New Donut & Bagel Shop Brings Artisanal Flavors To Bristol

There is perhaps nothing more synonymous with the morning than bagels and donuts. Having one of the two delicious food items can be the best part of your day if done right. The key to finding that perfect pastry all lies in where you go and finding a restaurant that balances great food with a welcoming atmosphere. 

Little Buddy Friend at 2 Pond Street in Bristol Borough is aiming to be one of those places. 

Sean and Jules OBrien are the husband and wife duo who opened the shop together recently.

The pair has had experience in the restaurant business before opening the new shop.

Sean has been a chef for a long time and has worked in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

The experience of operating Little Buddy Friend is something that he has clearly enjoyed. 

“For me, it’s just fun,” said Sean about the business and cooking. “It’s not stressful.” 

Little Buddy Friend, which first started around when COVID-19 first hit, sold items like bombolini, a type of donut, and people could purchase on social media sites.

The popularity of the fresh food eventually turned into the idea of a restaurant. 

When looking for potential locations, the couple looked in other areas in the region, including in Doylestown Borough.

But the neighborhood and how helpful the other businesses were helped them settle in Bristol Borough.

The name of the shop, Little Buddy Friend, comes from the couple’s son.

That vibe, one that is intimate and friendly, is something Sean and Jules have worked to craft in the borough, they said.

Sean explained that he wants customers to stop by for a few minutes, buy a donut or a bagel, and get to know someone.

One of the draws of the shop includes their fresh food. This includes their unique donut flavors that you can’t find at popular chain shops.

One of those flavors, chocolate hazelnut, is a popular one and was the flavor the shop first started with. 

Since many of their flavor ideas are so unique, it is fair to wonder where they come from.

According to Sean, it comes from experience. 

“We both have so much experience,” said Sean.

He also mentioned they also pull ideas from other areas of their lives.

Sean and Jules also post on social media and ask their followers what flavor they should do next.

They said that someone recently suggested chocolate orange pistachio.

Little Buddy Friend’s location is perfect for customers and the duo, who have worked to create a welcoming environment.

“When you walk through the space, you’re like, ‘this feels right,’” said Jules. 

Sean and Jules run the shop and get to catch up with the customers.

“We put everything that we have into it,” said Jules.