CAROLINA BEACH — While Labor Day may indicate the end of summer is near, in southeastern North Carolina, it’s also determined by the seasonal closure of one of Pleasure Island’s most revered donut shops.
Just like the opening of Britts Donuts every March unofficially welcomes spring and the impending tourist season, its closing after Labor Day weekend is the indicator of a quieter boardwalk in Carolina Beach. It marks the arrival of “locals’ summer” — when the days are still warm, the beaches are less crowded, and the locals stock up on dozens of donuts to freeze through the fall and winter until 2025’s season opening.
Britts Donuts is open on Labor Day until 5 p.m — or until the donuts run out — with the final weekend of operations taking place Sept. 6 through 8. Closing times, again, could alter depending on product availability:
- Friday, Sept. 6: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 7: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 8: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In operation since 1939, Britts is owned by Bobby Nivens and has been recognized nationwide by Food + Wine, Our State, Saveur, and National Geographic magazines. The donut shop is best known for its glazed rounds and only accepts cash. Lines snake down the boardwalk annually on opening day and throughout the season.
Read more about the restaurant’s history from a 2021 piece published by PCD here.
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