Synergy in its highest form has proved to be the winning combination for Chemshaw 13 DonutZ. & Comics, a new business venture on the Crown Point Square, which opened almost one year ago.
“This was my retirement idea. I originally just wanted a comic shop with a coffee bistro,” said Jason Sullivan, who has yet to retire from his job at an Illinois company. “But then I met my wife, who’s a pastry chef. There are some bakeries around, but they don’t offer what we have, and I’ve been selling comic books for more than 20 years. The timing was right.”
His wife and co-owner of the new business, Lynette Pisano-Sullivan, had transplanted to Indiana from California shortly before their marriage and was looking for an undertaking of her own.
A pastry chef by trade, Lynette’s creativity is evident each morning as she leads five doughnut-makers to design dozens of cake doughnuts and yeast-raised doughnuts in a wide array of flavors, colors and themes.
There’s the “Elvis,” with peanut butter and bananas, for instance, or the Chocolate Raised S’Mores, loaded with marshmallows and chocolate.
“I also offer a pie doughnut with a variety of fillings. It’s a yeast-raised doughnut sliced in half with an entire layer of fruit filling,” Lynette said.
This invention was developed after Jason commented that, although he loved jelly-filled doughnuts, he usually found too little filling. Problem solved with the pie doughnuts, which have proved to be a hot seller.
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When the Crown Point couple married three years ago, Lynette was in the process of developing a variety of doughnuts. What better time to test-market her designs than at her own wedding reception, which she did by offering a “Doughnut Tower” instead of a wedding cake. It was a huge success, and she continues to offer the towers for weddings.
When the couple exchanged vows, their wedding attire reflected their favorite superheroes: She as Wonder Woman and he as Superman. And the ballroom where the reception was held was adorned with superhero decorations. It followed that the marketing materials for their new store would show those characters in full color.
Younger children are drawn to the comic books, the Sullivans said. Most popular for girls is My Little Pony and for the boys it’s Superman. Sponge Bob comes in a close second for all of the kids.
The building the Sullivans lease used to house the Old City Bank, and the vault still is intact. It serves as the display area for the comic books and other items, and a second floor offers space for table games.
In addition to the kitchen bakers, the staff is rounded out with a store manager and three part-time cashiers at this popular spot across the street from the old Crown Point Courthouse.
“We are a hybrid store. It’s a bistro that sells awesome coffee and unique doughnuts — and a place to buy the latest trends in comic books, games and collectibles,” Jason Sullivan said. “I believe in quality over quantity, so there’s not a huge inventory of comic books. But if a customer is looking for something that’s not here, I can definitely order it for them.”
Chemshaw 13 DonutZ & Comics
Where: 138 S. Main St., Crown Point
Learn more: 219-323-3115 or www.Chemshaw13.com