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Winston-Salem, N.C., may have given their name to a couple of brands of cigarettes on the shelves today, but it's not their tobacco products we love most. It's their doughnuts.
In the late 1930's Krispy Kreme opened their first store in Old Salem and began hawking their yeasty crack-like confections that were the basis for the glazed doughnut we know, love, and will basically kill for today.
The company has had a rocky yet innovative history. In the 40's and 50's they invented, built, and distributed their own brand of both doughnut-making machinery and pre-made mix to their chain of stores. By the 60's they were pretty well known in many areas of the Southeast and put the finishing touches on their own brand. By 1976, with the company in some trouble, they were bought by Chicago-based Beatrice Foods. But in 1982 they were bought from Beatrice and became, once again, an independent corporation.
In 2000, we finally got the first Krispy Kreme in Chicago, and soon many stores started popping up all over the place, much to our delight. But growth of the company nationally was a bit too fast. Soon 17 of Chicago's stores closed, along with many others around the country. Cases of Chapter 11 bankruptcy sprang up everywhere except Chicago. Until now.
Sweet Traditions LLC, the Chicago franchise for Krispy Kreme based in St. Louis, has filed for Chapter 11. They also intend to close "about half" of their Chicago stores, cutting around 20% of their work force in the area. Maybe it has something to do with their trying to make their doughnuts healthier.
We're sad to see them dying in town, but happily we still have the Union Station location to purchase our quick fix from. And we'll continue to regularly purchase from them to insure we always have a supply on hand. However, should they consider taking that particular store away, we may have to revolt. Or make friends with someone in the Southeast and open a FedEx account....
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.org, edited by Peter Mavrik.
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Dude, this sux. I busted out with two dozen Krispy darlings last night after getting home from the bars.
I washed each donut down with a shot of Grey Goose--I got so sick! It was awesome!
I never liked Krispy Kremes. I am more of a cake doughnut guy. Still, Chicago is really not a hot bed of good doughnuts. Anyone have a spot?
I had a gut feeling that something along this lines was soon to be announced.
I reside in the south-burbs, and the one in Midlothian was not open several times that I have passed it in the early (1-5am) hours.
I finally stopped in recently during daylight, (something that rarely occurs w/ me and doughnuts), and noticed new hours of 6am-10pm. That might explain the wolf-packs of Midlo cops now present during those insomniac hours.
I used to go there very often, but hardly at all anymore. Judging by my last experience, I think they are a one trick pony. My original glazed were warm and perfect, but the assorted others tasted days old, and the coffee is worse than gas station quality.
Maybe the novelty has finally worn off?
Peter, I asked to be the business guy here but was rejected. I appreciate your local Chicago business news, however.
As far as Krispy Kreme is concerned, I feel that they got hit hard by the health and obesity scare that happened several years ago.
Why Dunkin' Donuts is doing well is anyone's guess (breakfast menu?) but Krispy Kreme, while not exactly licked, needs to reorient and revamp its retail concept.
In any case I look forward to your posts.
matty: I'm sure this is only part of it, but Dunkin' Donuts does about 2/3 of its business through coffee sales--seriously.
damn - thats a shame. I love that place.
@ce
I would have to agree with that statement. I see tons of people bucking Starbucks in favor of DD Coffee these days
This would have been a perfect title for those people moaning and crying about their Cheetah Gym.
Oh Noes I Can't Hang Work Outz With Other Shallow Frat Boys! Oh Noes!
This is not surprising. It's extremely difficult for a national chain to break into the Chicago market nowadays, and Chicagoans love their Dunkin' Donuts.
No big loss.