Good news for Atlanta-area donut lovers! A grand re-opening date (and party) have been set for the Krispy Kreme donut store in historic Midtown Atlanta.
Thanks to our friends at Fox 5 Atlanta for this story and the video footage. The store is owned by none other than our man Shaquille O’Neal. It’s part of his big-time business holdings and investments, and was probably one of his favorite investments. We here at the offices of ShaqFu Radio know it would be our fav!
Unfortunately, the store was almost completely destroyed by a fire back in 2021. At the time, local police said arson was suspected. Who would torch a donut shop? Yet even at the time, Shaq and Krispy Kreme corporate leaders promised the store would be back, bigger and better than ever. Now that story is coming true.
Click here to see the demo video!
At the time of the fire, Shaq told the local news media the historic location would “Bounce back better than ever.” The store in the Ponce de Leon area of Midtown Atlanta is now set to open next week (as of this posting) on Tuesday, October 10th.
Krispy Kreme Global Chief Brand Officer told local reporters, “We made a promise to the Ponce community and all of Atlanta and we’re delivering on it. Everyone has been so supportive during our bounce-back process and we’re thrilled to turn on the Hot Light. Our longstanding presence in Ponce is core to the community. Beginning Oct. 10, delicious, fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts and all the happiness that comes with enjoying and sharing them will be back.”
(And yes, if you’ve ever been to a Krispy Kreme shop, you know the “hot light” is something to always be “on the lookout” for as you drive or walk by.)
The shop was very much a part of the Krispy Kreme company history. It was one of the very first stores in the chain, if not THE very first. In rebuilding this particular bit of donut history, the company says the new store “strikes a sweet balance between modernization and honoring its historical significance, including a custom mural and plaque, and a refurbishment of the iconic Krispy Kreme heritage sign that dates back to the 1960s.”
Once open, the new shop will employ more than 70 team members who will serve customers in-house and through the new drive-thru. The shop will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the area, you might want to stop by next week. Throughout the grand opening celebration, Krispy Kreme will randomly award 10 dozen lucky guests a Celebration Ticket worth a dozen free Original Glazed doughnuts every month for a year.
We’ll be right over!