Here's what will replace Donut Circus in Fort Pierce that closed in April after 48 years

A new restaurant will replace the old Donut Circus in Fort Pierce that closed in April after 48 years.

Mohammed Nasser of West Palm Beach bought the building at 2040 S. U.S. 1, just north of Virginia Avenue, to open a fast-food restaurant serving fried chicken and seafood. He said it’s not a chain and yet to be named.

He said he hopes to open this year after renovating the building, which was built in 1970, according to the St. Lucie County property appraiser's website. It originally housed a Maryland Fried Chicken restaurant.

Donut Circus: Fort Pierce institution closes after 48 years

A similar restaurant nearby appears to have closed in December. Crispy Fish and Chicken was less than 2 miles south of the Donut Circus, in a former Long John Silver’s restaurant on U.S. 1.

In 1976, Robert “Robbie” Small was driving to Jacksonville from his parent’s home in Palm Beach County when he saw the building was for sale. His parents had a doughnut shop called Donut Circus in West Palm Beach, and he wanted to start his own businesses. He made the doughnuts and his parents helped after they retired.

In 2007, Small sold the business to Les Limback. In 2010, Limback sold it to Ernie Sao, who ran it with his wife, Sophie, for 14 years until he decided to retire.

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New restaurant: Chicken, seafood to replace Donut Circus, Fort Pierce