It was like a tsunami of memories of my hometown, Binghamton, NY in a 48-hour period, and it took me quite by surprise since I usually don’t think that much about the place.
ITEM: There’s a guy named John who remembered my parents and grandmothers. He’s been following me on Facebook for the last few months. He attended the church I attended, Trinity A.M.E. Zion in the hometown, and was in the junior choir about a decade before I was, under the direction of Fred Goodall, who was there for decades.
John had a good friend named Butch Skeene, (b. 1940) also in my church junior choir before I was, who performed in the music business from 1958 to 2013 in that area and beyond. I’m sure I’d heard him perform at some point; I know one of my sisters did quite often in our Binghamton days. Anyway, he died this week of cancer, and I was oddly saddened, as though I had lost a relative.
ITEM: I’m at the dinner table, and suddenly I remember these doughnuts we used to get when my sisters and I were kids, either white powder or plain. Three rows of four, with a cellophane top so you could see inside. I remembered that the logo was blue and white, but I couldn’t remember the BRAND name.
I wrote to my sisters and the elder of them remembered. I found this article from 2009:
After doing an Internet search, I’ve discovered a whole world of upstate New York Baby Boomers all in a desperate search for Spaulding Krullers! Apparently I wasn’t the only one hooked on these wonderful doughnuts with their delicious nutmeg flavor
More informative was this piece from an Oneonta newspaper last year:
Another iconic doughnut was the Spaulding kruller. They came in an unmistakable orange- and white-striped boxes. This was “our” doughnut because their bakery was in Binghamton, their distribution center was on Market Street in Oneonta and they could be found in every mom-and-pop store in every community no matter how big or how small.
They mastered the art of making the sugar doughnut. Rather than just being a snowy dust ball that ended up flaking all over your new shirt, the Spaulding sugar kruller had a mysterious paste-like quality to it that allowed the sugar to stay (mostly) on the doughnut and not on your clothes. Spaulding eventually went out of business, being bought up by Stroehmanns and today is owned by (believe it or not) Bimbo Bakeries!Spaulding krullers still come in the familiar orange-and-white-striped box that carries their company slogan, “famous for flavor.” It may be just me but now that they’re made by Bimbo they don’t taste anything like the ones that came out of the bakery on Exchange Street in Binghamton oh those many years ago.
How the heck did I forget that striped box? I DO recall that, unlike most powdered sugar donuts you’d eat now, the powder DID stay with the donut, as also noted in this piece and this one. Apparently, Bimbo has discontinued the brand at the end of last year, alas.
ITEM: My baby sister saw a name on Facebook and the surname reminded her of Binghamton, where she hasn’t lived since 1974. I knew of some of these folks too, but the kicker for me is that the very first girl I ever kissed, named Mary, had the same surname. It may have been a mistletoe-fueled passion, and nothing ever came from that moment, but still..
ITEM: What’s Goin’ On in Binghamton. A newish website, about six months old.
Thanks for the GREAT article, Roger. As mentioned previously, one of my many WONDERFUL mentors as a young “know it all, sing at the drop of a hat, or play ya’ a tune on my Clarinet or Sax” brat (smile)…yes a mentor for me was Mrs. AGATHA GREEN, your Grandmother…So many times, in addition to my Parents, Mrs. Green, your Dad/Mom, and so many others, I thank GOD for the influence they had on this “Little Colored Boy” (smile)…I’m sure so many are looking down on you from above..so PROUD …Hey, I’m proud of you too!
ROGER, OUR COMMON LITTLE CITY AND RELATIVE YOUTHFUL TIME SHAPED OUR MEMORIES TO BE KIN. MANY OF US ARE DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF BUTCH. TO HAVE EVEN A CASUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM WAS, TO SAY THE LEAST, PROFOUND. ALSO, ON THE WAY TO ST. MARY’S SCHOOL I WOULD WALK BY EXCHANGE ST. AND PASS SPAULDING’S ALL THE TIME IN THE EARLY 60s. LOVED THEIR KRULLERS. WHO DIDN’T?
