The Magic Is in the Drawer at Voodoo Doughnut

The magic is in the hole, guests can read on signs and boxes at Voodoo Doughnut, but there is a side to the Portland-based business that zooms in on the money. Pink boxes, gooey frostings, crazy unexpected flavor combinations, and some impossible-to-name magic that creates a cult-like following is what this cash-only business shows the world. Hundreds upon hundreds of newly acquired followers waited hours in line for the last few weeks in Denver to see it all: the madness, the magic, the hole, the doughnuts.

From behind the counter, for the clerks ringing your order, the view is different: the eyes stay peeled on the money and the hand must count them fast.

Author Pete Cottell put in his time at Voodoo in Portland working through positions that included working the register and being a janitor, capping out as a doughnut decorator in a three month span. He shared that experience in detail, giving us all an explanation for some of what we notice at the doughnut shop- the ever-changing erratic music selection or the unfriendliness of the cash register staff, a crew pressured to get customers out the door with a full pink box.

A word of advice, for those headed to East Colfax shop (or to any of the other Voodoo locations) for a sugar fix: "If you want the freshest doughnut at 9 am, get something that's on brown paper. If you want the freshest doughnut at 9 pm, get something on white paper."

Today, Voodoo Doughnut Mile High is closed, catching its breath following several very busy days. After a grand-opening and fancy ribbon cutting ceremony last Wednesday, Voodoo closed on Sunday for two days. Those eager to try working the graveyard shift at Voodoo can bring a resume to the store today at 3 p.m. The Craigslist ad with more details is here.

Voodoo will reopen to the public tomorrow and plans to maintain a 24 hour - 7 days a week schedule.

· The Hole Story: 3 months behind the counter at Voodoo Doughnut. [WWeek]
· Voodoo Madness: the Lines, the Music, the Scene [EDen]
· The Ribbon Is Cut: Voodoo Doughnut Celebrates Grand Opening [EDen]