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Kenneth 鈥淐at Daddy鈥� Pogson and Tres Shannon, owners of Voodoo Doughnut, have gained a reputation for creativity since opening their first shop in 2003. But neither thought they would go so far as to become general contractors for their own renovation.

鈥淚t’s one of those things where you decide to do it and just go for it,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淚t’s been like conducting an orchestra, and there have definitely been some surprises, but that’s what these types of things are and we think we’re going to make it.鈥�

The owners said they have gained newfound respect for the construction industry since they closed the doors of their downtown location in late April to start a monthlong project to renovate and expand the flagship shop at 22 S.W. Third Ave.

The construction team has maintained the schedule for the shop to reopen by May 24, but not everything has gone as planned. For instance, asbestos was discovered in the glue that held the floor together, and the project was set back a day.

鈥淲e opened up a can of worms and there were a bunch of worms,鈥� Shannon said.

Because of exponential growth, the business had outgrown its 800 square feet about three years ago, the owners said. When longtime neighbor Berbati’s Pan announced it was downsizing, Shannon and Pogson decided to take advantage. They listed themselves as the general contractor and brought on family friend Bill Martindale, former director of construction with McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants, to help oversee the project.

Most of the additional 1,600 square feet will be for the kitchen area. The new lobby area will gain only about 100 square feet, and the entrance will move from Third Avenue to the former Berbati’s Pan opening at the corner of Third Avenue and Ankeny Street.

鈥淲e already know we are going to (irritate) people 鈥� with this because everyone liked the feel of the space and doesn’t want to see it change,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淲e aren’t trying to change the feel; we are trying to change the efficiency.鈥�

The new lobby will be more circular, with a path set to move customers through as quickly as possible. Shannon believes the wait time during peak hours will decline from two hours to about 45 minutes.

Shannon added that the team tried to maintain the same aesthetics and stabilize the historic building.

鈥淭he shop has always been shack themed, and we are trying to keep it that way,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are framing the new space with the same wooden feel and we will put a lot of the old decorations into the new lobby.鈥�

Pogson added that the shop would have collapsed eventually if improvements did not take place.

鈥淲e’d whipped the space into the ground,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t’s not only for the aesthetic; the place was going to fall down, it seemed like.鈥�

鈥淭hese subcontractors have all worked together before, so even though it’s been hard to get them scheduled for the right place at the right time, they’ve been great to work with,鈥� Shannon added.

The kitchen will not only be larger, but also include two 24-inch-by-24-inch fryers to replace the single 17-inch-by-24-inch fryer used since the shop opened. This will allow the business to expand production; Pogson said they hoped to hire 25 additional workers by the end of the year.

The exterior also will gain a slight facelift. The owners have enlisted the services of Portland-based Ramsay Signs to convert the neon Berbati’s Pan sign into a sign for Voodoo Doughnut. The sign will hang above the door of the new entrance.

Both Pogson and Shannon said the remodel so far has been a learning experience that will help them update the two other Voodoo locations and possibly add others.

鈥淟ocally, Corvallis has been coming up ever since we put the Eugene location in,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淏ut we’ve also been looking in San Francisco and Austin, (Texas), as well as Japan and Amsterdam overseas.鈥�

The owners also said they have worked on some new doughnuts. Once the new store opens, Thursdays will be dedicated to doughnuts featuring special jelly fillings 鈥� like huckleberry and habanero 鈥� from Lake Oswego-based Kelly’s Jelly.