FLEMING ISLAND – Comparing a Parlor Doughnut to a regular doughnut is like comparing a Ford Pinto with a Ferarri.

First, they really aren’t doughnuts, which may be why the newly opened store at the Fleming Island Shopping Center on County Road 220 has become so popular.

And it may give the franchise a chance to succeed at the same location another trendy doughnut shop recently failed.

“We’re trying to expand to different sectors in Jacksonville, and we bought the rights up to Clay,” said co-owner Izzy Gubias. “It’s a place where people and families can come in, especially on weekends, and have a donut and coffee.”

Mini Bar Donuts opened an upscale doughnut shop at the same location. It also offered a unique menu with pastries being about one-third the size of a traditional doughnut. They also were made to order.

But the 2,200-square-foot store closed 10 months later.

Parlor Doughnuts, which has expanded to 47 national outlets, including 13 in Florida, hopes to be different. Gubias said the site was appealing because the buildout process was particularly smooth.

Parlor Doughnuts are made in small batches, which guarantees freshness. They aren’t anything like a traditional cake or yeast doughnut. They’re the size of a croquet ball, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Technically, they’re a cronut, buttery layers of croissant dough fried and glazed with toppings.

The selection of flavored toppings is staggering. There are 27 selections, including Dreamsicle, raspberry pistachio, strawberry shortcake, turtle cheesecake, campfire, churro, blueberry hill, maple bacon, peanut butter cup and maple pecan. The store also has two Keto doughnuts, gluten/vegas-friendly, dog doughnuts and minis.

If you don’t see the doughnut you want, they can make one.

The shop also includes a variety of fresh-ground coffee, juice, kombucha and milkshakes.

One of Parlor’s immediate appeals has been driven by social media. Many first-time customers said they saw reviews and photos online.

One review by Taylor Vagrin Dyees on the ClayEats Facebook page said she visited the shop three times before making her post.

“Let me start by saying, these donuts are nothing short of perfection!,” she wrote. “Their texture strikes the perfect balance between crispy and fluffy, and the flavors are absolutely delightful. I had the pleasure of trying the churro donut, the French toast donut, and to cover all the bases, I even grabbed a box of minis. And boy, oh boy, let me tell you, each and every one of them was simply divine.

“Now, I couldn’t resist venturing beyond the donut realm and decided to give their bacon breakfast taco a whirl, not just once but a few times! And let me just say, it did not disappoint!”

“People can walk here and bike here. It’s like a neighborhood hangout,” said co-owner Craig Mullen.

(Staff reporter Lee Wardlaw contributed to this story.)