When Aaron Badalato, his wife, Anne, and their young daughter left Denver in search of a slower-paced lifestyle, they didn't plan on becoming Colorado's unofficial donut royalty.
But nearly 15 years after Aaron stepped away from a career in finance, the family's breakfast spot, Sweet Coloradough, was named the 19th best donut shop in the country by Yelp's elite members -- ranking higher than any other in Colorado.
The leap into the food industry wasn't a lifelong ambition. It was, as Aaron puts it, a craving.
"This place wouldn't exist if it wasn't for my desire for a good apple fritter," he said, laughing.
That apple fritter launched what would become one of Glenwood Springs' most popular destinations. But recognition, Aaron said, was never the goal.
"From day one, we've always focused on the highest level of quality, highest level of ingredients, highest level of pay -- so we can ensure the highest quality of people working," he said. "But the amount of volume we saw from day one caught us off guard. In a town of 10,000, we're sometimes selling 5,000 donuts a day."
The Badalatos opened their shop on South Glen Avenue in 2012, filling a decade-long void for fresh-baked donuts in Glenwood Springs. Since then, Sweet Coloradough has expanded into Eagle, Rifle and Grand Junction.
"Whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch or doughnuts, Sweet Coloradough goes the extra mile to ensure every bite is delicious," the shop's website says. "Nearly all items are made from scratch by hand with love in the Rocky Mountains of Coloradough."
The donut shop has gone through an enjoyable character arc in its 13-year, but still pubescent, lifespan. The Sweet Coloradough logo, which started out as a symbol of Aaron Badalato's thirst for an apple fritter and reuben sandwich has evolved into the unofficial insignia of Glenwood Springs.
Beyond donuts, Sweet Coloradough now serves breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and lunch items, and includes a full bar and merchandise. For Aaron, it's all about joy -- his and his customers'.
"The restaurant business is hard, and it's one of those jobs that never gets easier," he said. "But I don't have to do it -- that's what makes it fun. If I wasn't enjoying it, I wouldn't keep doing it. That really helps me focus on service and providing that smile factor."
The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, unexpectedly created space for growth.
"We had to remove all of our seating during the pandemic, which opened a lot of space, both inside and in the parking lot," he said. "Faster turnover in the lot meant more customers, and we were able to capitalize on the brand. That helped us become a Glenwood Springs staple."
Sweet Coloradough has become part of the rhythm of life in Glenwood, Aaron added -- especially during special occasions.
"From a tourist standpoint, they're already looking to shop, so we fit right in," he said. "But from a local standpoint, it's amazing that people come here to celebrate birthdays, holidays -- really anything."
Now, the Badalatos are planning to return to their pre-pandemic roots -- and move a little closer to downtown. They've purchased the former Subway building on Sixth Street and plan to relocate from South Glen Avenue. The new location will offer more seating, better foot traffic, a larger parking lot and a drive-through window.
For now, Sweet Coloradough's Glenwood location remains open at 6 a.m. daily on South Grand Avenue and closes at 2 p.m., or when it sells out. During graduation season, the team is preparing up to 5,400 donuts a day.
For more information on hours, locations or merchandise, visit sweetcoloradough.com.