Stan's Donuts - Bay Area's Best!

Stan's Donuts, a Santa Clara landmark since 1959, has captivated the hearts of locals with its rich history and tasty treats. In this video, Vinicius Brasil takes us on a journey through this fantastic establishment, unveiling everything from Stan's origins to the secret ingredient that makes their donuts the best!
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Vinicius Brasil - Santa Clara Real Estate Guy
408.582.3272 - Direct Number
[email protected]
http://SantaClaraRealEstateGuy.com
http://theBrasilGroup.com
Book an appointment with Vinicius:
https://tidycal.com/vbrasil
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Stan’s Donuts Website:
https://www.stansdonutshop.com/
News footage:
https://www.ktvu.com/video/1093570

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Born in Lodi in 1927, Stanford Wittmayer, also known as Stan, cherished his humble upbringing in California's gold country, particularly in Angels Camp. As a teenager, he relocated with his family to San Francisco and later joined the Navy, where he served in Hawaii during World War II.

After the war, Stan returned to the Bay Area and settled in the East Bay. It was there that he found employment with Lucky's Supermarket in Oakland, CA, and serendipitously met Tina, his future spouse and business partner. Despite their young age—Stan was 22—they tied the knot after a three-month courtship. As their family expanded to include six children, they briefly lived in Castro Valley before permanently settling in Santa Clara.

Stan embarked on his donut-making journey at Scotty's Donuts in Sunnyvale, where he honed his skills in crafting delectable pastries and learned the importance of using top-quality ingredients. Years later, seizing an opportunity, Stan purchased "Sally's," a donut shop and lunch counter in the Mariposa Shopping Center. In 1959, at the age of 32, he proudly inaugurated Stan's Donuts. Apart from serving delectable donuts, the shop offered a variety of lunch items. Stan's commitment to his business was unwavering—he personally oversaw all aspects, from baking to ordering supplies, servicing equipment, and managing finances. Tirelessly working seven days a week, he would rise at 3 AM to ensure that the donuts and coffee were fresh for his early morning customers before attending to the bustling lunchtime rush. Meanwhile, Tina skillfully cared for their nine childrenAs the children grew older, they joined the family business, assisting customers, cleaning, and making donuts.

Stan's Donuts became a popular stop for Santa Clarans. As their children grew older, Tina had the opportunity to assist Stan at the shop, becoming the friendly face of Stan's Donuts. Tina's presence and rapport with customers contributed to the shop's success.

In the early seventies, Richard, one of the eldest Whittmayer sons, returned from service in Vietnam and began working at the shop full-time. Stan passed on the knowledge he had acquired from Scotty, entrusting Richard with the role of head baker.

During the 1980s, the Mariposa Shopping Center underwent renovations, necessitating Stan's Donuts' relocation. Stan moved the shop toward the end, using much of the original fixtures and equipment. Around this time, Stan passed down the business to Richard. Richard carried forward his father's principles, ensuring the continuity of Stan's legacy.

Over time, business around the donut shop changed, with the relocation of Kaiser and the emergence of other lunchtime eateries in the vicinity. Consequently, the lunch business at Stan's Donuts declined. However, the demand for their donuts continued to grow. Recognizing this shift, the decision was made to focus solely on being a donut shop.

In 2000, he hired Carmen Lopez, who has remained with Stan's ever since, serving customers, fulfilling orders, and supervising operations. Furthermore, Richard trained Carmen's husband, Jesus Lopez, in the art of donut making, passing on the family tradition.
As Richard retired, the responsibility of preserving the Wittmayer legacy fell to Julie and Cathy, two of the youngest daughters.

On February 12, 2011, Stan Wittmayer passed away, and a little over two months later, Tina joined him.

For over 60 years, Stan's Donuts has been an integral part of Santa Clara, receiving numerous awards, media coverage, and celebrity visits, all while being praised in countless articles. It has become a beloved institution, serving multiple generations of Santa Clarans who swear by the unparalleled quality of their donuts.