Local Spotlight: Pop’s Donuts in Milford, Ohio

At UpLift, we believe great communities are built by the people and small businesses that call them home. Our Local Spotlight series is dedicated to highlighting some of the businesses that make the Cincinnati area such a unique place to live, work, and visit. For our first feature, we’re introducing Pop’s Donuts in Milford and the story behind its owner, Donald.

Whether you’re stopping in for a classic glazed donut, picking up treats for the office, or ordering baked goods for a special occasion, Pop’s Donuts has become a familiar stop for many in the Milford community. As a veteran-owned bakery, Pop’s offers fresh donuts every weekend along with cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, and custom orders made with hometown pride.

A Bakery With a Story to Tell

While Donald officially became the owner in November 2025, his connection to Pop’s Donuts began several years earlier. He first walked through the door after noticing a Help Wanted sign while on his way to a hunting trip. At the time, he was working at LensCrafters in Eastgate and wasn’t specifically looking for a career in baking. Since he was already accustomed to staying up late, making donuts during overnight shifts seemed like an opportunity worth trying.

That opportunity quickly turned into something much bigger. Donald discovered that he genuinely enjoyed baking and learning the craft on a larger production scale. What started as an overnight job eventually grew into a passion, and after several years working behind the scenes, he had the opportunity to purchase the business and continue its story as its new owner.

Continuing a Milford Tradition

Pop’s Donuts has a history that stretches back well before Donald took ownership. The location has operated as a donut shop through several different owners over the years. Today, Donald is proud to carry that history forward while putting his own stamp on the business. Like many small business owners, he quickly learned that running a bakery involves much more than making great donuts. Building a strong team has allowed him to balance the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of ownership while continuing to spend time doing the hands-on work he enjoys most.

Creating Award-Winning Donuts

One of Pop’s biggest moments came when Donald entered the Cincinnati Bake-Off. After some encouragement from a friend, he decided to apply and created a homemade apple pie cronut for the competition. The unique pastry earned first place and introduced many new customers to the bakery.

The recognition brought a noticeable increase in visitors, with people traveling from farther away to try the award-winning creation. Donald also found himself making plenty more homemade apple pie filling to keep up with demand. The competition gave Pop’s additional exposure and helped even more people discover the bakery.

Simple Favorites Still Matter

Although Pop’s has become known for creative pastries like its cronuts, Donald’s personal favorite is still a warm glazed donut. Sometimes the simplest recipes remain the most satisfying, especially when they’re made by people who genuinely enjoy the craft.

That passion is easy to see throughout the bakery. From starting as an overnight baker to eventually becoming the owner, Donald’s journey reflects the dedication, hard work, and willingness to learn that often define locally owned businesses.

Visit Pop’s Donuts in Milford

If you’re in the Milford area and looking for fresh baked treats, Pop’s Donuts offers a wide selection of donuts, cookies, pastries, and custom orders. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve been stopping by for years, you’ll find the same passion for baking that has helped shape the bakery’s story.

This is just the beginning of UpLift’s Local Spotlight series. We’re excited to continue sharing the stories of local businesses and the people behind them as we celebrate the communities that make the Cincinnati area such a great place to call home.