The Farmhouse: Two Great Tastes

By Rick Dakan

“Ever had sausage gravy donuts?” 

No, I hadn’t. I’d never even considered such a thing. Those words just didn’t go together in my mind. But I was already in an intriguing place of business that successfully combines two unusual elements that seem unrelated, so I said yes. I tell you what, the sausage gravy donuts at The Farmhouse are really good, just like everything else I tried in the Bradenton donut-and-decor store.

Steven and Nancie Sheardown opened The Farmhouse just last year, and already it’s become a local institution in downtown Bradenton. Steven started his custom furniture business, SDS Designs, over seven years ago, and Nancie is an acupuncturist physician. Natives to the Sarasota-Bradenton area, they’ve traveled the country selling furniture and SDS has had its creations showcased at Disney World, on the Animal Planet show “Insane Pools: Off the Deep End,” and in House Beautiful magazine. They’ve had tremendous success, and none of it had anything to do with donuts. 

“It all started when we were traveling in North Carolina, selling furniture,” Nancie explains. “We saw a donut shop selling fresh-to-order donuts, and they were so good, we said we wanted to do it ourselves.” At the time it was just an idea, without any concrete plans to realize it anytime soon. They had hands more than full as it was. Then they were approached by the owner of a historic building on Manatee Avenue, who was urging them to open a retail location for their furniture. “Only 5% of our business came from Florida at that time,” Steven explains. They weren’t sure a storefront would be worth it for them. Then they remembered the donuts. After a couple months of going back and forth, Nancie’s dad was the one who pushed them to go for it. “Do the donuts,” he said. And do they ever do the donuts.

Made fresh to order, The Farmhouse serves small cake donuts that are perfectly cooked so that the crust has a nice little crunch, but the inside is warm and soft. For me, who loves a great cake donut, that might be enough, but there’s so much more. At the counter, customers receive a menu where they can choose from a list of nearly twenty different specialty donuts or create their own combo. These playful and decadent creations have farm-inspired names that perfectly complement the store’s southern design aesthetic. 

The Sweet Squealing Pig has maple, bacon, and a sprinkle of salt. That last sprinkle of salt exemplifies the attention to detail and flavor that The Farmhouse rightfully prides itself on. The extra seasoning makes the donut come alive in the mouth in a way that many bacon and maple donuts miss. Other favorites include The Cotton Gin (vanilla icing with a cotton candy topping), The Fancy Cowboy (vanilla icing with Fruity Pebbles cereal), The Mud Hole (brownie batter with a gummy worm), and Grandma Myers Oatmeal (maple, oatmeal cookie, and chocolate drizzle). 

The friendly atmosphere at The Farmhouse is just as important as the donuts. Everyone working there greets customers with a smile, and the relaxed family style setting of the furniture store encourages folks to sit and chat. “It’s the only place I know where people put down their phones and have a conversation,” Steven says. “Families sit and talk. We have a great vibe where people from all walks of life feel comfortable.”

In just six months, The Farmhouse has proven a hit with locals. “On weekends it’s standing room only,” Nancie says. “People come in for the donuts, for the atmosphere, and leave with a candle or a hat or a cowhide purse.” During the week, it’s more relaxed, with locals stopping by for morning coffee and donuts, and students doing homework and hanging out after school. “Every day, someone says to me, ‘thank you for opening your business,’” Steven says. “People do like to support the local guy.” 

The unlikely pairing of donuts and design makes perfect sense when you’re sitting in the middle of it. Local customers, local products, and local designers who are committed to keeping the quality high and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. As downtown Bradenton hopes to revitalize this area as a new entertainment district, newcomers and old-timers alike will find a friendly smile and warm donut waiting for them at The Farmhouse.