On Saturday, March 7, the line outside Vincent Van Doughnut in Tower Grove looked like any other busy weekend morning. But for regulars who had been bracing for the worst after an abrupt late January shutdown, the quiet reopening of the neighborhood favorite felt a lot more like a comeback story.
The shop had suddenly announced on January 29 that it would be "closed until further notice," leaving customers and nearby business owners worried. Then, on March 5, owner Michael McKinlay took to Instagram to say the doors would reopen that Saturday and to explain what had been happening behind the scenes.
In that post, McKinlay shared that in October 2025 he attempted to take his own life and was treated for multiple serious injuries, including two broken backbone vertebrae, a fractured neck, a cracked sternum, a broken nose and stitches across his face. He also said he tried to return to work about two weeks after being discharged. His comments, along with details about the reopening, new baked goods and morning menu changes, were reported by Sauce Magazine.
When the Tower Grove storefront flipped its lights back on, customers showed up early and in force. Many hugged McKinlay as he opened the door, turning the sidewalk into something closer to a neighborhood reunion than a routine doughnut run. McKinlay told customers that "it seems this is more of a community than a doughnut shop" as he thanked friends, family and fellow small-business owners who kept things afloat while he healed. The emotional morning and his remarks were captured by Sauce Magazine.
McKinlay credited Serge Patel of Crimson Serpents, Scott Carey of Sump Coffee, Ted Wilson of Union Loafers and Dan Porzel of Sauce on the Side for stepping in during his recovery. He also noted that his father pitched in on the physical work, including hauling flour bags at the shop.
New Hours, Menu Changes And The Grove Location
Vincent Van Doughnut's Grove shop sits at 1072 Tower Grove Ave, and the business' official site lists its standard morning schedule and contact information. According to the site, weekday openings start at 6 a.m. and weekend service begins at 7 a.m. Items are marked "sold out" when inventory runs out, and the store phone number is posted for customers.
McKinlay has said the lease change at the Grove spot will open the door to carrying baked goods, including bagels and bread, and to partnering with nearby bakers. He is retooling the morning lineup around quick grab-and-go service, a shift meant to better match weekday routines for customers who want to grab coffee and carbs without lingering.
Resources And Recovery
McKinlay has described the reopening as a key part of his recovery, while neighbors characterized the day as emotional but hopeful. For anyone in crisis, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration notes that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 support by call, text or online chat. Details on how to access the Lifeline are available from SAMHSA.
The strong turnout at the Grove suggested to McKinlay that the shop will continue to operate as a neighborhood habit more than a sit-down café, with regulars flowing in and out rather than settling in for long stays.
McKinlay purchased the Grove location from founder Vincent Brian Marsden in July 2024 and says he plans to focus on dialing in longtime recipes while expanding offerings to reflect the changing local economy. He has invited constructive customer feedback as the shop settles into this new chapter and extended morning hours, and regulars are already easing back into their usual routines at the doughnut case. For current hours and menu details, the shop's official site lists up-to-date information and contact options.
