The smell of sugar. The sound of espresso beans grinding. Train horns in the distance. Sugar Mama’s Mini Donut Shop, which opened recently near Winfield’s train station, offers locals a new spot for sweet treats and a cup of coffee.
Robin Veca, owner of Sugar Mama’s Mini Donut Shop, opened the store seven months ago in Winfields’ downtown area, but her journey began 15 years ago at local events, where she and her husband sold popcorn before moving into donuts and coffee.
“What do people get early in the mornings at farmers’ markets? They get donuts and coffee. So, that’s how I got started doing mini donuts,” Veca said.
The shop at 27W460 Chicago Ave sells an assortment of mini donuts. Customers can choose from the larger, three-inch Mighty Minis or the bite-sized one-inch donuts. Toppings range from cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar to candy, cereal, sprinkles, and swirls. A Mighty Mini costs $1.85 each, with a dozen to 20 count boxes available. The bite-sized one-inch donut costs $4 for half a dozen to $30 for a bucket of ultimate mini-donuts.
Sugar Mama’s does not just offer donuts, however: the shop also serves coffees with a variety of syrups, other drinks, soft serve ice-cream, and even avocado toast and other food items.
The shop’s decor features a flower mural with a light-up cupcake top poster, and a montage wall showcasing Veca’s journey. There are seating options inside and outdoors.
“Mighty Minis are the most popular, since they’re all a cake donut; it’s your toppings that make the flavor. [A] classic would be cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, and ultimately is considered of the variety the large variety of different toppings that we have,” Veca said.
Veca added that her own favorites lean toward richer flavors. Among those toppings, one stands out to Veca as especially joyful.
“I love peanut butter and chocolate, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love Bavarian cream or raspberry jelly, which we have too. Then, we also serve coffee, because I think coffee and donuts go well together,” Veca said.
Customers say the variety sets Sugar Mama’s apart
“Well, it’s different because they’re like, mini. You wouldn’t find a lucky charm donut at Dunkin,” Gumaro Correa, a senior at West Chicago Community High School said.
On Yelp, some customers praised the service and atmosphere.
“Stopped in to get a coffee and some donuts for work. The employees are SO nice and spent time talking with me to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted. They had decaf coffee and were able to make a delish latte. The space is decorated so cute as well,” Paige N. said.
Another reviewer offered a less positive take: “I got the cinnamon roll donut and strawberry cheesecake. They were mediocre at best. Very overpriced. Cute atmosphere though,” Lexi S wrote.
Customers can find Sugar Mama’s Mini Donuts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
That online presence has caught the attention of high school students, some of whom say they want to visit, but struggle with the hours.
“I am very interested in checking out the spot. I never really have time to actually check out the spot, because I notice it closes at 2 pm and it’s usually open during the time I work,” senior Melissa Lara said.
The shop’s hours are:
Monday – Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.