Cops & Doughnuts: The Amazing Story of a Police Department, a Bakery, and the Comeback of a Small Town

by Greg Rynearson, Alan White, Anne M. Stanton

A story of how civic-minded police officers banded together and saved a historic bakery and put a small town on the map.
When the nine officers of the Clare City Police Department learned their town's only doughnut shop was closing for good, they sprang into action. The 113-year-old bakery was an icon and needed to be protected and served! Besides, there were already 11 empty stores in the three blocks of downtown Clare, Michigan. So, with no idea how to make doughnuts, run a business or where to start, the officers stepped up to save the doughnuts and, in doing so, revived a small town. They expected to simply keep the bakery open, but from day one, the bakery business exploded. They garnered national and international media attention, created three other locations, nearly went bankrupt, and came back stronger than ever. This book is more than an American success story, it's a lesson for fresh marketing ideas and how civic-minded people can make a difference in any town. Want to know how they did it? This is their story. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Greg Rynearson, a.k.a. Ryno, grew up in Clare, Michigan and serves as president of Cops & Doughnuts. He was drawn to the Clare Police Explorer Cadet program at age sixteen, inspired by his two older brothers, who served as auxiliary police officers with the Clare Police Department. Ryno had found his calling.
Alan White , a.k.a. Bubba, also grew up in Clare, Michigan and serves as Cops & Dougnuts’ vice president. He retired from law enforcement in 2013 after a thirty-year career in Michigan and Alaska.
Anne Stanton is the editorial director for Mission Point Press, a Traverse City, Michigan-based firm that provides a full slate of editorial, marketing and design services to independent authors. She has previously published Publish to Win , a marketing book aimed at independent authors.

230 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2022

About the author

Greg Rynearson, a.k.a. Ryno, grew up in Clare, Michigan and serves as president of Cops & Doughnuts. He was drawn to the Clare Police Explorer Cadet program at age sixteen, inspired by his two older brothers, who served as auxiliary police officers with the Clare Police Department. Ryno had found his calling.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice writing. I was interested in the bakery because I live without a 30-minute drive, and they published this book.

[Donna Kremer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like I was sitting at the roundtable for the last few days with a bunch of goofballs listening to their really funny and interesting stories. Just wish I had had a box of doughnuts! This book gives hope for every struggling small town with passionate citizens.

[Steve Kingsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having had the opportunity to work with and know all nine cop owners of Cops & Doughnuts I saw and learned the story first hand, or at least some of it. This book presents many of the stories behind the story in a lighthearted, matter of fact manner that makes the whimsical stand out and the real story to emerge. Certainly worth your time to read and enjoy.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look at the history of Cops and Doughnuts and how it has positively impacted my hometown of Clare, Michigan.

[Jodi Uplinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Loved hearing how this business started, their funny marketing ideas, and their pride in the product they make.