ORANGE, CONNECTICUT, April 4, 2025— Co-owners Robert El-Hage and Chris Cassese cut the ribbon to officially open the very first Duck Donuts in Connecticut and only the second in New England. Located at 350 Boston Post Road, Orange, customers craving for warm, fresh donuts took their turn ordering “cookies & creme,” “strawberry confetti,” “bacon in the sun,” and other specially crafted donuts.
Joining Cassese and El-Hage were Barry Lee Cohen, CEO of the Amity Chamber of Commerce; Orange First Selectman James Zeoli; State Representatives Kathy Kennedy (R-119) and MJ Shannon (D-117); Annemarie Sliby, Executive Director of the Orange Economic Development Corporation; Clifford Lynch and Stephen Francis, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Woodbridge Economic Development Commission, and; Amity Chamber Board of Directors member, Scott Prud’homme. A large flock of customers, Amity Chamber members, and Duck Donuts team members made for a robust ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Kennedy and Shannon presented a citation on behalf of the Connecticut State General Assembly, congratulating El-Hage and Cassese and wishing them much success.
Zeoli thanked El-Hage and Cassese for choosing Orange, and noted that the franchise is a “welcome and wonderful addition” for both the Orange business and local community.
As stated on the corporate website, Duck Donuts “believes in sprinkling love into the community!” The company’s “Our Quack Gives Back” program encourages each franchise to make a difference in the neighborhoods they serve, should it be through fundraising or other ways to raise awareness for important causes that impact the community.
Coined by El-Hage as the “Disneyland of Donuts,” Cassese said, “we’re proud to bring a fresh and fun concept to this family-friendly town.”
Cohen said, “Rob and Chris have opened more than a donut shop. There’s absolutely no doubt that Duck Donuts will become a fabric of the community. The Chamber welcomes Duck Donuts and looks forward to collaborating on some sweet initiatives that will engage and support the region.”
In addition to made-to-order donuts and pre-made dozens, Duck Donuts offers specialty coffee drinks, milkshakes, donut ice cream sandwiches, and other sweet treats.
To learn more, visit
https://www.duckdonuts.com/orange
