WAUWATOSA — Twenty years ago, Joey Carioti's, aunt and uncle opened Cranky Al's on a corner in Wauwatosa.
"Everyone in Wauwatosa believed in us since the start. I'm going, to be honest with you the donuts weren't the greatest when we first started doing this. So we can come a long way," says Joey, co-owner of Cranky Al's.
Time, family love, and some elbow grease eventually turned the doughnut shop into a delicious business.
"We miss the lines that wrap around the store, we miss shaking peoples hands, we miss all that," says Joey.
While still allowing walk-ins, curbside pick-up and carry out are the top options for customers during COVID-19. Along with a new menu item.
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"We created a quarantine box. It's six doughnuts, that comes with chocolate and vanilla icing, and three toppings. So we launched those and those have been a huge success and one main reason we are still going strong today," says Joey.
In a time when things are constantly changing, a ritual of morning coffee and a doughnut may seem insignificant. But for Cranky Al's it's everything.
"We believe in this community and the community believes in us. without them we are nothing. Because it's not just getting your doughnut and leave, it's 'hey how are you? How's Frank? How's Sarah?' That's what we enjoy here," says Joey.
Cranky Al's is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.