For the past three decades, pink striped boxes and bags with doughnut hole art have been filled with sweet and colorful treats from Capitol Donuts. On Sunday, that will be true, for the last time.
Capitol Donuts, a mom and pop’s doughnut shop at Stockton’s College Square at 1221 W. March Lane, will close its doors permanently on April 28.
“To my loyal customer. Thank you for your support for the last 31 years plus,” a letter hanging on the shop’s door states. “Capitol Donuts will close permanently on April 28, 2025 last day April 27, 2025. Lost of lease.”
The letter was signed off, “Your friend, Ly Pour Lim.”
‘It’s gonna be sad to see them go’
Bert Soske, 65, stopped at Capitol Donuts on Thursday.
“I’ve been a regular since 1995,” Soske told The Stockton Record. “There’s large stretches where I don’t come because I’m not supposed to have them. But when I heard they were closing the last month and a half or so, I’ve been coming in about three times a week.”
His order is apple fritters, filled maple bars and doughnut holes.
Soske said he heard of the closure on Facebook. He said hearing the reason for the closing was what was more upsetting.
“The rent is all going up, and so they have to close, but they’ve had a long stint,” Soske said. “They’ve been here since 1993, so they’re not too upset, I guess.”
He said he plans to be back one or two more times before the permanent closure. He likes their apple fritters, he said.
“They’ve always been very kind and polite, always having a good selection. It’s gonna be sad to see them go,” Soske said.
Jon Vangay, a physical therapy doctorate student at University of the Pacific, said that while he is not a Capitol Donuts regular, he would have become one if he could. He said he learned of the closure when passing by and decided to “show some love” to the business before it closed.
Vanessa Santos, who is also a physical therapy doctorate student at University of the Pacific, said they bought maple glaze, chocolate with sprinkles and glazed doughnuts to share.
“We’re not really regulars, but I’m always for supporting local businesses. It’s really sad to see one like this go especially given … that’s what defines the community and brings people together,” Vangay said. “So support your local businesses.”
Liam legacy in Stockton
For many Stocktonians, the shop has been a go-to place for doughnuts. It’s also part of the Lim family legacy.
Lim was only 16 years old when, in 1975, the Khmer Rouge killed his parents, sister, and brother in their village outside Phnom Penh, The Stockton Record previously reported.
“In the four years that the Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia, it was responsible for one of the worst mass killings of the 20th Century,” according to BBC News.
Lim fled to Thailand, where he would live for a year in a refugee camp before he immigrated to America. He was the only one in his family who made it out.
He ultimately got married, started a family and bought into the shop.
From 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., Lim worked making doughnuts, The Stockton Record reported in the past. He would go home, nap and return to the shop. He did it over and over, seven days of the week, for many, many years.
On March 20, Facebook user Mayra Uribe-Romo, wrote in the public Facebook group Stockton Crime, News And Information #SCNI that Capitol Donuts was closing.
“Will be closing its doors at the end of April, please let’s show their owners appreciation by showing up for the remainder of the time left,” Uribe-Romo wrote. “This was the first place I ever bought a donut and will be forever missed in my heart.”
Many others in the community shared the sentiment, sharing their own stories of going to the shop from a young age to their favorite donuts and thoughts on the owners.
“The best apple fritters. Very nice people. Hardworking. Sad to see them go. Now I gotta find a better fritter,” Ynot Atlavan commented.
“My mom used to take me and my sister there when we did laundry as kids,” Claudia Ramirez said.
“My favorite place!!! Wow. They’ve served our community well,” Enedina Angelini wrote. “I’m definitely stopping in to say encouraging words and my thankfulness.”
Capitol Donuts will be open 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for their last weekend on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
