The Carb Shop: Cottage Grove’s October 2026 Business of the Month
The Carb Shop: Cottage Grove’s October Business of the Month
What started with one simple problem has turned into one of Cottage Grove’s more recognizable small businesses.
There wasn’t a local donut shop, and someone wanted a fresh donut.
For most of us, that probably means getting in the car and driving somewhere. For the family behind The Carb Shop, it helped spark a business.
Today, The Carb Shop combines homemade baking with a love of cars and racing, turning out fresh donuts, cookies, homemade pop tarts and automotive-themed creations with names like Maple Torque Wrench, Pit Stop PB&J, Top Parts and Spare Tires.
And Cottage Grove has noticed.
🏆 The Carb Shop is Groovin’ in the Grove’s October Business of the Month.
What makes the story even better is just how small the operation behind those pink boxes really is. The Carb Shop is run by a two-person team, with the business being built alongside a full-time physical job, late-night prep, test-kitchen experiments, market weekends and some very early mornings.
I wanted to learn more about where the idea came from, the people behind it, what keeps them going and where they hope to take The Carb Shop next.
The following questions and answers are presented exactly as they were submitted.
How did The Carb Shop get started, and what made you decide to open the business?
The Carb Shop started as a someday dream that turned real the moment my wife wanted a fresh donut after we moved back to Cottage Grove, but Cottage Grove no longer had a donut shop. With my love for cars and racing passed down from my dad and my love for baking passed down from my mom, the idea clicked. The Carb Shop became the perfect blend of both worlds. Garage culture and homemade treats. What started as a simple craving and a fun name turned into a full on business built from family inspiration, creativity, and community.
For someone who has never been to The Carb Shop, how would you describe what you do and what you’re all about?
The Carb Shop is all about creating high quality, handcrafted treats that make our community happy and keep them coming back for more. We put a lot of care into every donut, cookie and product we make, and we love bringing a little fun, creativity, and car culture flair to Cottage Grove. At the end of the day we are here to make great carbs and great moments for people who support us.
What are you best known for, and what would you recommend to someone visiting for the first time?
We are definitely best known for our fresh donuts. That’s what put The Carb Shop on the map. If you are visiting for the first time I always recommend our Maple Torque Wrench made with 100% pure maple syrup. It’s one of our signature items and a customer favorite. Another must try is any of our of our “Top Parts” . Our homemade pop tarts. They are fun, nostalgic, and packed with flavor and people are always surprised by how good they are. You really can’t go wrong with either one.
What do you think sets The Carb Shop apart from other businesses offering something similar?
I think what sets us apart is our innovation whether it is our Pit Stop PB&J cookie or our strawberry frosted Spare Tire topped with fruity pebbles. We are always trying to push the engine to the max.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a business owner, and how did you work through it?
Right now, my biggest challenge, is financial. For now, I am working a full time 9-5 in order to pay for day to day life. Sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to do test kitchen for fresh new ideas, or to prep cookies and other sweet treats after a full day of work (I work a physical job).
I often lean into the words of my wife: “Be Dedicated, Committed and willing to put in the work.”
When I fill the house with the smell of frying doughnuts and fresh cookies… The dream fuels me.
What has the support from Cottage Grove and the surrounding community meant to you?
The support from Cottage Grove and the surrounding communities means everything to us. The Carb Shop wouldn’t exist without the people who show up for us, cheer us on, and keep us inspired. Every market, every order, every kind word reminds us why we do this. We’re proud to be part of this community and we are grateful for the way it continues to lift us up.
Who has played an important role in helping The Carb Shop get where it is today?
The biggest reason The Carb Shop exists today is because of my wife’s support. She’s been there since day one, encouraging the idea, helping make it real, and standing behind every step of the journey. Right behind her is the Cottage Grove community including my fellow vendors Jo’s Dough, Sunflower and Pineapple Co., and Forks Up Farms they have been welcoming, encouraging, and amazing Saturday neighbors. Their enthusiasm, loyalty, and belief in what we are building have played a huge role in our growth and success. We wouldn’t be where we are without all of them.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you or The Carb Shop?
