Mariposa Market's iconic — and massive — Texas Donut isn't going anywhere after all.
Amid a wave of patriotism in the face of a trade war with the U.S., the downtown Orillia cafe had decided to change the name of their most popular pastry.
However, "after considerable deliberation, our donut bakers have decided not to rename our signature Texas Donuts," noted a social media post from the popular eatery this morning.
Instead, bakers have introduced The Grand Canuck Donut which will be displayed alongside the Texas Donuts that have been baked every day at the cafe for nearly 40 years.
"Our bakers felt it unfair to deny our loyal customers this Mariposa Market tradition that over a million people from around the world have enjoyed over the years — including our many friends in Texas," noted the social media post.
"Inspired by Canada’s crystal clear lakes, majestic mountains and proud people The Grand Canuck Donut, like our Texas Donut, is deliciously fresh, smothered in chocolate, but ever so slightly larger than its American neighbour donut," said the post of what they're calling a "new tradition."
Last week, Mariposa Market owner Bob Willsey posed the idea of renaming the donut on the store’s social media channels. What followed was an outpouring of engagement from customers eager to share their thoughts, suggestions, and enthusiasm for the change.
Willsey noted more than 1,400 name suggestions poured in, with more than 1,800 people engaging with the Facebook post.
“People really got into it,” he said. “The enthusiasm was incredible, and some of the name suggestions were really creative.”
Among the more patriotic submissions were names like the Great Canadian Donut, the Colossal Canuck, and Canada Eh Donut.
For a brief period, Mariposa Market tested a rotating series of names, including Canada’s Not for Sale Donuts. However, Willsey ultimately settled on the Bigger and Better Than Texas Donut, as a way to maintain the original Texas Donut branding while injecting a strong sense of Canadian identity.
In the end, the decision was made to keep the Texas Donut and create a new signature dessert.
“It’s been a great way to spark conversation,” Willsey said, “and at the end of the day, it’s all about celebrating Canada.”
— With files from Tyler Evans