Ma’s Donuts in New Bedford has settled with a new business name as donut sales become available to the public once again.

This year has been nothing but complications for the staple donut shop, but there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel. After a lawsuit was threatened by a Middletown, Rhode Island donut shop that shares the same name as Ma's, the New Bedford shop was legally forced to change its name.

Despite the outrage that spawned from loyal customers and lovers of New Bedford Ma's, it was out of everyone's hands, and now the new name is in place.

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Allow me to introduce to you "Grandma's Donuts & Coffee Shop," where the only thing different is the name itself, but it's a great fit once you know the full story. Hannah Lemieux, who is the owner and operator of Hannah's Kitchen, took over the lead role for the former Ma's Donuts with the help of her parents Scott Lemieux and Lauren Kellish. Sheila Lemieux, who is the current "Ma" in the family, is Hannah's grandmother, hence the new name. Get it?

Courtesy of Grand-Ma's Donuts & Coffee Shop
Courtesy of Grandma's Donuts & Coffee Shop
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Up and down Acushnet Avenue, traffic began piling in on Wednesday night around 6 p.m. as the Lemieux's posted that honey-dipped donuts and frosted coffee rolls were available for sale at the original 1972 location.

I sat behind the scenes and waited for the action and within three minutes, the first car pulled up. Within 20 minutes, the line was wrapped around the building. Finally, within 49 minutes and 38 seconds, all 52 dozen Grandma's honey-dipped donuts were sold out.

You can only imagine the disappointment that was heard throughout the lengthy line, but don't fret because there will be more this coming weekend.

Gazelle/Townsquare Media
Gazelle/Townsquare Media
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"I think it's original and definitely unique to keep the tradition going as a family restaurant business that gives back to the community," New Bedford local Steven Wynn said. "We all miss it and we all definitely love it as you can see (the long line). I'm excited to get some honey-dipped glazed donuts, those are my favorite ever since I was a kid and I haven't had one in God knows how long so I can't wait to get my hands on one."

Gazelle/Townsquare Media
Gazelle/Townsquare Media
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The Lemieuxs have been baking and practicing for months to make sure the donuts and products are up to par, hence why the front doors of the building aren't quite open just yet. The family has a few more things to take care of and are hoping to get the doors open before the end of the year, but the holidays could very well postpone the grand opening of the newly and legally trademarked Grandma's.

Courtesy of Grand-Ma's Donuts & Coffee Shop
Courtesy of Grand-Ma's Donuts & Coffee Shop
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In the meantime, the Lemieuxs' newly-acquired donut truck began making its rounds this past Saturday around the city, stopping over at the New Bedford Police Department and Southcoast Health, serving up delicious treats and donuts. There was even a "Trunk or Treat" event where kids could get complimentary donuts as the Lemieuxs continue the tradition of giving back to a community that has shown a tremendous amount of love through recent "donut drama" events.

Gazelle/Townsquare Media
Gazelle/Townsquare Media
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As fans and loyal customers wait eagerly for the front doors to open, rest assured that eventually Grandma's will be open soon, but not too soon.

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