Yes, it’s taking a little time. But our man Shaq is good to his word, and now that word is – he’s getting ready to start rebuilding one of his Krispy Kreme donut shops in Atlanta.
This isn’t just any regular Krispy Kreme, either. This location was one of the very first built by the company many years ago in a near-downtown neighborhood. The company is super-popular around the country, but especially in the south, where it got started.
This particular store was nearly destroyed by a fire in February 2021 – almost exactly two years ago. At the time, police and fire reports indicated the fire was very likely the result of arson. Who would deliberately set fire to a wonderful old donut shop?!?
Well, the past is in the past, and now the future is being revealed. O’Neal is making good on his promise … putting the final steps in motion to rebuild this particular Krispy Kreme shop.
On his IG feed and other social media outlets, the NBA legend-turned-businessman shared computer-generated photos of plans for the new-and-improved doughnut place.
The shop is located in the famed and historic Ponce de Leon area, just east of downtown ATL. Shaq is saying the donuts and (great) coffee will be flowing again as soon as later this summer.
Shaq: “I told u me and @krispykreme would bounce back better than ever in Atlanta! Can’t wait to turn on the Hot Light at our brand-new Ponce shop this summer.
For those who don’t know (how could you not know?) the “hot light” is a long-time staple at Krispy Kreme shops everywhere. When it’s on, that means the donut machine is working, and fresh warm donuts are just a drive-through stop away!
O’Neal originally bought this location as part of his business expanding into franchise locations back in in 2016. After the fire in 2021, he was quick to say the store would be brought back to life… and now that’s happening.
Not long after the first, O’Neal told local reporters, “We will bounce back better than ever.” That came as good news to the Ponce community and the Krispy Kreme company as well.
This particular shop is considered one of the most famous in the country. This was the shop that provided donations of boxes of treats to mourners who flocked to Atlanta to grieve the death of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
Krispy Kreme company executive Dave Skena is happy to be back, saying, “The community has shown us so much support and patience as we designed the new shop.”
Shaq chimed in: “Get ready, Ponce!”