David Lee wants to bring his fresh donuts and hamburgers to Oxford, but before he can feed anybody, he needs a thumbs up from the township planning commission.
A public hearing regarding Lee’s request to operate a drive-through window at 1090 S. Lapeer Rd., the former site of the Country Chopping Block, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center.
‘I just hope the community will support me,? said the 40-year-old Rochester Hills resident. ‘I’m more than willing to listen to what they have to say. I’d like to be a part of the community.?
Lee, who purchased the building in August, plans to turn the now-defunct local butcher shop into In-N-Out Donuts & Burgers.
His plan is to sell donuts, along with assorted pastries, muffins, bagels, croissants and maybe breakfast sandwiches, in the morning, then switch over to a simple menu of burgers and fries for the afternoon lunch crowd. ‘We have a good product that will fit the community,? he said.
Given the building is located on the west side of M-24, Lee hopes to capitalize on all the morning rush hour business as folks head south on their way to work.
‘I thought the location is right,? he said.
Although his establishment would have space inside for some sit-down dining, being able to operate a drive-through window is absolutely crucial to drawing in those morning commuters who are always in a hurry.
The building’s C-2 (General Commercial) zoning does allow for drive-through facilities, but only with special land use approval from the planning commission.
Lee is no stranger to the donut business. He’s owned and operated Knapp’s Donuts in downtown Rochester for 13 years and a second location in Troy for 10 years.
His secret to success is making the donuts fresh every day from scratch, just like the little man in Dunkin? Donuts? classic ‘time to make the donuts? television commercials.
‘I think that’s what distinguishes our products,? Lee said. ‘Hopefully, the customers (in Oxford) will appreciate that.?
If Lee gets the approval he needs from the township, he’s hoping to open his new eatery ‘as soon as possible.?
Although he doesn’t have an exact figure yet, depending on how business goes, Lee’s hoping to hire five to 10 employees to run his new location.