BOONE, N.C. — Crosses sit in a cup next to the register at each Hole Lotta Doughnuts shops. They are meant to represent the Christian business, but for Mark Holland, they changed his life.

Holland worked in the corporate world for 30 years until he went to Hole Lotta Doughnuts in Ashe County.

"We had a business that was not afraid to stand up for Christian values and say they are part of the Christian faith," Holland said.

He decided to become a partner, and now, he, his wife and the original owner have opened two more locations in Boone and Lenoir.

"That doughnut is rising, and now we are going to put it through the roller," Holland said of the doughnut-making process.

Each doughnut is cut by hand and then frosted. The flavors, like peanut butter and jelly, are drawing people in because they are unique, and it's their size that has people stopping. The doughnuts are five inches long.

"When you see the children walk in here and see a five-inch doughnut, and see the smile on their face, and then you see the parent or grandparent smile, that's what we do. That's what we're all about," Holland said.

The Lenoir store has a community room and a prayer room inside.

The Boone store is also a little different. At that location, there are games for people to play. They also make popcorn in the store with flavors that keep changing.