ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A popular donut spot in Asheville’s South Slope has gone dark after more than 10 years in business.
Vortex Doughnuts, located at 32 Banks Avenue in downtown Asheville, has closed its doors for good.
A notice posted on an inside window of the business reads:
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, our last day of business is Tuesday, April 14, 2026. We want to thank our many long-term loyal customers for your business throughout the years. Thank you, Vortex Donuts.”
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As of Thursday, April 16, the shop is vacant, and the lights are off.
Vortex Doughnuts, which opened in 2014, was known for its specialty donuts. For years, it was a much-buzzed-about destination for sweet treat lovers to enjoy a unique take on donuts and coffee.
An Instagram page for Vortex Doughnuts remains active but lists the store as “closed permanently.” A multi-slide post by the business, reportedly written by a 10-year employee, claims the current owner “abruptly let our whole staff go last night with no notice and shut the business down effective immediately.”
The post adds, “We were told to collect our things over the next ten days and the business is done.” The writer also says the Instagram page is employee-run and not controlled by the owners.
The Instagram post says the closure “has left all nine of our staff without a job or pay,” and they are exploring next steps.
News 13 has reached out to the employee posting on the Vortex Doughnuts page as well as the owners, but has not heard back.
This story will be updated.