Sweet, sticky, and simply scrumptious—the Chocolate Shop’s donuts are becoming a huge hit in Horseshoe Beach. “They’re just good,” said James Justice when asked why the donuts are in such big demand. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning, Mr. Justice and his wife Joyce wake up before the sun rises to make the delicious pastry that’s making their business so popular. Mr. Justice, a retired certified vocational rehabilitation counselor, and his wife moved to Bronson from Ft. Myers about a year ago, after retiring. To supplement their income, the couple decided to rent the abandoned Chocolate Shop a few months ago from Dennis Buckley and use their previous experience as bakery owners in Kentucky to bring some all-time favorite treats to the citizens and visitors of Horseshoe Beach, including a wide assortment of different filled-donuts, ice cream, cakes, pizza and burgers.

“When the light is flashing, we’re open,” said Mrs. Justice, referring to the light mounted atop the 1950 Nash Metropolitan painted like an old black and white police car parked in front of the shop. The car was painted a baby pink, but because of the classic joke about police officers and their love of donuts, the Justices and Buckley decided to give it a new look. For now, the shop is open only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The couple said they haven’t decided whether or not to extend their days of operation, but they’re certainly staying busy on the days that they are open.