Two new doughnut shops in Collinsville and East Alton bring extra bites. That's how co-owner Greg Rayho describes his new business, Glazy Squares. His business makes fresh-baked glazed doughnuts in a square shape that gives customers four more bites than the round variety their competitors make. Rayho recently talked about his doughnut shops with business writer Will Buss:

What are Glazy Square doughnuts?

"It's like your normal doughnuts that are handmade, but it's square-shaped, so it has four extra bites on it. They are fresh and are not made with preservatives. They are made with flour and yeast, and we make them fresh every morning."

How long have you been making doughnuts?

"We've been in the doughnut business since March. I, personally, had not really been making doughnuts before then."

Why did you open a doughnut shop?

"There really wasn't one here. There was a need."

Is this your first job outside of the military?

"Yes. I spent nine years and 11 months in the army."

Was this always your plan?

"We knew we were going to open a doughnut shop in Collinsville. We first went to bid on some equipment at a shop in East Alton. When we got there, we thought we could turn it around, so we bought it. Six months later, we opened up in Collinsville, where we always intended to open."

How long have you been in business?

"We opened in East Alton on March 1. We opened in Collinsville on Sept. 17."

What have you enjoyed most about your new career?

"Meeting the people. I love the regulars who come in and making new friends."

Do you have plans for further expansion?

"I believe so, but we'll see what the new year brings. It's very possible. It's doing very well."

Besides your square-shaped doughnuts, what separates your doughnut shop from your competitors?

"We really go all out to have the best. I believe our cake doughnuts are the most popular. I have been told that on a daily basis from customers who span all generations. They say our cake doughnuts we make are the best. We also are open seven days a week when a lot of bakeries are only open five days and are closed on Sundays and Mondays. We are veteran owned and operated. Vets are always welcome and appreciated here."

Name: Greg Rayho

Job: Co-owner of Glazy Squares Donut Shop at 1833 Vandalia St. in Collinsville (344-0200) and 14 W. Airline Drive in East Alton (259-2920)

Outlook: "It's like your normal doughnuts that are handmade, but it's square-shaped, so it has four extra bites on it."

Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 239-2526.