Q&A with Kristie Derda
What’s it like to take over an institution as revered as Alljoy Donut Co.? Just ask the new owners. Blufftonians held their breath when news broke that it had sold last year. Thankfully, new owners and Wisconsin transplants Troy and Kristie Derda have kept our beloved tradition alive, adding their own delectable flavor to our town.
We spoke to Kristie about their transition to the Lowcountry.
Q: What brought you to Bluffton?
A: My husband, Troy, and I have two sons in college and thought the timing was right to make a change. We really could have moved anywhere, as Troy works from home, and I kept hearing about Bluffton when we focused on South Carolina. We decided to make Bluffton home within a few hours of arriving to explore the area!
Q: How did you balance change and keeping what people loved?
A: We trained with Bill and Donna (Ellis) for several weeks before they moved to Florida, and their advice was invaluable: which doughnuts were the most popular and should be offered every week, etc. We’ll always have apple fritters, Reese’s, maple bacon, etc., but it’s been a lot of fun coming up with new recipes and ideas. Our collaboration with Burnt Church Distillery has been amazing, and there’s always huge demand when we create something with one of their delicious moonshines or their bourbon cream.
Q: What’s your favorite doughnut to eat and why?
A: I love anything with chocolate, so I have plenty of great choices such as our salted caramel or buttercream with chocolate frosting, but I love a great cinnamon roll, and our cinnamon spirals are so, so good!
Q: What do you miss most about Wisconsin?
A: We miss our wonderful friends and family in Wisconsin, but we’ve had so many visitors. Everyone who visits mentions wanting to live in Bluffton, and we feel so fortunate to have made it our new home. The doughnut shop has been an incredible way to meet people, and everyone is so welcoming and kind.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the Lowcountry?
A: The people, beautiful surroundings, great food, and endless options for listening to live music or attending a festival. Troy and I have become members of the Bluffton Paddle Club, and I continue to golf with the three lovely women I met during our golf clinic, so we’re really taking advantage of the fun options Bluffton offers.
