Customers are lining up at this donut shop extra early so the owner can spend time with his sick wife.

Customers Buy Out All Donuts to Help the Shop Owner Close Early for a Heartwarming Reason

People who have been around for quite some time have a  special place in our hearts. Especially those we are acquainted with, may it be someone we know from school, work, or the local community; bank, convenience store, restaurant etc.

And with a relatable connection, we consider them as friends - and friends will do anything to help one another at all costs.

Just like this story, people in the Orange County neighborhood help a local donut store owner anyway they can. By buying all of the donuts in his bakery, so that he can close early for a heartwarming reason.

John and Stella Chhan worked together at Donut City for 28 years.

Donut City owned by couple John and Stella Chhan has been around in Seal Beach for nearly thirty years.

A lot of people have been purchasing donuts for quite a long time.  “John makes them fresh and brings them right there in the mornings. It’s a real American dream for them," a regular customer said.

But recently, however, customers noticed something unusual: Stella was nowhere to be found.

John Chhan, owner of Donut City.

John and his wife Stella have been running the donut shop for nearly three decades. Patrons entering the establishment were always greeted by the sight of Stella making donuts in the back room— but lately, she hadn’t been around. Upon asking John about her whereabouts, they are shocked to learn she had recently suffered a brain aneurysm and was moved into a nursing home.

John wanting to spend as much time as possible with his wife but can not afford to close the shop. Upon hearing the plight, their regular customers came up with a genius plan.

They had debated starting a funding website, but John immediately refused. As he prided himself on his hard work since coming to America as a Cambodian refugee. That’s when Dawn Caviola had a brilliant idea.

Donut City

John couldn’t leave the donut shop until he sold his all the donuts— or the day ended, whichever came first. But if he's able to sell all his product every morning, he’d be able to go see Stella. And Dawn's idea quickly spread.

Now, every day starting at 4:30 AM, customers flock to the donut shop to buy all of John’s donuts.

Usually, John’s completely sold out by 6:30 to 7:30 AM which allows him time to spend the rest of the day with Stella. Although the customers’ actions may seem incredible, they say they’re only paying back the “sweetness” they’ve received from the couple over the years.

John having conversation with a customer.

Their story has become viral in the social media, and they've been featured by local news.

With all the negativity in this world, small acts of kindness are often ignored. The story is a refreshing reminder that every bit of goodness counts. 

“There’s no such things as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”

- Scott Adams