ABC 17 News Investigates

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia donut shop is expected to reopen after lightning struck its electrical box.

However, the owners are also going to open another location in Columbia.

From one, to zero, and now two locations, it's been anything but a sweet ride for Donut D-Light owners Cindy and Kevin Hicks.

In August, the donut shop's power went out. Cindy said Ameren discovered lightning had struck its electrical box on the outside of the building.

While they planned to reopen right away, it wasn't an easy ride.

"Our freezer had thawed out, made some water damage." Cindy said.

Eventually, the husband and wife duo found a way to bring delight to an otherwise glazed over situation.

"We've looked for 13 years for another place in Columbia that we liked," Cindy said. "We haven't been able to find one. And then so, you know, we're probably out of business….. Two hours later, we saw this unit had become available.”

"This unit" is on West Broadway, about 5 miles away from Donut D-Light's older location on Vandiver Drive.

“It's got to be quality and customer service," Cindy said, referencing her donuts. "If you don't have those two things, we don't want our name attached to it. “

Kala Wekenborg-Tomka, the environmental health supervisor with Boone County/Columbia Public Health Department, said the donut shop was given its operating permit last month. Cindy said they are waiting on a few more things to be finalized before they reopen the old location and open the new one.

“We're the best-kept secret in town," Cindy said.