Clearwater Travel Plaza is where many stop to get gas, snacks and other road trip goodies, myself 
included. But, for others it is a slice (or round) of donut heaven. Clearwater Travel Plaza from the outside looks like a typical gas station: trucker zones, mini mart, small family owned restaurant and a rest stop for tired travelers. Nelson Brothers Bakery lives inside of this bustling city, in a quiet corner in Clearwater, Minnesota – just off I-94 about 15 minutes south of St. Cloud.
Nelson Brothers Bakery is known around the area for their massive donuts. The sign out front reads “donuts as big as your head.” They aren’t wrong. The first time I went to Nelson Brothers, I got a large chocolate iced donut – freshly made – and the most disappointing part of it all was that I couldn’t finish the whole thing. The donuts are made fresh daily, and with over 30 different kinds of donuts, pastries, muffins and more, there is something for the whole crew. Their website boasts that they make 1,600 donuts per day and around 2,200 on the weekend! Talk about a production.
The other thing I really enjoy while stopping for a donut, are the employees. One perk about working at Clearwater Travel Plaza are the wide range of benefits that are offered to the employees, which isn’t too common in the industry. Clearwater Travel Plaza offers food and gas discounts, flexible scheduling, medical, dental, vision and HSA benefits, 401(k) opportunities as well as the chance to work in a fun and fast paced environment. Every time I pay a visit to Nelson Bros. Bakery, I always see a laughing group of staff, all looking like they enjoy their job and love working side by side with their coworkers.
Wendy – a spokesperson for Nelson Bro’s Bakery – was able to give me some insight into what it’s like working at the truck-stop bakery. They currently have 210 employees with about 150 of those working in the attached restaurant. At Clearwater Travel Plaza, they take pride in their employees. They have employee appreciation days several times throughout the year to show how much their employees are valued. Wendy mentions that in successful businesses, great teams are built, relationships are strong, and coworkers and customers can make life a lot of fun. While managing during Covid-19, Wendy stays true to her values. “The key is always treating others the way you would want to be treated, being patient and understanding that everyone learns at a different pace and has different skills they bring to the workplace. You have to have fun with them and the customers. There has to be disciplined learning and motivating, thanking and appreciation to create a successful business. With Covid-19, it just means you have to be even more appreciative to the ones still working and be even more sensitive to their concerns.”
With Covid-19 causing small businesses everywhere to close their doors to customers and limit their hours, Clearwater Travel Plaza and Nelson Bro’s Bakery is still up and running with a limited to-go menu. They encourage you to be kind to all staff as everyone is battling with separation and attempts to meet needs of others. “Customers through the years have become more unkind. It is important to rejoice in all the good ones whether it is staff or customers. It would be nice for mall customers to remember no business wants to a mistake, but chances are if you make a 1000 meals a day, something could go wrong. Just bring it to a mangers attention and let them fix it. They want you happy.”
Keep an eye out for specials and information listed on Facebook and Twitter and other Clearwater Travel Social Media. If you do end up stopping by, share a photo and tag Clearwater Travel Plaza. Happy Eating!