Lifestyle

Los Angeles Dessert Innovation Takes Over The Middle East (And The Rest of The World) at 3rd Street Donuts Shop

Published

4 years ago

February 9, 2021

If you’re ever catching yourself asking where you can find a piece of America in the Middle East, look no further. 3rd Street Donuts is where you can find a list of over a dozen specialty coffees and a one-of-a-kind, secret donut recipe that is directly imported from one of the finest American bakeries in Los Angeles, California.

The shop carries over 120 flavors of donuts, rotating from 40 to 50 flavors a day. They are made fresh daily and decorated beautifully in-house with a wide variety of colorful toppings for every occasion. The shop also offers a wide variety of artisanal hot and iced coffees that resemble those at your typical American coffee shop.

Mundhir al Alawi, founder and owner of 3rd Street Donuts, visited local, family-owned donut shops practically everyday while living in Los Angeles, California. He quickly fell in love with the dessert and the many distinct ways it could be prepared, depending on its unique recipe. Needless to say it didn’t take long for his newfound love of the fluffy treat to trigger the idea of a potential business endeavor.

But in order to remain as authentic as possible to his favorite donut shops in L.A, Alawi knew he’d have to create an American-style donut recipe for his small business. He proceeded to hire an executive pastry chef, and, in collaboration with an American bakery, designed the perfect donut recipe that would later become the secret signature staple of 3rd Street Donut Shop.

Thanks to the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Oman, the shop’s top-quality ingredients for its secret recipe are imported from California whilst remaining completely duty-free. Since the innovative recipe requires special ingredients from both countries in order for the dessert to remain perfectly soft and fluffy, fellow competitors in the area using local ingredients have tended to fall short in competition.

There are currently three 3rd Street Donut Shop branches in Oman and more to come within the following year. By the end of 2021, the shop will be making its way into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai, and Bahrain. The business has also recently started accepting franchising applications which can be found on www.3sdonuts.com.

And if a delicious secret donut recipe imported overseas isn’t enough to bring you into the shop, its excellent customer service will do the trick. The shop’s owner made sure to put the customer’s experience at the forefront of his business by training staff to provide both innovative products and a wonderful dine-in experience. Each 3rd Street consumer is meant to be a friend and a lifetime companion of the business. “We are innovative in everything we do, but we always make sure to put the customer first,” owner and founder Mundhir al Alawi explains. “It’s always about making them feel like 3rd Street Donuts is a part of their home, and that whenever they walk into our shop, they understand that they are the most important.”

Join the 38,000+ members of 3rd Street Donuts’ digital family by following @3sdonuts on Instagram and follow their journey on their new locations coming soon. For more information on business opportunities, visit their website.

Lifestyle

Why Classical Dance Is Thriving on Instagram

Published

6 days ago

April 28, 2025

Michelle Langton

For centuries, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak have been treasured for their elegance, complexity, and storytelling prowess. But in recent years, these age-old traditions have found an unlikely stage: Instagram. From intricate mudras to rhythmic footwork, young dancers are captivating audiences worldwide, all in the span of a 60-second reel.

So, what’s fueling this revival of classical dance on a platform known for trends, filters, and viral challenges?

Instagram, with its visual-first format, has become an ideal space for artists to share their craft. Classical dance, rich in visual storytelling, translates beautifully into bite-sized performances that are accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Reels are short enough to grab attention but long enough to convey the essence of a classical piece,” says one of Spardha’s dance teachers, actively creating dance videos for the Instagram page of Spardha School of Music and Dance, an online platform for performing arts education. “You don’t need an elaborate stage or hours of performance; a simple backdrop and good lighting can bring your art to life.”

On Instagram, young dancers bring a fresh approach to traditional art. They skillfully blend classical compositions with trending audio tracks, often choreographing pieces that resonate with younger audiences.

These videos show how classical dance can be relevant in today’s world as young artists reinterpret popular songs in classical style. Such performances respect the tradition, make it accessible to a larger audience by making classical dance relatable.

Social media has also given classical dancers something they’ve never had before: a global audience. Platforms like Instagram allow Indian artists to reach audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

And the feedback loop is immediate. Unlike traditional performances, which are confined to auditoriums and limited audiences, Instagram reels receive likes, comments, and shares in real time, creating a sense of community and encouraging more engagement.

The rise of online platforms for learning music and dance like Spardha School of Music and Dance has further fueled this trend. Spardha provides structured lessons in classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and even Bollywood, making them accessible to young learners regardless of their location.

“Many of our students have taken what they’ve learned and showcased it online,” says a representative from Spardha. “It’s incredible to see them not just learn the art but also innovate and present it in ways that inspire others.”

By offering online classes, Spardha ensures that classical dance is no longer restricted to physical studios, enabling dancers to connect with their culture through dance no matter where they are in the world.

The success of classical dance on Instagram lies in its ability to blend heritage with modernity. The younger generation, armed with smartphones and a passion for preserving their roots, is making classical dance both aspirational and accessible.

Dance has always been about expression, and Instagram is just a new way of reaching people.