Feb 21, 2008 5:55 pm US/Central
'Hole' For Donut Lovers: Krispy Kreme Leaves Minn.
(WCCO)
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Bobby and Steve's Auto World just started selling Krispy Kremes a few months ago and they sold well. (File)
CBS
Minnesotans could hardly wait until they arrived but now, just six years later, Krispy Kreme is out of business in this state.
Donut aficionados waited over night for the first Krispy Kreme store to open in Maple Grove back in 2002. Cases of the glazed goodies flew out the door. That location closed unexpectedly early Thursday morning.
Those looking forward to starting their morning with a Krispy Kreme donut got a rude awakening.
"I was really surprised they went out of business. The way they were starting I thought they'd be around for a long time," said Krispy Kreme lover Cash Johnson.
By Thursday afternoon, the signs were already coming down.
"Just not making the dough. Just not enough retail, not enough wholesale. We're a retail, wholesale operation and the retail just has not even met our expectations ... It's just disappointing," said Molly Spoor, the Director of Operations for the Maple Grove location.
Bobby and Steve's Auto World just started selling Krispy Kremes a few months ago and they sold well.
"I normally at least get them at least once a week," said shopper Bill Goodman. When he heard they won't be sold in Minnesota after Thursday:
"Seriously? Is this some kind of bad joke?" he said. So he didn't waste time snapping up the remaining chocolate covered donuts.
"Two of my favorites for sure," said Goodman.
Krispy Kreme's sudden departure from Minnesota has blind-sided retailers too.
"Yesterday, early afternoon we received a call saying that tomorrow would be our last delivery so it was a complete shock to us. We had no idea this was coming," said Bobby and Steve's Manager Jared Scheeler.
A move that's left a hole in the hearts of Krispy Kreme lovers statewide.
Business analysts say Krispy Kreme's decline started when the franchise grew too quickly. They say it lost some of it's mystique once the donuts were available in grocery stores, gas stations and kiosks.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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