by Charlottesville29

A MarieBette baker is bringing a Jersey-style donut shop to Charlottesville.

It was not even four years ago that Melissa Sbrocco (pronounced “sprock-oh”) began exploring the idea of turning her passion for baking into a career. But, after joining the MarieBette baking team in August 2020, she was hooked.  “Over the next three years, my knowledge of bread-making transformed from the basics that everyone picked up during the lockdown sourdough craze to a comprehensive understanding,” said Sbrocco. She had a knack for it, too — such a knack that, by 2022, she became Manager at the MarieBette manufactory. Now, she is taking the next step: running her own place.

Why donuts? The idea came from MarieBette’s owners, Patrick Evans and Jason Becton, who have fond memories of donut shops from their time living in Jersey City, where seemingly every strip mall is sprinkled with them. Sbrocco has similar memories from visiting family in New Jersey, and spending summers on the shore. “Donut shops and local bakeries were a staple for every trip,” she said.

Besides, donuts have become a bit of a tradition behind the scenes at MarieBette. Since cakes abound at a bakery, a practice evolved of celebrating employee birthdays with something different: donuts. That got the wheels turning about creating a donut shop like the ones they remembered from Jersey. “It didn’t hurt that there is a real demand for donuts, especially yeasted ones, in Charlottesville,” And so, Sbrocco’s was born.

This is not the first time MarieBette’s owners have teamed up with an employee to open a new place, who did the same with Petite MarieBette. “We have been lucky over the years to have such a wonderful team at MarieBette,” said Becton. “When Melissa started with us, we knew early on that she was a talented baker, great leader, and someone we would want to partner with to make Patrick’s donut shop idea a reality.”

Sbrocco’s donuts are yeast-style, using a basic brioche recipe shaped into donut rings, proofed, cooled, and then fried. As a baker, her emphasis is on attention to detail and quality, not elaborate toppings. Case in point is her personal favorite: the classic vanilla bean glaze. “The best part, of course, is the vanilla bean glaze,” said Sbrocco. “Heavy on the vanilla.”

Beyond those, Sbrocco says to expect “no frills classics, like glazed, chocolate cake, and crumb buns.” And she is nearly as excited about the location as she is the donuts. Sbrocco’s will occupy a portion of the former home of Anna’s Pizza #5, the beloved spot that closed in 2022 after a five-decade run. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to open in such an iconic space, and hope to spread the same joy Anna’s did, but with donuts,” said Sbrocco.

Look for Sbrocco’s to open by Summer 2024. Meanwhile, follow along on Sbrocco’s Instagram.


Article courtesy of  The Charlottesville 29.