EMILY COFFEY: Treats are always no people’s minds and as the holidays inch closer treats are the talk of the town. So, I went on a mission.
While on the hunt for the best downtown sweets I found a story that was about more than just the treats.
Glazed and confused began with a question. A question that the owner Paul’s son, Roman and daughter, Izabella who were 8 and 13 at the time asked him on the way home from a roadtrip. “Dad why isn’t there a donut shop like that in Syracuse?”
After some deliberation, Paul just had one requirement.
PAUL: The pitch was we’ll do a pop up as long as we give 10% to a charity and they work.
COFFEY: Glazed and Confused has stuck by that mission since they opened in 2016.
Impacting the community through not only their partnerships with charities but also their love for all those who walk through the door.
It’s employees like Hayden Cook who keep this spirit alive.
HAYDEN: People that came in earlier and they were like, man it’s just like a rainy day and I’m like ‘take a donut’. Like hey I threw the cinnamon sugar on the house for you.
COFFEY: Employee Chloe Phelps says that they get to impact the community every day when they enter the Glazed & Confused doors for a free coffee and donut.
Working here has opened her eyes to a side of Syracuse she’s never really seen.
CHLOE: I grew up like Cicero, North Syracuse area. So I would say it’s not that common over there like where you see that. A year ago when I came down here I was like oh my gosh this is like a completely different setting.
COFFEY: It’s safe to say Glazed & Confused leaves their costumers satisfied.
PAUL: I mean it’s hard to make someone upset, unless I mess up their order. So, if they so if they come in and get a donut… they usually leave smiling.
COFFEY: See, I told you this story was extra sweet.
Reporting from downtown Syracuse, I’m Emily Coffey for NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – A donut shop in downtown Syracuse came from unique beginnings and has stayed true to its initial mission.
Glazed and Confused began with a question that was asked by Paul Valenti’s children on the way home from a road trip after trying a great donut shop.
The question, “Dad why aren’t there any donut shops like that in Syracuse?”
That question asked by Valenti’s daughter Izabella who was 13 at the time and Roman who was 9, led them to a name and a business that has been growing since 2016.
The only catch was they have to donate 10% of the shops earnings to a charity that does work for the community. Glazed and Confused has kept that promise for seven years, working with charities all over Syracuse.
Chloe Phelps, an employee at Glazed and Confused loves that she can impact people every day.
“People came in earlier and they were like man it’s just a rainy day, and I’m like ‘Take a Donut. Hey, I threw this cinnamon sugar on the house for you,’” said Phelps.
Big or small Glazed and Confused has stuck by its mission and continues to grow. You can visit Glazed and Confused Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
