Cookeville’s Big O Donuts is scheduled to move to a new location later this month.
Owner Tom Bonning said the business has to leave due to the building being bought by an accounting office.
“The building got sold without being offered to us. I’ve been trying to buy it for the last eight years and they kept saying it wasn’t for sale and then all of a sudden they sold it,” Bonning said. “Then that person was supposed to be long term but seven months later they sold it again and then we got our notice to get our by the end of April.”
The new location is across the street from Saxony Apartments on Spring Street. Bonning said Big O have kept their current location for 47 years.
“We’re thinking positive, it’s on the main road so I feel like there will be more traffic that’ll stop in,” Bonning said. “I think it’ll turn out the best, it’s only one mile from here to there so it’s not that far.”
The new facility is currently undergoing renovations with walls put in place and restrooms.
Without Tech students returning and pandemic concerns, the business has taken a hit. Bonning said the cash flow has slowed significantly and the move is an extra strain.