Ellington

Immediately after I entered Scurlock's Donuts, my vow to refuse any pastries placed before me became obsolete. Once the glazed donut hit my taste buds, it was love at first bite. And that was exactly what Mark Scurlock, the 46-year old owner of Scurlock's Donut's and Bakery, wanted to hear.

"I love seeing people enjoy what I create," Scurlock said. "I was born to do this."

Scurlock grew up in Webb, Miss., and attended West Tallahatchie High School. Following graduation, Scurlock attended Coahoma Community College where he was president of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. While there, he met his soul mate, Beverly. In 1984, they moved to Jackson, and they have lived here ever since.

The baker didn't start out in the donut business. In fact, it was a trucker's absence that paved Scurlock's road to delicious donut-making. One day in 1986, a truck driver asked Scurlock to help him unload some supplies at Baker's Dozen, the now-closed donut shop located on Old Canton Road. The driver never showed, but the owner of the shop asked Scurlock if he wanted to work for him instead. Scurlock accepted the offer despite having very little donut knowledge.

After gaining experience, Scurlock left to work for a different donut shop. When his boss refused to give him a raise he had promised, Scurlock decided it was time to open his own place. Scurlock's Donuts and Bakery officially opened January 1989.

Since then, Scurlock has been fattening up Jackson (myself included) by serving not only donuts, but also buttermilk cakes, cinnamon rolls and his favorite, cinnamon twists.

"Won't find them anywhere else. They are a one-of-a-kind treat," Scurlock said.

Jacksonians voted Scurlock's goodies "Best Donuts" in the JFP's 2009 Best of Jackson poll, but they are not the only fans of Scurlock's goodies. Scurlock has welcomed entertainers such as Bobby Rush and Gary Grubbs into his shop. Scurlock also donates donuts to the Stewpot Community Services, Billy Brumfield Shelter and local churches.

"I believe in supporting the city of Jackson. In order to be a prosperous city, you have to spend your money where you live,"
he says.

When not baking, you can find Scurlock fishing at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. He also enjoys attending sporting events with his wife and children, Lutaya, Mark Jr., Marquis
and Tiffany.

"The secret to my success has been having my wife as a partner in the business. It has been great having her support all of these years," he says. When I asked him about retirement, Scurlock chuckled.

"My retirement is to keep making donuts. So, I won't retire. I'll keep making donuts. It's just something I enjoy.