Fair Days for Lerch's Donuts

  • By: Karen Skubik
  • September 15, 2013
  • 452
                        
Not many businesses can make 30% of their annual income in just six days, but one favorite local establishment can. According to Joe Snyder, co-owner of Lerch’s Donuts since 1995 with his wife Gail, preparation for the six fast-paced days of The Wayne County Fair is “never-ending”. Working out of several locations on the fairgrounds, including a permanent building situated in a prime spot next to the Grandstand, members of this family-owned business can be observed making donuts right in front of your eyes. After purchasing two dozen hot fresh donuts, Ruth Archer said matter-of-factly, “Everyone says they’re dandy”. This must be true judging by how the business has to scale up for the event. During a typical (non-fair) week, the Snyders employ six – eight workers, but the numbers swell to 45 to meet the demand of Lerch’s products during the early September fair. In fact, the trailer closest to the west entrance is open 24/7 with patrons running in just to pick up a few dozen donuts on their way to work. On average Snyder said, “we plan for 1000 dozen a day”, but just as the Fair Board reported record attendance numbers on the first day of the fair, Snyder reported their “biggest (sale) day ever on Saturday”. To staff the operation, friends and family step up to help. Daughter Rachel Synder who has been making donuts since she was 11-years-old, guessed she works 100 hours fair week, but was in good spirits when she reported, “I love it. It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year” citing both the camaraderie among workers and getting to reunite with people she doesn’t normally see. Pam Leonardi, job coach with the Wayne County Board of Development Disabilities, takes time off to work at the stand and said, “The Synders are the nicest people”. Apparently others agree since some staff members have been working during fair week for 20 years – even using vacation time from their regular positions to do so. Founded in 1932 by John Lerch, Sr. when he “developed a method of frying soft cake donuts that are not greasy at his downtown Wooster bakery”, the business continues to look to improve and modernize. Snyder explained, “We are always looking forward and back; always trying to do better”. A comment on their facebook page states, “You can’t buy happiness, BUT you can buy Learch’s Donuts and that’s kind of the same thing”. This was probably true for a family overheard when leaving the Wayne County Fair saying, “We can leave now – Papa’s got his donuts”. In other word, their experience was now complete. If the thought of hot, fresh pumpkin, cinnamon, or sugar donuts is calling you, a visit to Lerch’s website lists the upcoming events they will be attending with their travelling trailer including Ramsyer Farms and Woosterfest, but from March through November, cravings can be satisfied by visiting their well-known spot in front of the former Hawkin’s Market at the corner of Portage Rd/Back Orrville Rd and SR 585.


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