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Sophie Trudeau started donut visits in Ladner

Prime Minister’s wife paid a visit to Boca Grande Donut Shop in October

It isn’t just Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who likes donuts – it appears his wife Sophie does as well.

The PM posted a photo of himself last week in Winnipeg gourmet donut shop Oh Doughnuts carrying several boxes that he was taking back to his Liberal colleagues who were in the city for cabinet meetings.

But it was actually Sophie Trudeau who started the donut craze when she paid a visit to Boca Grande Donut Shop in Ladner Village back in October when she was on the federal election campaign trail in support of Delta MP Carla Qualtrough.

Boca Grande owner Crystal Avila Toigo posted a photo of her and Sophie at the shop on Monday to their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Toigo said when she showed up at the shop, they only had one donut left. It was Mexican Vanilla.

“We talked for a few minutes,” recalled Toigo. “She said she is proud of us and really loved the vibe in the shop and was happy we opened a place like this in the Ladner Village.”

Avila Toigo opened the doors for the first time on Sept. 18 at the storefront location in Ladner Village on Bridge St.

At the time it was supposed to be a ‘soft’ launch, but that quickly turned into a full launch with her delicious donuts flying off the shelf in record time.

Those donuts have continued to fly off the shelves as there is a consistent line-up at the store every day.

Her donut creations are to die for. They include the Nanaimo Bar (yeast donut, custard buttercream, chocolate glaze and coconut chocolate crumb), the Emma Lea strawberry cheesecake fritter (Emma Lea strawberries, strawberry pie filling, strawberry cream cheese buttercream) and the Cinnabomb (yeast cinnamon bun with cream cheese buttercream). There are also Vegan and Gluten-free options as well.

Boca Grande was also mentioned on Monday as one of the top donut spots in Vancouver on Iheart Radio’s trending section.

“Being recognized as one of the top donut shops in Vancouver in just four months is something we couldn’t even imagine,” she said. “Thanks for the love everyone, we couldn’t do this without you.”