Krispy Kreme signs lease at Roanoke shopping center
The doughnut company's iconic Roanoke store was heavily damaged by fire in May.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Krispy Kreme, which closed its iconic Roanoke doughnut shop after it was heavily damaged by fire on May 31, has signed a lease for a space at a Southwest Roanoke strip mall.
Grant Clatterbuck, president of Sentinel Properties, confirmed Wednesday that the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based doughnut company recently signed a lease for the space formerly occupied by Padow’s Deli and Dave’s BBQ at Townside Festival Shopping Center on Franklin Road. Sentinel Properties owns and manages Townside Festival.
It is not clear whether Krispy Kreme plans to manufacture doughnuts at the southwest Roanoke site.
Lafeea Watson, a spokeswoman for Krispy Kreme, wrote in an email Wednesday that the company is still looking for a site for a new doughnut factory to replace the Melrose Avenue location, which was both a retail space and a manufacturing facility. Trucks picked up fresh doughnuts there every day and took them to retail locations, such as grocery stores and convenience stores.
“While we haven’t settled on a final location for that shop, we believe we are close to making a final decision,” Watson wrote.
“Additionally, as it will take a number of months to build the new Doughnut Factory, we are considering opening a small temporary retail outlet at Townside Festival shopping center that will offer Krispy Kreme’s full menu of one-of-a-kind doughnuts, as well as a complete menu of iced beverages and our Signature Coffee blends,” Watson wrote.
She did not disclose any locations being considered for new construction.
The strip mall currently houses Montano’s International Gourmet, Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and Treatery, and Capt. Party, as well as several other businesses. It is also directly across the street from Krispy Kreme’s biggest local competitor, Dunkin’ Donuts.
Clatterbuck said Krispy Kreme plans to outfit the former deli space to suit its needs. He does not know when the company may be ready to open at Townside Festival.
Roanoke’s original Krispy Kreme location was open in the 4100 block of Melrose Avenue for more than 55 years. At about 7:45 p.m. on May 31, the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a call at the shop. Firefighters found smoke billowing from the eaves when they arrived.
The blaze was under control within about 15 minutes, but fire department officials said it caused about $100,000 in damage. The cause was determined to be an electrical failure in the attic.
On June 3, Krispy Kreme officials announced that the company would not repair the shop, instead opting to shutter it for good. About 50 people were employed at the store at the time of the fire.
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THE ROANOKE TIMES
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