Hypnotic Donuts Closure

Hypnotic Donuts, an inventive doughnut shop in East Dallas that regularly had lines out the door, has closed on Garland Road.

For over a decade near White Rock Lake, Hypnotic served fried chicken biscuits, kolaches and doughnuts worthy of wide-eyed surprise. Canadian Healthcare was a maple long john topped with a slice of bacon while the Espresso Yo’Self was a chocolate cake doughnut with coffee icing, caramel drizzle and coffee grounds.

The shop was equal parts kooky and alluring, and it became a dessert destination — a place customers would drive across town to eat a glazed doughnut slathered with peanut butter or injected with raspberry filling.

History of Hypnotic Donuts

James St. Peter opened the shop in the early 2010s, initially with no sign. Still, customers flooded the restaurant, fueled by interest on social media.

St. Peter sold the business to Bruce Labona in 2019. He considered selling or closing it this year, the landlord confirmed.

Hypnotic Donuts’ menu items were often sweet, often large and all photogenic.

New Development

The space has been leased to JuiceLand.

Simon Smith says, “Chubby Bunny” into the microphone during the “Chubby Bunny” contest at the Hypnotic Donut Dash 5K run in Fair Park in Dallas on January 26, 2013. To win the contest, you must fit the most doughnut holes in your mouth while simultaneously saying, “Chubby Bunny.”

Community Involvement

A mere three minutes after Hypnotic’s closure was posted to Instagram the evening of May 20, 2025, comments rolled in. Some claimed Hypnotic’s doughnuts or biscuits were the best in town. Others recounted sweet stories, like when the owner handed out a free doughnut to a kid who guessed the right number of sprinkles.

Several wrote the same simple thing: “Noo.”

The shop integrated itself into its East Dallas community from the beginning. For years, it hosted a polar plunge in January to raise money for charity. It also held a Donut Dash 5K, with an amusing post-race game where attendees stuffed their mouths with doughnut holes.

Expansion and Closure

After St. Peter opened Hypnotic, he opened a throwback ice cream shop called Hypnotic Emporium next door, in 2016. That shop closed in 2024.

Hypnotic Donuts also had a Denton location, and that one closed in 2019.

The announcement of Hypnotic Donuts’ shuttering comes right after news that Hong Kong Restaurant closed in the same strip center in early May 2025. Hong Kong was Dallas’ longest-running Chinese restaurant.

Hypnotic Donuts was at 9007 Garland Road, Dallas.

Conclusion

Hypnotic Donuts was a beloved institution in East Dallas, and its closure will be deeply felt by the community. The shop’s inventive doughnuts and friendly service made it a destination for dessert lovers from all over the city. Although the space has been leased to JuiceLand, the memory of Hypnotic Donuts will live on in the hearts of its loyal customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was Hypnotic Donuts? A: Hypnotic Donuts was an inventive doughnut shop in East Dallas that served fried chicken biscuits, kolaches, and doughnuts.

Q: Why did Hypnotic Donuts close? A: The reason for Hypnotic Donuts’ closure is not explicitly stated, but the landlord confirmed that the owner considered selling or closing it this year.

Q: What will replace Hypnotic Donuts? A: The space has been leased to JuiceLand.

Q: Where was Hypnotic Donuts located? A: Hypnotic Donuts was located at 9007 Garland Road, Dallas.