When the spring semester commenced, students weren’t the only ones settling into Oxford. Donut Distillery and its rooftop bar counterpart, Rebel Yell, are making their homes next to Uno Mas on the Square.
The dream for Donut Distillery began when couple and co-founders Todd and Shauna McCoy started filling donut orders out of their home and a small food truck in Nashville.
“Our donuts became so popular among the community that my family and I began filling orders out of our house and food truck. We were overwhelmed with orders, and my kids were tired of going to school smelling like the Tennessee State Fair. So we decided it was time for a brick-and-mortar,” Shauna McCoy said in an informational poster about the new location.
After seeing success at their Nashville and Houston locations and having two daughters graduate from the University of Mississippi, the McCoys wanted their third business to be in Oxford.
The eccentric design of Donut Distillery features colorful art, with everything from hanging beads and neon signs to an “Instagram wall” where guests can have photo shoots and share pictures online.
The upbeat establishment is home to a unique combination: drinks and donuts. It offers custom mini donuts, mimosas, flights, spiked milkshakes and specialty coffee drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic.
“I love coffee and donuts, so I’m super excited about Donut Distillery. I think this is really different from any other business I’ve seen in Oxford. I think the food and alcohol combo will do really well, especially with students,” Sydney Smith, a junior international studies major, said.
The McCoys saw Oxford’s nightlife scene as a perfect opportunity to try something new: a rooftop bar.
“This bar will be a different experience for us,” Shauna McCoy said. “For starters, we plan to keep this location open later because of foot traffic.”
The upstairs of the Donut Distillery building has been renovated into a rooftop bar called Rebel Yell, inspired by Billy Idol’s classic 1980s tune. After walking up a staircase lined with fun paintings, patrons find a unique, brightly-colored space.
“This is gonna be really cool in the spring,” Shauna McCoy said. “When it gets warm outside, people can hang out outside in the nice weather.”
With an indoor and an outdoor space, Rebel Yell offers a new place for the Oxford community to relax and enjoy a drink while looking out onto The Square. Although the rooftop bar is separate from Donut Distillery, flights and drinks from downstairs can be brought up to customers.
“Throughout this journey, we have faced many challenges, but the boundless joy spread to many unique people has made it all worth it,” Shauna McCoy said. “We are proud to have created a business that is more than just a donut shop, but a place where people can come together and create their own special moments. My husband and I take pride in our tight-knit relationships with our customers, community and each other as we revolutionize the donut.”
