VIDALIA — Jerry’s Donut Shop customers have asked owner Loyce Hale for seating and parking since 2007.

With Hale’s recent acquisition of a larger building on Carter Street in front of the Concordia Parish courthouse, Hale said she’ll finally be able to give her customers more space.

“These customers have been knocking on our window loyally and faithfully for six years, and now I’m finally going to be able to give them the sit-down room they’ve been asking for,” Hale said. “I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I bought the building from Jerry (Wooten).

“I’m just so excited.”

Hale said she began searching for a larger location four months ago in hopes of finding a place to accommodate the customers who often quickly fill the small parking lot and form long lines outside.

After seeing a vacancy sign on a building in between the Hair Hut and Weeks Warehouse Furniture, Hale said she signed a lease the next day.

While Hale said the decision to sign the lease came and went quickly, something a customer told her a few days later made her realize it was the correct decision.

“I told one of my customers about the new location and he said, ‘Well you know that’s where the doughnut shop used to be,’” Hale said. “I remembered Jerry being in that building when he first opened, but the thought never even crossed my mind until that customer said something.

“The first doughnut sold at Jerry’s Donut Shop was sold in that building, so we’re taking it back there.”

The new location, Hale said, will offer seating for 50 people, more parking spots for customers and more cooking space for employees.

“We’ll be able to get it out a lot quicker with all that space,” Hale said. “My girls are going to love that.”

But even with more space, Hale said she will offer the same level of customer service customers have grown accustomed to at the shop — starting with one amenity she chose not to include at the new location.

“When I started to sit down with the contractors they asked me if I wanted a drive through, and I thought and prayed about it for three days but finally said, ‘No,’” Hale said. “I could have had the drive through because that building would be perfect for it, but I don’t want to lose that one-on-one connection with our customers.”

Hale said she hopes to have the new location open and serving doughnuts, burgers and sandwiches by May. The current location will remain open and operational until the new location opens, she said.

“Ever since the word got out that we’re moving, all the customers seem really excited,” Hale said. “I think it’s going to be fantastic.”