Just want to share this beautiful version of the classic song from West Side Story as done by Childhood Friend, who I have known since he was 10 and I was 8 both singing in the Junior Choir at Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Binghamton NY…Then later being a part of a few entertainment groups, he singing, me playing tenor sax…Then he staying “in the business” for an overall 55 years (1958-2013) …BUTCH SKEENE (1940-2014)…”SOMEWHERE”…https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=562892283807197
Roger, I’m glad I heard about Butch’s passing from you. Somehow it was easier to take, you know? His version of “Color My World” was IT. Always smiling, nobody’s fool, a bit of trouble with the juice – but who didn’t in those days? I sure as hell did. Butch was someone with whom, no matter how long it had been, I would always share a heartfelt hug. We were both singers, and that was a special bond… plus, of course, the hometown connection.
Spaulding Krullers. You warned me you’d be posting on the subject. I looked at the picture of the box and almost cried again (once for Butch, once for fond food memory). The plain ones, dunked in black coffee… HEAVEN. So much better than the lightweight, greasy spools of today.
Great post, Roger. Butch, rest in peace, my friend. Amy
Wow! Memories! Anyone remember these http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/321539568375?roken=cUgayN&soutkn=3IoSme
I remember tgese from when I was a kid they were awesome they don’t make tgem like tgey used to people don’t know what tgeir missing
Spaulding Krullers are still sold in the Elmira/Corning area.
They were my favorite. I had them a few years ago but they weren’t anything like what I remembered. Hot chocolate(or chocolate milk) and krullers was my favorite snack when i was a kid. Maybe I can find a box of the original on eBay or something.lol
I am looking for Corny Fields,from our home town of Binghamton.I also have found memories of Bitch,he dated my cousin Patty for many years.If anybody can help plz let me know on Facebook,Maryellen Culp-Friedman.Thanks very Much.Gidget
I hope my comment came through…looking for Corny Fields
I want donuts!
Former Spaulding route driver loved thekruellers I. Came up 28th the idea for a two pack krueller Spaulding went out. Business Nov 81 the krueller was sold to milbrook bakery and when thay went out stroemans bought them and bebo bought stroemans no preservatives in any of their products
Roger, thank you so much!! I have been writing a poem for a while now and “needed” to fill it in with the Krullers… The photo brings back so many memories.
FYI, I just bought Spaulding Krullers today at Weis Market in Binghamton.
Hi I was a mechanic at the Spaulding terminal in Danbury Ct until it closed in 1979 and everyone that I know misses the Spaulding Kruller in the orange and white striped box with the see through cellophane window on top.
I have a summer home in Andes NY and I would like to know where I can buy Spaulding Krullers
Any town in Connecticut or the Catskills , please help me find a store that sells them
Thanks. Nick Potenziani
Nick – back in 2009, there was a reference to them at the GIANT grocery stores in Binghamton. However, there is a real dispute online whether it’s the same recipe. I have to check it out next time I’m there.
Where can I purchase Spaulding donuts in the 13807 area code
Trying to find whe e I can purchase Spaulding Donuts in my area: loved them for a good number of years and now can not buy them here !
I grew up outside of Scranton and now live in NC. My husband and I just sat down for our first apple cider and powdered sugar donuts of the fall season and got to wondering about Spaulding Krullers. Thank goodness for the internet and hometown bloggers! I recall the donuts as full size in a single row in the box. We had a neighbor who loved to make the joke “Smells like krullers, don’t it? Thanks for the fond memories!
Maybe it was the nutmeg that made them smell so distinctive?
So much fun to read this blog. I grew up in Johnson City,NY. I remembered the Spaulding donuts fondly? My mom would go to the store and buy a lot of them . She would put them in our freezer. I learned how to get in the box and close it back up. She wouldn’t know till they were almost gone. They were the best donuts I have ever had. What fun reminiscing . Thanks
I’m originally from n.e. Penn. & often think about Spaulding crullers & donuts. I really loved them they were the best store bought donuts . I try to describe them to people but it’s very difficult. I miss them. Thanks for the memories.
