Duck Donuts closes its Selden location after 5 years

Owner Veronica Bencivenga cites rising costs for goods, rent, utilities and wages

Duck Donuts has closed its Selden location, the owner announced Friday shortly after noon in a heartfelt social media post that cited soaring operating costs as the driving force behind the decision.

The shop at 49 College Plaza — a fixture in the College Plaza shopping center along Middle Country Road since 2020 — will permanently shutter, leaving the Hauppauge location at 586 Veterans Memorial Hwy. as the family’s one remaining Duck Donuts outpost.

“Like many of you, we have been struggling with ever rising costs for goods, utilities, rent and wages,” owner Veronica Bencivenga wrote in a post that addressed the Middle Country community.

“Sometimes you do everything right, give it 110% … and it still doesn’t work,” she continued. “This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever made.”

Bencivenga and her husband Anthony opened their first Duck Donuts franchise in Hauppauge in May 2018 — the brand’s first New York location — before expanding to Selden within two years. The College Plaza store opened in October 2020 amid the food service challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Known for its made-to-order cake donuts customizable with an array of coatings, toppings and drizzles, the Selden shop quickly became a neighborhood staple, drawing loyal regulars and five-star reviews across platforms.

In her post, Bencivenga praised her staff — some of whom have been with the shop since it opened — as “amazing” and said the team gave customers “an exceptional experience.”

“All gave their best effort and we couldn’t be prouder of you,” she wrote. “We were so lucky to have you in our lives.”

Many customers were saddened by the news of the shop’s closure.

This is really devastating news,” Jennifer Ervin-Hussein commented below Bencivenga’s Facebook post. “You will be missed.”

Nicole Marie found out the hard way when closing day was.

“Literally woke up craving a donut from you guys today!! Do you have a closing date? Would love to come in once more!!” she posted in the comments section of Bencivenga’s closure message.

Duck Donuts replied: “Selden is closed but stop by HAUPPAUGE for your fresh donut fix!”

The Selden shop’s closing reflects broader headwinds facing the Duck Donuts franchise system. A recent industry report found the Pennsylvania-based chain has been navigating significant internal turbulence, including the resignation of longtime CEO Betsy Hamm early last year, following a period of rising franchisee costs, leadership turnover and corporate layoffs.

A franchisee interviewed by QSR Magazine described the past several years as difficult, noting that rising payroll and operating expenses forced some operators to sell locations to reduce their exposure.

Duck Donuts was founded in 2006 in Duck, North Carolina, and opened its first franchise location in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2013. The chain now counts more than 135 locally owned and operated shops across 25 states, Puerto Rico, and international locations that include Canada, Egypt, Qatar and Thailand.

Customers with coupons, clip coupons or Quack Cards from the Selden location can redeem them at the Hauppauge store, ownership confirmed. No closing date was specified in Friday’s post.

Bencivenga did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

_{Top: A worker puts the finishing touches on a box of Duck Donuts (GLI file photo).}

Prior Duck Donuts coverage

Duck Donuts celebrates Plainview opening May 17 with giveaways

Smithtown family opens second Duck Donuts on Long Island