Doughnut Shop Sells Out of Sweets After Son Shares Photos of His Father's Empty Store on Twitter
A newly-opened doughnut shop in Texas sold out of sweet treats just days after the owner’s son tweeted about his “sad” dad during the shop’s empty grand opening.
Billy’s Donuts, located in Missouri City, Texas — outside of Houston — celebrated its grand opening this past weekend, but the lack of customers prompted Billy By to take matters into his own hands.
By shared photos of the empty doughnut shop on Twitter on Saturday, writing, “My dad is sad cause no one is coming to his new donut shop.” The post showed pictures of Billy’s Donuts’ cheery yellow interior, close-ups of glazed doughnuts and an empty parking lot with the sign “Grand Opening.”
The tweet subsequently went viral, with over 320,000 retweets and 730,000 likes as of Tuesday morning, and celebrities including Casey Neistat and actor James Woods amplifying the tweet.
My dad is sad cause no one is coming to his new donut shop ???? pic.twitter.com/y5aGB1Acrc
— billy's donuts (@BillysDonutsHTX) March 9, 2019
— Casey Neistat (@CaseyNeistat) March 10, 2019
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Twitter users expressed their sympathy for the doughnut shop and for By’s father. Those living in the area around Missouri City showed up in droves to buy themselves a treat and, according to one user, by Sunday afternoon the shop had become “really busy.”
The grand opening banner and empty lot is what got me
— Jenna ?? (@_jennaplot) March 10, 2019
I went on Friday! Your parents are very nice!
— thaomai (@Thaomai) March 9, 2019
Dude it was really busy when I went too!! His mom was talking about how she usually knows how much to make in a day but today she didnt expect the turnout???????????? and the boudin kolaches are SO good pic.twitter.com/tBKbTCI9ZQ
— maleeha (@femaleeha) March 10, 2019
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The next day, By updated fans on Twitter, saying that his dad’s shop had completely sold out.
“Just wanted to update yall! We completely sold out of donuts and kolaches! You are all amazing,” he wrote on Sunday. “I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out and supporting local businesses. This means so much to my family.”
Just wanted to update yall! We completely sold out of donuts and kolaches! You are all amazing. I can't thank everyone enough for coming out and supporting local businesses. This means so much to my family ?? pic.twitter.com/o3GQcKvVnG
— billy's donuts (@BillysDonutsHTX) March 10, 2019
Then, on Monday, the doughnut store was sold out again after representatives from Twitter stopped by to pick up the tab for the morning’s customers.
You donut want to miss out on Billy’s and neither do we! We’ll be there tomorrow morning ??????#LoveTwitter https://t.co/NpTAXW4R53
— Twitter (@Twitter) March 10, 2019
Forgot to mention, thanks for buying out the shop for our customers too! ??
— billy's donuts (@BillysDonutsHTX) March 11, 2019
According to NBC News, By’s father Satharith By came to the United States about 20 years ago as a refugee from Cambodia. He opened his first doughnut shop in southern California, but had to sell it to a relative after By’s mother got sick.
After she recovered, the family opened their new shop in Texas.
“He came here about 20, 30 years ago to find a better life and this is it,” By told NBC, referring to his dad.
“Right now, I’m very happy,” By’s father said.
