Lane’s Bakery to close; Dunkin’ Donuts opens Madison store

Longtime Madison bakery to close Sept. 29

MADISON, Wis. — While one Madison mainstay for pastries and sweets is about to close its doors, another well-known name is opening back up shop in Madison.

Lane’s Bakery on Park Street will close at the end of September. Meanwhile, after 16 years without, Madison will have a Dunkin’ Donuts store.

A grand opening was held Wednesday for the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise on Gammon Road near Watts Road on Madison’s west side.

For customer Jessica Eisenmenger, the wait for Madison’s own store spanned nearly a decade.

“I went out to Boston to visit a friend of mine,” said Eisenmenger. “She had raved about Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. When I tried it, I was shocked. I thought for years that she was full of it.”

“Probably a good couple thousand people have stopped through the day so far,” said Alexandra Mahairas, store assistant manager at Dunkin’ Donuts. “And we’re open 24 hours in our drive-through, so lots more to come today.”

At Lane’s Bakery, patrons enjoyed a relaxing afternoon with pastries and coffee.

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“Generally, we meet for coffee and a doughnut every afternoon,” said longtime customer John Vraga.

“I’ve been coming to Lane’s since I was probably in ninth grade in high school, picking up chocolate doughnuts for mom when they were located down the street,” said Gary Mork. “The doughnuts are addicting.”

Beyond the kringles, sprinkles and pastries, Lane’s owner Chuck Lane said it’s camaraderie that’s kept his family’s 58-year-old business successful.

“It’s in my blood,” Lane said.

Lane said his decision to close the shop at the end of September is bittersweet.

“We got a good offer on the land, and there’s a lot of development on Park Street right now,” Lane said. “This place is going to be missed.”

The final day at Lane’s is set for Sept. 29.

The new Madison Dunkin’ Donuts, at 739 S. Gammon Rd., will be open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a 24-hour drive-through.