Krofne offer a diverse range of vegan and non-vegan, Croatian-style donuts. Photo: Branka Prodanovic.
Canberra’s favourite donuts for a difference are now available at Westfield in Belconnen and Woden. Offering a diverse variety of traditional Croatian-style donuts, with both vegan and non-vegan offerings, the new Krofne stalls already have locals lined up north and south of the city.
Owner, Danijela, originally started the business as a means of providing employment opportunities for her son Anthony, who was born with down syndrome. Danijela says she “feared for Anthony’s future after he finished high school” because of challenges in gaining employment for people with a disability.
With this in mind, Danijela decided to give up her nine-to-five job in the public service and start baking donuts full-time.
Danijela with her daughter and son at the Niche Markets in Fyshwick. Photo: @zees.grams
“We got our first stint at the Old Bus Depot Markets and [grew] from there. The product was going great and Anthony was helping out every Sunday. Then we thought, ‘well we’re producing quite a lot of donuts’. People were coming to us asking us for more products so we decided to hire another person with down syndrome. Then more opportunities extended from there…”
Krofne has since popped up across Canberra including at the Niche Markets in Fyshwick and at Gungahlin Marketplace. It means that these delicious balls of doughy goodness are available in places never too far from any Canberran.
In a previous interview, Danijela said that expansion was never a set goal for Krofne. However, given the support the business has received over the last year or so, it became inevitable. Danijela is particularly grateful for the community’s support of what the business does.
“Somebody once told me, and it’s so true…anybody can open a donut shop but why are they opening it? What’s their purpose? It’s personally rewarding when I see my shop has people there lining up and I’ve got my daughter and my son [helping out].”
Krofne are also offering a range of Christmas themed donuts! Photo: Branka Prodanovic.
The team at Krofne have now employed a large number of people with disability across Canberra.
Krofne’s initiative won them the 2018 Chief Minister’s Award of Inclusion in Business, just days after opening up their new stalls at Belconnen and Woden. It’s simply another indication of the wonderful work the team do in the Canberra community.
Krofne donuts will be available at the Westfield in Belconnen and Woden until Christmas. You may even treat yourself with a festive donut, covered in green and red sprinkles, and decked out with Santas and candy canes.
Krofne are also available at the Niche Markets in Fyshwick and at the Old Bus Depot Markets. You can follow the full Krofne journey on Facebook and Instagram.
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