The Fairfax Girl Team 
Shipley Do-Nuts, the Texas-born doughnut shop known for its handmade doughnuts + kolaches, has officially opened at 256 Maple Avenue E in Vienna. The new shop is run by brothers Peter and Brian Lemek, who are bringing the longtime Houston favorite to Northern Virginia after opening Shipley locations in Maryland. Read on for more about Shipley Do-Nuts and what Vienna neighbors can expect.
About Shipley Do-Nuts
Shipley Do-Nuts first caught the Lemek brothers’ attention because of the brand’s history. “What we really liked about Shipley was how long it’s been around,” Brian told The Fairfax Girl. “We figured it was around that long down in Houston for a reason.” The brand has been a staple in Houston for decades, and its menu keeps things classic without being boring. Everything comes from the same dough, and the doughnuts are handmade from scratch daily.
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Shipley is also known for its kolaches, a Texas favorite that may be less familiar to some Northern Virginia residents. The brothers admitted they were in the same boat at first. “When we originally went down there, we had no idea what a kolache was,” Peter said, laughing that he once called it “a galash.” After a month-long training in Houston, both Peter + Brian are kolache pros. Editor’s note: a kolache is a Czech-inspired pastry made with yeast dough and filled with sweet or savory fillings.
Why Vienna
The brothers are from Maryland, with Peter now living in DC and Brian in Rockville. Their father is also in the franchise world, operating Panera Bread locations in Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware, so the food business was already familiar territory. Brian had been working in the industry, while Peter had been pursuing his own career. Eventually, the two started looking for a different concept to build together.
After signing on with Shipley, they opened their first store in 2023 in Odenton, Maryland, near Fort Meade. The location was a hit, especially with Houston transplants in the military community who already knew the brand. The move into Northern Virginia came through an option with Shipley corporate, and Vienna quickly became the next stop. “We were excited to get down here and try something new,” Brian said. The brothers said they have spent the past few weeks getting to know Vienna, walking up and down Maple Avenue and taking in the local scene. Family ties helped, too. Peter has in-laws from the area, and the brothers also have cousins in Arlington who gave the location a “double thumbs up.”
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The Vienna shop is a bit of a test for the brothers. Their Maryland stores are standalone locations with drive-thrus. This is their first inline storefront without one. “The biggest difference with this being in Northern Virginia is our stores in Maryland are all standalone, and they all have a drive-thru,” Brian said. “So it’s a little bit of a test for us on how that’ll work.” Still, the brothers are excited about the Maple Avenue spot and the foot traffic that comes with being in the heart of Vienna.
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The menu includes Shipley’s signature doughnuts and kolaches, all made fresh daily. The brothers said the simplicity of the menu is part of what drew them to the brand in the first place. “It’s all handmade, scratch every day,” Brian said. “The bakers get in at 2AM and put their love into it.” The doughnuts include classic cake + glazed, sprinkles, filled doughnuts, and specialty items like bear claws, apple fritters, and twists. The kolaches are savory, with varieties of egg, cheese, sausages, jalapeños and more as fillings.
Shipley’s coffee menu is worth a look, too, including cold brew plus several seasonal specials that are basically doughnuts in liquid form.
Shipley Do-Nuts is now open at 256 Maple Avenue E in Vienna. It is open seven days a week from 5AM to 5PM.
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