The peanut butter donut is one of the specialities at Stan's Donuts. (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy)

The store has been a Westwood trademark for nearly 50 years, with a history as rich and colorful as the donuts themselves. 

“I cam here to visit my friend who owned it in December 1963, and I haven’t left yet,” says owner Stan Berman. “My friend knew that I had a bakery background, so he enlisted me to come help for a while. Before you knew it, I became his partner ... and before you knew it, he left the partnership and I was left with it.”

Many of the store’s features are the same as they were in 1963, with some necessary modifications.

“It’s the exact same size, shape and everything,” Berman says. “We’re 10 feet by 10 feet. The only thing we did was put in new walls, new floors and a new ceiling. But the equipment is the same equipment since the 1950s—one of the flour bins, the bench—and the only [equipment] I changed is the mixer.”

Stan’s Donuts has many characteristics that make it unique. One asset is its convenient location and long hours, according to Berman.

“We are a different style donut shop,” he says. “We actually do half of our business after 3 o’clock in the afternoon [because of the area we’re in]. We get a lot of action from the [UCLA] campus, the business climate and Brentwood, Bel Air and Beverly Hills [our surrounding regions]. Most donut shops do all their business before 3 o’clock in the afternoon.”

Another distinguishing factor would be the quality and diversity of the donuts sold at Stan’s.

“Years ago, according to the flour people, we were the most productive little donut shop in the city per square foot, and we’re still pretty good,” Berman says proudly. 

The store’s specialties include its lines of Baker’s Cheese donuts and Peanut Butter donuts. The latter, in particular, has an interesting history behind its ever-changing name. About 45 years ago, Berman says that a customer came in requesting a peanut butter donut and helped him discover how to make it using fresh peanut butter sealed inside the donut like a “peanut butter pocket” to retain the flavor and keep the peanut butter texture. 

“Originally, I called it ‘Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup,’” Berman recalls. “I actually wanted the Reese’s Peanut Butter people to send me a letter and tell me to stop using their name. It never happened.”

After several more name changes, the peanut butter donut is currently named after TV personality Huell Howser, host of the travel show “California’s Gold.”

“He [Howser] featured the Peanut Butter donut about four years ago on his show and people still talk about it,” Berman says. “Everybody who ever saw his show in California knows about that Peanut Butter donut. It’s the exotic [donut] best seller.”

Also popular are the donuts with apples and raisins, as “we make a lot of donuts with apples and raisins because I love apples and raisins,” according to Berman. He says that every customer’s request is important to him.

“I try to make a donut for you — what you like, we’re going to try and make,” he says. “The few [donuts] we have and the ones that we concentrated on are good … just good. Just our regular glazed, some people have never tasted such a good glazed donut before. The main reason is that we have fresh donuts all the time.”

Upon observing the grand variety of donuts at Stan’s, one will notice many named after specific individuals. 

“The history of the donuts and their names is that we’ve had many celebrities come in here,” Berman explains. “Certain ones have become a little friendly [with us], so we named a donut after them.”

An example of one of these donuts is the “Mariska,” named after Mariska Hargitay, an actress on “Law and Order.”

“She’s [Mariska’s] been coming here since she was four or five years old,” Berman recalls. “When she was 13 or 14, she would come around and ask me when I was going to name a donut after her. I told her when her name was in the headlights. When she went to New York and got involved with ‘Law and Order,’ I named a donut after her — it’s a whole series of children’s donuts. And she knows it … she comes in here two or three times a year when she’s in the area. One time, she actually took the little sign [in front of the donuts] that says ‘Mariska.’”

While Berman has a great team and staff, he says that he still comes in the shop almost every morning to do one of his favorite things — making the donut icings. 

“I like to make the icings because I like the way I do it, with the colors and everything,” he says. “I don’t like heavy icing; I like milk chocolate.” 

Being physically involved at the store is both enjoyable and necessary, according to Berman.

“It keeps me active,” he says. “I’m past 83. Most 83-year-old men are at home, watching the grass grow and sweating. I come to work and I sweat from work and I love that. I actually love the fact that I perspire from working, not from watching the grass grow.”

On any given day, Stan’s attracts customers from all walks of life, ranging from first-timers from the neighborhood to long-time friends and those who grew up visiting the donut shop.

“Stan’s always been so lovely; he’s the nicest man and so friendly,” says Catherine Cavanaugh. “I remember coming here when I was five … I’ve known him [Stan] for a long time. Every year on my birthday, I’d come here and he’d always give me a free donut. I’ve been doing that since I was little, so now my kids and I are doing it.” 

“This store is the gathering place of Westwood,” echoes Steve Pettise, a longtime friend of Stan’s who has had an office across the street from the donut shop since 1998. “He’s [Stan’s] one of the most benevolent men that’s ever been in business in Westwood; he takes care of everybody.”

For Berman, “Stan’s Donuts” truly means more than selling donuts — it’s about connecting with customers and making everyone feel like a part of his family. 

“You would think [we’re known for] the donuts, but it’s more than the donuts,” Berman says. “They [people] get that feeling that every one of the customers means the world to me.”

See a gallery of some customer favorites at Stan's Donuts. You can visit Stan's Donuts at 10948 Weyburn Ave., Westwood, 90024. 

Reach Kelli Shiroma here.