Downtown at Donckers

Donckers has been a must stop destination in Marquette by both visitors and locals for over 100 years!

Austin Gatz holds trays of hand-crafted chocolates made at Donckers in downtown Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Dark chocolate caramels hand-crafted at Donckers. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Marquette, MI – Visiting Donckers at 137 West Washington may make you feel as though you have taken a step back in time, but it offers all of the best candy, food and beverages of today. Donckers has been open for the past 100 years, first with owners Mr. and Mrs. Fred Doncker, who passed the front door keys on to generations of their family and most recently in 2007, to current owners Jen Ray & Tom Vear.

Interior view from entrance of Donckers candy store. (photo by Ron Caspi)

In 2007, the ‘new’ owners decided to gut the place and have it fully restored to reflect it’s authentic charm and splendor. It features the original marble, wooden floors and tin ceiling. They also converted the upstairs living quarters into a thriving restaurant, added an elevator and took every stride possible to restoring the beauty that was already there.  They also take great pride in ensuring high quality of ingredients in their menu items and use local produce and meats in the restaurant whenever possible.

Mouth watering chocolate cherries hand-crafted at Donckers. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Donckers has the equipment and 3 experienced candy makers that make it their business to curb your sweet tooth. They make their own signature caramels, fudge and all natural chocolates. They were kind enough to let us get “behind the scenes” and capture the included imagery. It is quite the process, and to watch them work gives a whole new perspective to the complex art of candy making. They also will ship your order anywhere, which makes gift purchases even simpler.

Hand-crafted chocolate truffles from Donckers signature candy line made in-store. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Upstairs restaurant counter with large menu of yummy breakfast and lunch options.

Jen Ray and Tom Vear have also maintained the committment to ensuring a quality experience for their patrons by focusing on superior customer service. Donckers employs 35-40 employees, and owner Jen Ray says that it is only positive, high-energy people who need apply. They are extremely busy in the summer months, especially, and says that the job can be very physical, at times. She is extremely proud of her phenomenal staff because they know that the job is “all about the people,” and prides herself on instilling the sense of teamwork, like that of a well-oiled machine.

Emily Lanctot, marketing director of Donckers holds breakfast plates from their resataurant. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Chocolate counter display from Donckers. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Historically, Donckers has been known as a candy store, but now they have transformed into an even fuller experience bringing back the charm and ambience  from 100 years ago infused with a modern menu and world-class crafted chocolates all in one.  Viable all year round, they have become a destination for visitors to the Marquette Downtown District and regular treat for locals. They pride themselves on promoting the downtown businesses as a whole, and believe working collaborately with them to benefit the area’s residents and visitors alike.

Making chocolate at Donckers in Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner 7 days a week, Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Support this and every other local business, and it helps our wonderful community alive.

by Maggie J Shepeard

Maggie J. Shepeard lives, works and plays in Marquette, Michigan with her husband and four amazing children, ages 10-18. She’s been an avid writer since the moment she first picked up a writing utensil. Non-fiction novels are her specialty, but she can see a storyline in everything and everywhere that she looks. Often working under the pen name, “Kathryn Lee,” she’s had one book published and is under contract to complete two more before year’s end. She’s a full- time student at Northern Michigan University, in Marquette, with a Major in Multimedia Journalism and a Minor in Writing. She’s taken every English and Writing class that she can, but still learns something new with every new subject. Maggie enjoys traveling and camping with her family and looks at everything is life as an adventure. She’s a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan, and she can be found every Sunday (during the season) rooting for her team. Maggie is a “Yooper” all the way, and is originally from Powers, Michigan, although she’s also lived in both Cadillac and Escanaba, Michigan before finding her permanent home on the pristine shores of Lake Superior, right here in Marquette. To see more of Maggie’s work, or to reach her via email, please click the link below.

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