Rudy’s Donuts Building for Sale for $1.7 Million

Castro Valley’s Donut House is up for sale, but that’s just the building, not the business itself, according to the Ducato family, which will continue to make and sell their famous donuts.

“For Sale” signs went up last week with a listing price of $1,749 million. A person answering the phone number on the sign said the building has been on the market since the beginning of October, and there were several significant interested buyers but could not comment further.

According to the listing, the sale includes 2,780 square feet, comprised of the larger 1,987-square-foot space occupied by Rudy’s Donuts and a smaller 793-square-foot retail space. The iconic building on Castro Valley Boulevard has 16 parking spaces and could be part of future redevelopment opportunities. 

Initially built in 1959 as a drive-in dairy, Rudy's has been making and selling donuts since 1987. Shirley Ducato and daughters Angela Ducato and Gina Alfaro manage the business. The building was sold in 2022 to local dentist Dr. Jennifer Young. 

Dr. Young planned to convert the donut shop into her dental office, and she had other plans for the side building. She hoped to move her dentistry from her current leased location on Jamison Way. Young said the business sees about 70 patients weekly, and Rudy’s site would have let her serve her 2,000-plus patient list.

However, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) twice denied the plan. Board members cited difficulty re-zoning and formally applying the project with the county in its decision. Dr. Young confirmed the sale of the building to the Forum. 

Meanwhile, Rudy’s continues to operate and serve donuts in “a state of limbo,” Gina Alfaro told the Forum. 

“We still have a lease in place, and we’ll be here for many years to come,” Alfaro said.