The iconic Krispy Kreme in Midtown is in shreds after demolition began Wednesday morning following two devastating fires that happened within months of each other.
Located on Ponce de Leon Avenue since the 1960s, the 24-hour doughnut shop played host to countless late-night memories and frequently had a line of cars wrapped around the building from the drive-thru window. On Wednesday, the iconic sign stood tall with a message from celebrity owner Shaquille O’Neal: “We will bounce back better than ever.” Directly behind it, the green roof was coming apart and piles of debris scattered the fenced-in parking lot.
The shop has been closed since Feb. 10 when it was gutted by suspected arson, leaving the back of the building a charred shell and melting much of the interior. Five months later, a second fire set back redevelopment efforts.
The store’s owners applied for permits soon after the second fire to demolish what remained of the building and eventually rebuild, according to a statement from Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. That process began Wednesday, with some bemoaning the loss of the doughnut shop on what should be a celebratory day for Atlanta as the newly minted World Series champion city.
Krispy Kreme plans to bring back joy to Midtown with a temporary, pop-up shop at its current construction zone site in December, the company said. Details regarding the pop-up will be released soon. A new permanent shop, which will include the current sign, will be built and opened in 2022.
“As we and Shaquille have said since after the first fire, our plan is to rebuild as soon as possible … and be back better and sweeter than ever,” the company said in its statement. “We know how much the local community loves the shop and that love is absolutely mutual. We pledge to keep the community informed as we embark on the path to turning back on our legendary glazer and Hot Light at Ponce and return to sharing awesome doughnuts and lots of joy there.”
TNS
TNS
The location opened in 1965 and was overhauled in a 2003 renovation. O’Neal purchased the franchise location in 2016.
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