Are they made anymore in Binghamton or anywhere near Corning or Elmira? I loved them and would love to buy some.
Thank You
I would like to get some spalding dounuts
Where can I find these donuts can you please let me know . I would love to get some
I used to buy Spaulding Krullers at Jubilee Grocery Store in Horseheads, NY. This past week I went to buy some ad I was in Town and the said they didn’t make them anymore. Please tell me this isn’t true
I am one of the 1940s generation and to this day would givr any thing to have a Spaulding cake doughnut. Is it possibe to buy a dozen or so? Would love to know.
Thanks a bunch
I contacted Bimbo Bakeries. I was told they were discontinued by them over 6 years ago
“We will let our team know you would like to see them back.”
“We do not give out past recipes in case we bring the product back.”
I was just looking for Spaulding Krullers this morning so thought I would go online to find them and look what I found!!!!!!! Many others who love them as I do. Growing up my parents had a small grocery store in Smithville Flats, NY and sold these donuts. I remember the Spaulding bread truck came and brought these and the driver placed them on our bread rack. I am not a donut person but these are not the donuts you find by other companies. Weis (formerly Giant), did not have them today but they were the last store that I knew that carried them. Please let me know where to buy.
Pearl- I wrote to Bimbo bakeries in the past month, who bought out Strohmann’s, who had bought out Spaulding. Bimbo discontinued them 6 years ago; you should bug Bimbo to bring them back. Someone said the Spaulding krullers were available at Weis’ grocery store on the south side of Binghamton, but I have not had this verified by someone I know IRL.
Born and raised in Binghamton, Live in Redding Ca. now and think of Krullers from home. My aunt would send them to me after we moved here in 1968. Have not had a great donut sence.Great grandparents lived in Like St. one block from Spauldings, loved the aroma coming from the bakery.?
Born and raised in Binghamton, Live in Redding Ca. now and think of Krullers from home. My aunt would send them to me after we moved here in 1968. Have not had a great donut sence.Great grandparents lived in Liel St. one block from Spauldings, loved the aroma coming from the bakery.? Happy New Year Everyone and would like to find out that one day soon they will bring back the Mighty Krullers.? again.?.PS, I have made a big hit in ca. with Spedies a big to do in Binghamton, and from my Italian roots.?
I was raised in middletown Ny and we had a spaulding Bakery around the corner from our house my mother would send me there to buy the kruller cake donuts in the orange and white stripe box they were the best ever the white cake donuts now are not the same please help me to find them again
These are the best donuts I’ve ever had in my life I sure do wish they still made them and you could buy them somewhere
My father used to bring these home after he was done driving the school bus and before his regular job started. So many happy memories st the sight of this box.
I was born and raised in Binghamton. My father had a family business that was a small Italian grocery store. It was called Masciarelli’s. It was on 168 Susquehanna Street. It is now called Farmers Insurance. My name is now Mcneilly.
Was raised in hazleton, pa. And miss the Spaulding white donuts to this day. I am 85 now and can’t find them any where here in New York. If anyone has info on the white Spaulding donuts please let me know. I wish Amazon had them. I would love my grandchildren to taste how good they are.
Grew up in Binghamton/Johnson City area and moved away. When we used to go back and visit. there was two things we had to get, Spaulding donuts and speedies. We would take several boxes back when we would leave. Found out they had closed, but Giant groceries had bought the recipe. Then Giant groceries had closed. So no one sells Spaulding donuts that I know of.
I am in my 60s and remember my fathers sister giving me $5 to go to the store. My Cousin came with me and we bought a box of Spaulding Donuts and had Bologna and Cheese on Wonder Bread 1st . We ate the whole box of donuts and had a huge sugar high. These Donuts had so many great memories to me .
