After more than 40 years of business, Puck’s Doughnuts has closed their doors for good. The now vacant space just off of Lithia Way will become a second location for Case Coffee Roasters.
A typed notification from former Puck’s owners, Be Khamphanh and Chandra Hay, hangs on the door informing customers of their “family decision…to move out state.” The note informed customers that Puck’s Doughnuts will remain in business at their two other locations in Phoenix and West Medford.
For Case owners, Jim and Kati Case, this will be the first expansion for the coffee bar and roasting company. The original shop, located across the street from Churchill Hall on campus, has been in business for 11 years.
The Couple plans to open the doors at their new location by Jan. 1st of next year. Kati Case said the decision to expand was an opportunity that, “kind of found us.” She explained, “Several weeks ago, out of the blue, I received a call basically offering us the chance to take over the lease on Puck’s.”
According to Kati Case the new location, “will be more ‘donut-focused.” She said, “Puck’s Doughnuts supplied freshly baked donuts to Ashland for over 40 years at that location, so we aim to continue the tradition.” Case’s new selection of doughnuts will be supplied by Donut Country. Donut Country, open since 1990, is a singular doughnut shop located in central Medford.
The new location will include a bit of a mash-up of styles. Case described the look as, “Northwest meets Scandinavian meets mid-century modern.” The woodworking will all be completed by local carpenter Nick Daniels.Renovations are already under way at the new location. A picture on The Case Coffee Roasters’ Instagram page offers a look inside.
As a result of the closure, the 7-Eleven on the corner of Whitman and Siskiyou and will no longer serve Puck’s Doughnuts. The new sign on the corner store’s pastry case reads, “Proudly serving Donut Country Doughnuts.”
The Landing, a market attached to SOU dining hall, will not carry Puck’s Doughnuts either. According to employees there, they are currently searching for a new doughnut vendor. Until then, only packaged doughnuts are sold.
Senior, James Marcotte, was shocked to hear about the closing of Puck’s. He bought Puck’s donuts from either 7-Eleven or The Landing. “Puck’s isn’t the best doughnut I have ever had,” he said, “but they are always consistent and good.” When asked if he would go to the new Case location, Marcotte replied, “I might try it once, but I am hardly ever downtown.”
