MPW.76 - Fruhlein Chrys Econar

The Lonely Donut Maker

Fruhlein Chrys Econar

Team Eisert

Story Summary

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Try Chan, a former military man-turned-baker, is continuing the relentless task of running a donut shop solo after a series of personal and financial difficulties. Last year, his home burned down in a fire that killed his wife and daughter.

Try’s story is as much about endurance as it is about loneliness. He already stands apart as the only Cambodian in town and sometimes struggles to communicate with others.

Amid the stresses of keeping his 9-year-old business afloat, Try wakes up everyday at 2 a.m. to open his shop. His commute is short: a mere few steps away from the back of his bakery, which he converted into an apartment after the tragedy. Try’s days are solitary despite the company of part-time employees and regular customers. He keeps to himself, preferring to handle a majority of the shop’s tasks, and has a hard time forming deep friendships in Kennett, Mo.

Try Chan, 54, fulfills a drive-through order in the early hours of the morning at his donut shop, Mr. Chan Donuts, in Kennett, Mo. He opens the 9-year-old business to customers everyday at 4 a.m.

Try rolls dough into balls before pressing them into donut shapes. He makes at least 30 dozen donuts a day.

Donuts are shaped using a steel cutter rolled across a sheet of dough. Try said he makes donuts because it’s easy. “Why donuts? It’s freedom.”

Try carries a tray of kolaches to the display case of his donut shop. Nathaniel Lopez, 23, who works for Try part-time, accompanied him.

A group of gentlemen meet at Mr. Chan Donut Shop. The daily gatherings started as a way to support Try after his wife and daughter died in January 2023.

Try displays a photograph of his wife, Samnang, and daughter, Amelia, on his phone. Try said he was unable to see his wife and daughter the day they died in January 2023 because he was sleeping and left for work early in the morning.

After closing up his donut shop in the early afternoon, Try eats alone at Grecian Steak House. He often eats only one complete meal a day.

Try sweeps the floor of his shop. He prepared to lock up for the day before going to a restaurant to eat.

Try sweeps old donuts off the floor of his shop. Try said he sends them to his brother-in-law to use as feed for chickens.

Try relaxes and watches television on his couch at home after work. After his house burned down, Try converted a storage area in his donut shop into a two-bedroom apartment where he now lives.

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