My grandfather worked at Spaulding Bakery in Oneonta, NY. My family loved Spaulding Krullers! Our favorite was the powdered sugar kind. When my favorite uncle moved to Florida I would freeze boxes of the krullers and then mail them to him for his birthday and Christmas. He was so appreciative! Several years ago I was happy to find them sold at Weis in Vestal, NY and also at the Freihoffer’s Thrift Store in Vestal–possibly around when Mark Zieno who commented above found them in May of 2017 or maybe even as recently as 2018. I was interested to hear one person say that Bimbo was going to hold onto the recipe in case they decided to bring the donuts back, and yet another person said that Giant had purchased the recipe. I’d like to know if the latter comment is true, and if so where is the recipe now that Weis bought out Giant? If any detectives out there can find the answer, please post. I’ll bet there are many of us (like myself) who would pitch in to purchase the recipe and see them manufactured again! Let’s start a movement: Bring Back Spaulding Krullers! Thanks for this great blog thread!
I grew up on Spaulding Crullers. As a boy, I lived on Mill Street and would often hike to the top of the hill to the Hotchkiss mansion. I did chores for Mrs. Hotchkiss, learned how to drive a standard shift on her jeep. The mansion was a beautiful home on top of the hill overlooking Binghamton. Mrs. Hotchkiss was the owner of Spaulding Bakeries at the time, I believe. She was a generous, sweet lady. She always welcomed me when I hiked up, if she was home.
Loved Al Robbins’ story! I don’t know how long Spaulding Bakery was in existance, but during the Depression years my grandparents lived in Oneonta, NY. I know that my grandfather worked as a janitor at Spaulding’s in Oneonta, but not sure of the exact years. The story I’m about to tell deals with bakery goods–possibly Spaulding Krullers. In those days there was a lot of poverty and there were “hobos” who would hop the trains and go from town to town looking for work. My grandmother used to place bakery items for the hobos on her back porch. I heard stories of my grandfather bringing krullers and other baked goods home from the bakery. I imagine they allowed the workers to take day-old items home with them. My mother told me that there would be an image of a cat drawn in chalk on the sidewalk in front of her home that meant that a “nice lady lives there” meaning that the hobos could go there to get food! I was always skeptical of that family story until I actually read that this was indeed something that hobos would do. I’m proud to think that my grandmother was kind to these men and I’ll bet a lot of them got hooked on Spaulding Krullers!
I worked at Harris Foodlines in Corning 1973-1977. I was the bread aisle manager for part of that time. We stocked Spaulding Krullers and they were a favorite of mine too. I now live in WI and am 67. Things always change and not necessarily for the better. Greeting to all the boomers from the southern tier of NY.
Rodger
wisconsinpuzzle.com
Does anyone remember Roy Ettinger and his school of guitar that was on Chenango Street (Weeks & Dickinson Building)? In the late 1990’s I started to take electric guitar lessons from Roy. I may have been his oldest student at the time. I was in my 40s. I believe Roy played lead guitar in a band in the 1970s in the Binghamton area. He said it wasn’t glamorous. Low pay, and had to dodge beer bottles thrown by the drunk and disorderly in the local dives. He was a talented guitarist and a one-of-a-kind human being. Unfortunately, after the fact I discovered he passed away a few years ago. I’m wondering if anyone remembers Roy from his days playing in the area? I’d love to hear your memories. His band may have been called No Quarter (for some reason that sticks in my mind–could be wrong). I think he’d be around 70 now….elaine
Has the recipe ever been published?
When I worked at a supermarket in the late ’60s and early ’70s while in high school and college, there was an mischievous phantom in the store that was attracted to the cellophane window on the orange stripe box and got great pleasure popping it with his finger. The phantom was raised in a family where it was a sin to throw away perfectly good. Having this admirable character trait and being altruistic, it (preferred pronoun) would move the box to the breakroom as the box was now damaged and could no longer be sold to the public. There, ever surprised employees would have to decide what to do with the krullers to keep the phantom pleased and isolate his proclivities to just one product. To wit, “let them be eaten!”
Priceless! Although…as a former retail clerk and person who tries to “follow the rules”, my love for Spaulding’s Krullers encourages me to wink at this misdemeanor! After all, wasn’t it simply another advertising tactic attesting to the deliciousness of the product? “Hey, gang! It’s already opened, so enjoy!” Please, somebody find the recipe! Please, somebody revive this wondrous product. I will be forever indebted to you!