A former Nationwide Insurance employee who quit his corporate career at 59 to buy a donut shop has brought his second location to 240 N. Liberty St. in downtown Powell.
Jeff Steen opened Glazed Over's Powell location in February after spending months in 2025 renovating the space and installing equipment. On opening day, customers lined up outside at 5:30 a.m.
"I got creamed the first couple weeks. We're something new, and people came in, lined up outside at 5:30 a.m. to get in here," Steen told Delaware Source in a profile published Aug. 3.
The shop's display cases hold more than 30 types of donuts, plus croissants, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cupcakes and custom cakes. Glazed Over also serves Crimson Cup coffee, a Columbus-based roaster, along with tea and specialty-flavored milks.
Steen's path to the bakery business started in 2019, when he spotted a "for sale" sign on his local donut shop in Upper Sandusky, the town where he grew up. He was working at Nationwide at the time.
He bought the shop, hired some of the previous workers and learned small-business operations from scratch. He survived the COVID-19 pandemic in his first years as an owner.
Powell was a natural fit for a second location. Steen lived north of Liberty High School for 20 years and raised children who attended Liberty schools. His son's girlfriend designed the donut logo and pitched the name Glazed Over.
Partnerships beyond donuts
Since the opening rush faded, Steen has focused on letting customers know the menu extends well beyond donuts. He provided iced cookies to a nearby Chick-fil-A for an event and sells cookies at Brooklyn Pizza next door. He also offers custom cakes and full pastry service.
Business slowed.
Steen attributes the dip partly to customers not realizing the shop offers more than donuts, and he said two locations is plenty with no plans for further expansion.
The shop is part of a broader wave of commercial activity downtown. The Powell Development Corporation reported 19 new businesses or startups through April 2026, a 170% increase over 2025, according to city meeting minutes.
Steen has also attracted regulars, including neighborhood kids who ride their bikes to the shop. One boy arrives with a $20 bill and knows exactly what he wants.
Glazed Over is open Thursday through Sunday, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop shares its block with the Powell Chamber Farmers Market, which runs Saturdays through Oct. 3. Customers can reach the shop at 614-224-2442.
