An employee of Rae’s Dayz Bakery fills an order for doughnuts at the bakery’s grand opening celebration on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020.

Rae’s Dayz Donuts & Etc. brought Umatilla residents together on Saturday, Sept. 19, for celebration of the bakery’s grand opening — and doughnuts.

“Doughnuts are amazing,” Umatilla City Manager David Stockdale said. “They can be breakfast, they can be dessert, they can be whatever you want them to be. They’re affordable. … You can take them anywhere.”

Mayor Mary Dedrick told the crowd gathered in front of the shop prior to the ribbon cutting on Sept. 19 that owner Raelynn Gallegos has shown her support for the community in numerous ways since first opening Rae’s Dayz Diner in Umatilla in 2017.

“If you haven’t tried her doughnuts out, you are missing out on something awesome,” Dedrick said.

Gallegos originally opened her diner at 1290 Sixth St. in Umatilla, but moved the diner next door to a larger space next door at 1226 Sixth St. The new bakery is now located at the original diner location.

At Saturday’s event, she thanked those who have supported the diner and now the bakery.

“Thank you for welcoming me into your community, again,” she said. “I just love this community.”