MACON, Ga. — Tommy Sadler says he's been baking donuts his whole life, and on Saturday, he'll bake his last ones.
This week, Sadler announced he is selling Tommy's Bakery and Cafe in West Macon.
13WMAZ sat down with Sadler and the new owner for a transition that's bittersweet.
"I mean, I've got some very close friendships ... tomorrow is gonna be a very emotional day," Sadler said.
After nine years, Tommy Sadler is saying goodbye to Tommy's Bakery and Cafe.
"This job has been so demanding on my body. People don't realize it, but when you work 10 to 12, 14 to 16 hours a days on this hard concrete floor doing what I do, it works on you," he said. "I just felt like it was time."
He says after prayer, he decided to sell the bakery and cafe - though it wasn't an easy decision.
"It's gonna be hard, but I made a lot of close close friends in this place," he said. "I've witnesses to a lot of people in this place and I hope I've been an influence to people in this place."
He says he has met a lot of people through donuts and catering - such as Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty.
He also got to cater for Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart. Smart gave Sadler a signed helmet.
"I took the box and on the inside of the box lid I wrote, 'Since you decided to give us that 63 to 3 butt-whooping, the least you could do is send me a Georgia helmet for my bakery, because I don't have one.' I've got everything but Georgia and two weeks later, I got it," he said.
Sadler says he will always treasure that helmet. For all of the good times, Sadler says he also went through some struggles.
He says had two near-death experiences, once with COVID-19 and once with a back infection - but his faith and sense of community helped him through the hard times.
The new owners are Shurrod and Joi Dickey.
Shurrod Dickey says he is ready for this next chapter, but nervous to start.
"This isn't just any old restaurant this is a staple in the community," Shurrod Dickey said. "I realize what this is, I understand."
Joi Dickey hopes to run this place the way Sadler does, she says. She says each day he is learning and taking notes.
Saturday will be Sadler's last day making donuts, and he says he would love for people to stop by and see him on his final shift.