Ann Marie Green El's face was the first one customers saw when they came into her iconic Huntsville business for a fresh doughnut or hoagie.

Green El, known affectionately as "Nana," knew every guest who walked through the door, who their kids were and exactly how they took their coffee at The Donut Hole, which survived 20 years before closing down in 2005.

The Philadelphia native had a quiet, understated demeanor in her early life, but grew very funny, vibrant and fond of singing toward the end. Although she died in 2013, her presence lives on in her children and grandchildren, who are about to embark on a journey that would have made their Nana proud.

The Donut Hole will reopen this month in the former Daylight Donuts building on 4294 University Drive N.W., in Huntsville. Green El's granddaughters Teneshia LaRoda and Alimah Green, along with business partner Nicole Boonin, are bringing the town staple back to life 11 years after its closing.

"I think she thought, 'We came, we saw, we conquered,'" LaRoda said. "I would love to see the look on her face to see it all come together and to know it's happening again."

Green El, who moved to Huntsville in 1984 for work with her husband, David Green El, lived in a house in Sherwood Park right up the street from The Donut Hole on Old Madison Pike. LaRoda said she often walked to work to make doughnuts with her son, Mark, whose recipe set the foundation for the business.

Her obituary at Reynolds Funeral Home said she was "the reason many made sure they showed up before 9 a.m. to be greeted by her wonderful presence before heading off on the rest of their work day."

"No matter what she went through, no matter what problems she was having, she always had a smile on her face," Green's grandson and Donut Hole Chief Executive Chef Mark Green, Jr. recalled.

LaRoda, 33, said her grandmother's spirit is everywhere - from the bright pink walls to the slogan, "Serving Nana's Smile."

"Our whole thing is although our grandmother is not with us anymore, how can we incorporate it to where every guest still feels like they experience her presence anyway?" LaRoda said. "That was the huge thing, even down to who we hired and what our shirts say, which is 'Donut Worry, Be Happy.'"

The Donut Hole will serve housemade glazed, cream-filled, cake and specialty doughnuts, apple fritters, cinnamon rolls and twists, hoagies, authentic Philly cheesesteaks, hot dogs and more. Customers can keep up with The Donut Hole's progress on Facebook.

Green's survivors, who grew up working in the original location, hope to establish the same level of quality and service The Donut Hole was known for in Huntsville. LaRoda said every family member, even the little ones, has or will serve some in some role at the shop.

"Everything has to be a reflection of what she would have wanted or how she was," she said. "It's really about going that extra mile."