Duncle is a popular late-night tradition for students.
Courtesy | Mason Settergen

One of the most popular late-night destinations among students is a small donut shop in Coldwater, Michigan, 30 minutes from campus.

Dutch Uncle Donuts, affectionately known as “Duncle” by Hillsdale students, has served homemade donuts since the late 1970s, according to owner Eng Oeung.

“When I first started, it was open 24/7,” Oeung said. “We would only close for half a day on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, and a full day on Christmas.”

Due to short staffing, the store now closes between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., and all day Monday.

Late-night trips to Dutch Uncle are a popular tradition among Hillsdale students, especially underclassmen, according to junior Theo Hoelker.

“My first time going was definitely freshman year,” Hoelker said. “I think it was Colin Joyce ’25 who told me about it. He said, ‘There’s this donut place that’s open basically 24 hours a day and it’s a tradition for people to go there really late.’ There was a big group of us and we all went together and it was a lot of fun. We got there at about 2 a.m., and everyone got a donut and a glass of milk and we just hung out there for a while.”

Hoelker said Dutch Uncle’s location and hours have a special appeal to Hillsdale students.

“I think the fact that it’s open so late and college kids love to do things late at night is a part of it, but also there aren’t a lot of things to do in town,” Hoelker said. 

“I can’t remember a time when I went to Duncle and regretted it, because it’s always with a bunch of people coming from President’s Ball or something like that, and we’re all just having a lot of fun.”

Senior and head Galloway Residence resident assistant Cameron Frye said he was introduced to Dutch Uncle Donuts in his first semester on campus.

“I wasn’t really sure what a Duncle was at first,” Frye said. “It was a good time, just heading out with the guys. It’s a decent drive, and you’re not necessarily there for the greatest donuts in the world, but it’s the fellowship. It was awesome just to take part in it just two weeks into my time at Hillsdale. Since then, I’ve been on at least five or six Duncle runs with friends throughout the years. It’s always a special time.” 

Frye said Dutch Uncle provides a good off-campus hangout spot for students.

“Like a lot of things around Hillsdale, it’s not necessarily what you’re doing, but it’s forming new connections, especially as a freshman, meeting and talking with some guys you haven’t talked to before and getting to know a few different RAs,” Frye said. “And then I think it’s a cool special thing off campus and away from the town of Hillsdale. That kind of makes it appealing.”

Oeung said she has enjoyed seeing Hillsdale students on their late-night runs to the store.

“The college kids come in at night, even when it’s icy or raining,” Oeung said.

Oeung said she thinks the number of Hillsdale students visiting Dutch Uncle has decreased in recent years.

“It might be because there are more things to do near Hillsdale now,” Oeung said.

In the last five years, the Hillsdale area has seen new businesses open, including Dairy Queen, Meijer, and Ethan’s Donut Factory.

Hoelker said students should go to Dutch Uncle if they got the opportunity.

“How many times are you going to have a chance to not only go to a 24-hour donut shop, but also with minimal consequences and with all your friends?” Hoelker said. “Plus, they’re good donuts. It’s not like Dunkin Donuts. They’re homemade.”

Frye said he has enjoyed bringing freshmen to Dutch Uncle Donuts.

“It’s been fun to introduce new people to the concept of a funny Hillsdale thing,” Frye said. “It’s always fun to share stories from my time in the dorm, past Duncle runs, and just take time to talk with the guys.”