Donut Shop Takes to the Halifax Streets with Mobile Truck
SPRYFIELD — When Ian Broscoe and Christina Arsenault were searching for a storefront to start the retail version of Total Donut Solutions, they encountered a common problem facing the Spryfield business community: a lack of commercial space. Everything that was available was too pricey for the couple.
“There’s not a ton of commercial space available in Spryfield,” said Broscoe. “Rents are high, like anywhere, and demand for real estate is so high … nationally that the same spike exists on the commercial side of things.”
“Most people I know in the business community who do have retail storefronts are paying quite a bit and their rent is often the single biggest monthly expense. It’s just a big deal. If that’s going to cripple my business and compromise the quality of life, then it’s not a good choice to go for that sort of mainstream option.”
In 2021, Bruce Holland of the Spryfield Business Commission told Huddle that HRM desperately needs a zoning review to create more commercial space. Today, he says he is still pressuring the municipality to commit to that goal.
“[Commercial land] was limited to begin with,” said Holland in 2021. “And the residential development has brought more people to the area and those people are looking for spaces to operate a new business.”
“Because of that huge residential development, there are companies and business people who recognize the potential in the Spryfield area and are opening new businesses…I get calls from developers pretty much weekly, asking if I’m aware of any spaces that are up for sale.”
After looking at creative alternatives, Broscoe and Arsenault settled on the idea of converting a large van into a mobile business. It’s an idea that has recently taken off for many businesses. Not long ago, a mobile barbershop launched in Halifax.
In 2021, Broscoe and Arsenault flew to Ontario with a one-way ticket and drove back a van. Using their network of skilled people, they turned an ordinary van into a mobile shop, named Coffee Wheelz, which serves up fresh donuts and hot coffee.
“It ends up being a bigger project than you envision,” said Broscoe. “And costing more and taking longer. We drove the van back here and started chipping away at it using people within our network who can weld and plumb. It took a lot of work but now it works exactly as we designed it to.”
The van officially started rolling in the Spryfield area in December of 2022. But now that the cold winter is over and Spring has sprung, Total Donut Solutions is doing more to get the word out that their business will be rolling down a street near you.
“We did more or less zero advertising for the first few years,” said Broscoe. “And now that we are ready to handle a lineup of customers so to speak, we decided to dabble just a tiny little bit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and it’s definitely had an impact right away.”
Even though the van is new, Total Donut Solutions isn’t. The business began as a wholesaler in 2018, selling its donuts and croissants to Halifax area cafes. But Broscoe and Arsenault eventually wanted to sell their products directly to the public and take advantage of higher profit margins.
During the pandemic, Total Donut Solutions pivoted to include Sunday home delivery to their options, which was a huge success. The couple continue the deliveries to this day.
In terms of what separates Total Donut Solution from a generic option, Broscoe says they make their donuts with care, and it will always taste fresh.
“I like to say it’s doughnuts for adults; they taste good, and they’re made with a lot more care and attention. And they’re also much fresher.”
And you can bet you’ll get great tasting coffee when you step up to the donut van. Arsenault spent 15 years as a barista. In fact, the couple met when Broscoe was a customer of Arsenault’s all those years ago.
Total Donut Solutions plan to have their van open three days a week, with Saturday and Sunday being their staple days in Spryfield, they will also be making some stops on the Halifax Peninsula from time to time.
To keep track of where the van will be set up, and the days it will be open, Broscoe encourages customers to follow them on social media.
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].