One thing people might be surprised about us is everything we create is hand made from our cookies to all of our delicious frostings and glazes for our donuts. Another thing that people may be surprised about us is how small our team really is. Every donut, every cookie idea, every market set up. It’s all done by a two person team that works like a pit crew. We are constantly experimenting, building new products while staying committed to fresh, quality, sweet treats handmade with love.
What does winning Groovin’ in the Grove’s Business of the Month mean to you, especially knowing the community voted for you?
Winning Business of the Month especially in my birthday month of October means a lot. It’s a sign that we are doing something right, and it feels incredible knowing the community voted for us. Their support is the reason The Carb Shop exists, and being recognized by the people we serve makes the honor even more special.
What’s next for The Carb Shop? Any plans, goals, new products, or changes people should be excited about?
What’s next for The Carb Shop is to continue to grow with the help of our “marketing manager” (my wife) who has a dream about adding a day 2, fresh warm donuts by special order for Sunday Morning services and events. Once summer market days are over, we will be leaning into opportunities to get up early (3 am to start frying donuts) and prepare fresh warm treats for you. With an overall goal of having a storefront in the near future so people are able to get our products every day of the week. Whether you are grabbing a donut at the farmers market or getting cookies shipped to your door. The Carb Shop is growing, experimenting, and just having fun. If you’ve liked what we have done so far, you are going to love what’s coming.
Is there anything else about The Carb Shop, your story, your team, or your business that you’d like people to know that I didn’t ask about?
What I want people to know is that this shop is personal. It’s local. It’s built by a small team that genuinely loves what we do. From designing new automotive themed treats to showing up to farmers markets and partnering with local racer Brad Hicks and national racer Tanner Holmes. We are proud to be part of this community and we are always trying to make something that makes people smile. The Carb Shop is still growing, still experimenting, and still having fun. And we are just getting started.
The Dream Fuels Them
Of everything they shared with me, there was one line that stuck with me:
“When I fill the house with the smell of frying doughnuts and fresh cookies… The dream fuels me.”
I think that tells you a lot about the people behind The Carb Shop.
It’s easy to see the finished product. You walk up to the pink tent, pick out a donut or cookie, take it home and probably destroy it before you ever make it through the front door.
What you don’t necessarily see is somebody working a physical job all day and then coming home to prep cookies, fry donuts, test new ideas and keep building something with his wife because they believe in what it could become.
You don’t see the two-person pit crew behind every market setup, glaze, frosting, cookie idea and box that goes out the door.
And eventually, you may see something even bigger.
The Carb Shop hopes to add more opportunities for fresh Sunday morning donut orders, continue growing its products and shipping, and eventually open a storefront in Cottage Grove where customers can get their favorites throughout the week.
For a business that started because Cottage Grove didn’t have somewhere to grab a fresh donut, that would be a pretty great full-circle moment.
Find The Carb Shop
🍩 The Carb Shop | Fueled by Flour
Fresh handmade donuts, cookies, homemade “Top Parts” and automotive-inspired sweet treats made in Cottage Grove.
📍 Cottage Grove, Oregon
📱 (541) 206-9674
🌐 drivenbydonuts.com
📸 Instagram: @fueledxflour
📱 Facebook: The Carb Shop
Keep an eye on their social media for upcoming markets, ordering opportunities, new creations and where you can catch them next.
Congratulations again to The Carb Shop, your October Business of the Month.
Cottage Grove clearly likes what this little two-person pit crew is building, and judging by what they have planned next, they’re nowhere near finished.
Support Local Through Groovin’ in the Grove
Business of the Month is chosen by the community, and being included in Groovin’ in the Grove’s local business list and future voting is free.
If you own a Cottage Grove or surrounding-area business and want to be included, reach out to Austin Hall.
For businesses looking for a little extra visibility during the holidays, Groovin’ in the Grove is also offering a $50 holiday marketing special through the end of the year. The goal is simple: keep local marketing affordable and give small businesses another way to get in front of customers while competing with the big guys during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Interested businesses can message Austin directly for details.
