By Chaney Ferguson
Editor, The Times of SWLA
On every purchase from Vee’s there is a sticker that says, “One Bite and We Gotcha!” What a true statement.
Vee McNabb is a natural when it comes to bakery delights. She began her donut experience many years ago at Nelson’s Donuts in Lake Charles.
“I was recently divorced and I had to get a job to support my children. I started out working counters,” said Vee.
When she took that position she had no clue the future in store for her. After many years of working her way up to management and making donuts at several different locations between Lake Charles and Sulphur, Vee finally ventured out on her own.
“When I first got started I had just donuts. Then I had some people from Texas come and ask me if I did kolaches. I told them no but I would love to learn how, but my salesman didn’t like the idea. He said those would never make it in Louisiana because that was Texas stuff.”
Vee learned how to make kolaches and many other breakfast foods that keep customers coming back for more.
Throughout the years, the business has expanded to more than just breakfast foods; they’ve ventured into making sandwiches. Vee attributes these changes to her wonderfully supportive family.
“I have four children and all of them know how to make donuts, but my boys didn’t want any part of it. They wanted to go out and get their own jobs so my daughter came in with me.”
The business has always involved Vee's family. Her daughter Catina, son-in-law, Lewis, and grandson, Jake, have been the most influential in how the business has changed.
Lewis previously worked for the Sulphur Police Department and he was primarily responsible for finding the property in which they currently reside.
Customers will also want to thank him for his decision to add sandwiches to the menu.
“When my grandson, Jake, was born, his mother went back to work so he would come here and I would put him in the infant seat. As he got older, he wanted to help so he would go out and wait on all the customers.”
Vee remembers how Jake never needed a registry to remember all the prices of everything. He recognized the customers, knew what they wanted and always knew the price.
“He stayed in the shop with us. Now he’s twenty-one and he and my daughter do most of the business.”
While Jake grew up working in the shop, he came up with many of his own ideas. Once again, the business started to branch out into new tasty treats.
“We integrated different things into the menu as my daughter and grandson came up with it. Jake is very talented and has all kind of ideas.”
Evidence of Jake's
talent hangs on the wall in Vee's. An article entitled Jake's Cakes written by the American Press reveals his ability for creating cake masterpieces.Vee says they used to make specialty cakes, but it became too much for them with all their other responsibilities.
“We’re now doing salads and sandwiches and we have a chef who makes our soups for us. We make brownies, cookies, and small individual cakes. We still do a chocolate-chocolate cake with strawberries, and Italian cream. cakes. Everything you can think of we do.”
The secret to the delicious food is Vee's homemade bread. She doesn't take any shortcuts in her baking.
“We wake up at 1 A.M. My daughter comes over and we brush our teeth, wash our face and put on clothes. By 1:20 we are at the shop. We make our doughs and then sit down and drink coffee. After that we don’t sit down until time to go home.”
While Vee goes through the process of patiently waiting for the donuts to rise and be prepared, her daughter, Catina, begins on the biscuits, croissants, and kolaches.
Vee and her family have their schedule worked out from years of practice. She used to work seven days a week, but now she allows herself Sunday and Monday off work.
“We go to bed around 7 P.M. and wake up at 1 A.M. My family is on the praise team. at Christian World and they go to practice on Tuesday nights and church on Wednesday nights so I stay home and let them sleep until 4 A.M.”
Vee's frequently gets large orders from the plants, car dealerships, or Sulphur High School. At these times the group maintains an all-hands-on-deck attitude and the little shop is buzzing at 1:20 in the morning.
The first rush hits every morning at 6 A.M. when the first wave of workers pulls in the drive-thru. Vee set up her shop with two drive-thru windows. On one side the driver pays and by the time they pull around to the other window their order is waiting for them.
Around 7 A.M. the school crowd arrives with parents and kids grabbing a homemade breakfast before their day begins.
“I've had moms tell me that their kids wouldn't eat the donut holes they buy from other places,” said Vee.
Catina says the secret her mom uses really is love because of how much time and patience Vee has while making the baked goods.
“I wouldn't want to sell anything I wouldn't eat myself,” said Vee.
One rule about working at Vee's is to never sell a donut that is in the case when there are still warm ones in the back. Customers need to get there early before they run out.
In addition to all the delicacies, Vee's also creates beautiful gift boxes for special occasions such as homecoming. They truly can do it all.
“If it wouldn’t have been for my daughter, son-in-law, and my grandson I wouldn’t be here with the business like I am now. The blessings I've received are because of all the help I have from them.”
For a sweet treat or an amazing sandwich, stop by Vee's Donuts and Bakery at 1290 E. Napolean St. in Sulphur or call 337-527-3177. Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday from
5 A.M. to 4 P.M.
