Local businesswomen open Georgia-based doughnut brand in Greenville

A new-to-Greenville doughnut café with an Asian twist has opened in Greenville.

Partners Carolina Arango and Ruby Lam have opened the Georgia-based doughnut franchise, Mochibees Donut Cafe, which is located at 1270 Woodruff Road.

Mochibees was established by two young food enthusiasts. Living in New York, the founders were exposed to diverse dessert cultures, so they decided to start a dessert business. For many years, they tried busking by making samples while traveling to various countries such as Kuwait, Dubai and the Netherlands. In late 2021, they finally decided to open Mochibees with their signature Mochi Donut after research and practice.

The Mochi Donuts are a light and fluffy dessert made fresh daily. Some of the flavors include Twix, Milk Pebbles, Matcha Oreo, Original Glaze and White Nutella.

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Mochi is traditionally a Japanese rice cake made of mochigome, a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch.

Now, continuing out the founders’ dream, Arango and Lam have brought the traditionally Asian-style doughnuts to Greenville.

“Me and my partner really love Korean culture,” said Lam. “I’m Vietnamese and she is Colombian, and we decided we wanted to open a business and came across these doughnuts. We thought they are beautiful, and we are also really into K-Pop and will have that type of music playing at the store.”

Arango and Lam came across the location by happenstance, said Lam.

“The space wasn’t listed yet. We just drove by and called the agent, and he had said it just became officially available,” she added. “It’s been a long nine months, but now, here we are.”

This Woodruff Road location will sell Korean-style Mochi Donuts, six flavors a day and switching out every other day, Korean corn dogs and bubble tea. They will be posting flavor updates on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday 12-6 p.m.

Lam’s family also owns the Saigon Market on Wade Hampton Boulevard. She said it’s the family business that has been open since 1995.

When asked if there are plans to open any additional concepts, Lam said she is tackling these two businesses for now.