Say goodbye to Krispy Kreme
The failure of the Fargo Krispy Kreme location now makes it all but certain that we probably won't be seeing a Grand Forks Krispy Kreme. Also, say goodbye to buying Krispy Kreme doughnuts at local gas stations.
Are you sad to see this company pull out of North Dakota? Had you been hoping for a Grand Forks location? Why do you think the Fargo Krispy Kreme couldn't make it work?
For the last couple of years now, the Fargo Krispy Kreme seemed almost deserted when I went to it. There were very few customers inside the building and even fewer in the drive-thru. I wonder if Tim Hortons would consider opening a location in Grand Forks? I would think that there are certainly enough Canadian shoppers in town that would patronize a Tim Hortons.
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Krispy Kreme is overrated in my opinion...
I don't know if the closing was specifically linked to Fargo. Kripy Kreme has all kinds of corporate problems. The last CEO tried to grow too quickly and too fast. Granted, the Fargo store was probably performing less than other stores, so that made it expendable, plus it is on the fringe of Krispy Kreme territory. I think it being deserted is not a sign of how it was doing, since most of their business was delivery or to go.
Question, is there a Dunkin' Donuts in Grand Forks? I attended UND from 1987-92 and the only donut place I remember was that place on South Washington that had a sign "Home of the Birthday Donut". I live in Rhode Island, and you can't drive 2 miles without seeing a Dunkin'Donuts. Also, our only Krispy Kreme in Rhode Island closed last year, so we are without also. I happen to love Tim Horton's most of all, and I agree that the Canadians would love to see one, probably right on I-29 so they can hit it going on and off the highway. Someone should really consider opening one!
There were two donut shops on South Washington in the past. I think the one was called Donut Hole and was located in the strip mall where Budget Music is now located. They served coffed and had a few booths. Same at the location where Starbucks now stands.
I had Krispy Kreme donuts a few times and didn't find them any different than fresh from Hugos.
I work at a hotel, and you'd be surprised how many Canadian guests ask for directions to Tim Horton's without realizing there isn't one in town yet.
I would drive to Fargo for a Tim Horton's, but if one were in Grand Forks, I would go there every. day.
I was never a fan of the Krispy Kremes. They were greasy and too sweet and just not good. It was all the rage when Krispy Kremes started appearing at gas stations around town, and I just didn't get it. Hugos makes some bomb donuts; I stop there every couple weeks for a big box to take into work.
It was Beary Best Cakes & Pastries that was on South Avenue at the 13th avenue corner, which is now a Starbucks. I remember when Krispy Kreme came to Fargo and I was working the inventory shift at Blockbuster video. One of the franchise owners came in with a big box full of Krispy Kreme treats for us and most everyone was so excited. I didn't think they tasted so special. It was more corporate hype and the flocks that follow, in my opinion.
Hugo's does make comparable donuts. I've never heard of Tim Horton's until now.
Canadians are obsessed with Tim Horton's ... if I had the money, I'd open up a location in Grand Forks right away! ... plus, their sandwiches and soups are quite good too!
There isn't a Dunkin' Donuts here. It's more of an eastern chain, and I wish there WAS one here.
Regarding Krispy Kreme closure, I'm not surprised. It has been very deserted the last few times I've went in there. Plus, I go out to Los Angeles at least once a year and this past summer we went to a Krispy Kreme which was completely out of the way but in the area we were in. Apparentely, a large number of them closed up shop out there during the Atkins craze.
Maybe it was time before it caught up out here. :P
The place you're thinking of on S. Wash was called The Donut Hole. It eventually was either replaced by or changed names to become Beary Best.
I think the closing of the Fargo Krispy Kreme was more due corporate problems (as was stated earlier) than any lack of business.
But, as was also stated earlier, local places make some pretty good donuts, so hopefully this helps their business out a bit.
And what is the deal with the Tim Horton's obsession?? I've been asked by Canadians randomly at West Acres (who rudely walk right up to you and just ask) if you know where the nearest one is located. I usually can only say Winnipeg...I have no idea!
yeah, I hate it when people actually have the nerve to TALK to me! The gall...Fargodev - maybe you need to relax a little bit and be helpful to your neighbors to the north who pump millions into the economy in Grand Forks and Fargo. Have a little patience and realize they are new in the city and want to find out what there is to offer. God forbid you take the time to make them feel welcome, huh?
