Another one bites the dust: Daniel’s Donuts Portarlington closes

It comes after the chain’s Belmont location was forced to close less than a month ago.

Daniel's Donuts Portarlington has closed its doors. Picture: Alison Wynd

Portarlington locals fear the closure of Daniel’s Donuts on Newcombe Street will mean less tourists for the region, but industry leaders say the town has a whole lot more to offer then it did when the store opened in 2018.

The store sold its last batch of donuts on April 27, following the closure of Daniel’s Donuts in Belmont earlier in the month.

Daniel's Donuts Portarlington has closed its doors after seven years. Picture: Alison Wynd

Residents from across the region took to social media to mourn the loss of the Portarlington location, which has long drawn visitors in search of a sweet treat to the region.

“Is this for real? I love driving to Port for a donut,” one commenter wrote.

“We would take the drive to Portarlington especially. That’s very sad news,” added another.

There were very few signs that the store’s days were numbered, with chain owner Daniel Bartalotta telling the Geelong Advertiser two weeks ago that customers missing the Belmont location would still be able to get their fix at the Portarlington shop.

Speaking to the Addy, Tourism Geelong and the Bellarine director Tracy Carter said while the store had been a major draw card when it opened in 2018, “the tourism offer in Portarlington has evolved and matured in the past couple of years and there are a lot more experiences driving visitation”.

Pointing to the recently refurbished Portarlington Grand Hotel, the town’s popular mussel tours, and trendy new Pier Street and Arlo Wine Bar, Ms Carter said there was “overall a more dynamic mix of retail across the town”.

The recently renovated Portarlington Grand Hotel is just one of several new attractions in the town. Picture: Supplied

“Combined with the food and beverages being grown and made in the surrounding hills, it’s a compelling destination,” she added.

The closure leaves just one Daniel’s Donuts store open in the wider region, with a sign on the vacant Portarlington location telling customers “we look forward to seeing you at our Leopold Store at Gateway Plaza”.

The closure follows the chain’s announcement of a new partnership with 7-Eleven on April 12, which will see the treats stocked at convenience store locations across Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and the ACT.

Daniel’s Donuts founder Daniel Bartalotta was approached for comment.

Originally published as Another one bites the dust: Daniel’s Donuts Portarlington closes