LAUREL, Md. — A popular Maryland donut and burger spot remains closed, unable to operate after a car smashed into the side of the business. Now, Laurel Tavern Donuts says reopening may be on the horizon.
Those hoping to get their hands on a tasty donut or iconic mini burger will have to wait a little longer though. Sean Kwon, the son of the couple who opened the shop 18 years ago, said they are planning to reopen tentatively by April.
Sean Kwon made the announcement on the online fundraiser page he started to help Laurel Tavern rebuild following the Nov. 30 crash.
Owner Will Kwon said he was inside the shop when a car came through the wall.
"I thought like a bomb exploded," he said. "I was very close to it. I was very lucky to survive."
The fundraiser raised more than $12,000 with 221 people contributing.
"The donations will be going towards repairs, building permits that will need to be created before repairs, replacing damaged cooking equipment," Sean Kwon wrote in a Feb. 12 update.
Many neighbors expressed thanks that no one was hurt inside, but hoping the shop would reopen soon.
"Such a Laurel institution and such dedicated people," one backer wrote.
Another backer acknowledged the history of the space. Laurel Tavern Donuts began its life as a fast food burger place called Little Tavern, similar to White Castle, serving mini burgers available by the bagful. The history of Little Tavern burger chain stretches back to 1927, with other locations in Baltimore, Arlington and D.C. The Laurel location is the last one standing. The Kwons still serve the iconic mini burgers on their menu.
"Their donuts and apple fritters are truly some of the best and it is great that they still offer the fondly remembered burger sliders from the former Little Tavern. A place like this needs to go on not just because of their food, it is a piece of history that has and can still bring happiness," wrote backer Stephen Reed.
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