The Donut House, on the southeast corner of First Avenue and Pike Street, was a popular hangout for runaways and street people. In 1979, a youth was stabbed to death in the doorway. Yet, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the young people who hung out at The Donut House thought of themselves as a family, and the shop as a drop-in center.

In October 1979, an organized crime task force raided the business. Shop operator Guenter Mannhalt was charged with dealing drugs and masterminding robberies at numerous restaurants in the Seattle and Bellingham areas. Several employees had committed the crimes and testified against him, and he was convicted in September 1981. In November 1981, the owners of the building decided not to renew Mannhalt’s lease, and The Donut House closed.

Here, the bright lights of the Donut House shine onto First Avenue as customers enjoy nighttime snacks. The dog (left) appears to be hoping for a taste of one of the 52 Delicious Varieties.

Caption information source: The Seattle Times: December 25, 1980; August 22, 1981; September 18, 1981; November 29, 1981.
Caption information also derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.