Why is it rude for someone to approach you to ask a question? Isn't that part of the whole midwest personality, we are friendly people willing to help our neighbors? I dont know but it never occured to me to call someone rude who happened to ask for directions or if we have a certain store in town
The reason they left ? Maybe we are more healthy and donuts are full of fat and calories. Hugos couldn't stay open with only their donuts. greenglaSS4.
I don't think we are healthier here.
Hugos will never fail at doughnuts. Krispy Kreme did. No matter how much they tried to convince us otherwise.
I should've elaborated...sorry.
I say it's rude because they walk up to you and interrupt whatever it is you are doing (on the phone usually, occasionally while helping other customers).
Maybe Tim Hortons should open at the old Krispy Kreme location. At least then I could point them in the right direction.
A Tim Horton's Would be Great. They also have very goog (and inexpensive) coffee. If there was one in Grand Forks, it would make a mint...
Of course the problem with opening another restaurantis finding adequate labor. Take a look around, it seems like almost every fast food type place is hiring. Where will these new employees come from?
Hopefully this is a much needed pendulum swing in our society/culture. We've become less healthy and fatter as a nation. It's my hope that citizens are making smarter choices for their nourishment. Government regulation is a bad thing. Citizens making better/healthier decisions, that's a good thing.
Our society has become fatter mainly due to the price differential between healthy whole foods and the processed less healthy foods. It's more expensive and takes more time to eat healthy. I'd love to eat healthier, but my family has cut expenses everywhere - including the food budget.
Another shot at "rude" Canadians I see. Don't forgot who is driving the Grand Forks and Fargo economy, keeping property taxes down, etc,....that's right, Canadians and their money!
Keeping property taxes down? GF has some of the highest property taxes I have ever seen!
I have a solution...
donut tax.
Hugo's couldn't stay open on donuts alone because they make the worst donuts ever.
That's why.
"Another shot at "rude" Canadians I see. Don't forgot who is driving the Grand Forks and Fargo economy, keeping property taxes down, etc,....that's right, Canadians and their money!"
Contributing yes, but driving it?!?! I would like to see the statistics on that one.
Tim Horton's = Overrated
I love how everyone piles on Krispy Kreme (never had one) but sing the praises of another chain.
I might interrupt you, too, if I wanted to know something that could be answered in a second. Guess that makes me a rude American.
Why do you ascribe traits to Canadians as a whole, rather than individuals?
It would be interesting to ask THEM what they find annoying about us. I'm sure the list would be at least as long as ours.
Don't make fun of people who's money is worth more than ours.
About 30 years ago--give or take a few years--there was a Dunkin' Donuts in the little strip mall where Wall's Drug is on South Washington.
Have you been to Walmart lately...there are a lot of people out there who do not need donuts!
"About 30 years ago--give or take a few years--there was a Dunkin' Donuts in the little strip mall where Wall's Drug is on South Washington."
I was just about to say that! 30 years? God, was it that long ago? I remember going there when I was a kid, and I turn 32 today!
They closed all the Krispy Kremes in Tampa last year, and most of the buildings turned into banks for some reason. The one across the street from the restaurant I manage turned into a Christian teen nightclub that runs from 7-midnight on Fridays. Surprisingly, it's actually PACKED in there every weekend!
I think the donut shop near the Wall's location was Mr Donut. And it was about 30 years ago.
I don't know where everyone is getting that Hugo's makes good doughnuts, I found them to be well....bad, just like every other grocery store doughnut. During my time in Grand Forks I did not find one place that I felt served a decent doughnut. Of course I guess it all depends on taste.
That's right, Grand Forks has no taste in doughnuts. What a horrible place to live-we have mediocre doughnuts. Good God. I guess I'll have to move.
Did anyone else see the GF Herald opinion piece mentioning this blog and Tim Hortons?
Congrats to GFG! ! ! !
Raphael's in downtown Bemidji has the best doughnuts in the area. They are amazing!
Agreed on Raphael's in Bemidji, now that is good homemade stuff!
I'm sure many Canadians think Americans and rude as well. I would not disagree with them. Having been to many states throughout this country I have run into MANY Americans who are rude, and could also use a lesson in customer service.
That being said, I hate shopping in town when the Canadians migrate here. I recently went shopping on a weekend when 3/4 of the cars in the store parking lots were from Canada, and it was obvious in the store who was shopping and what country they were from. I'd bet I'm right 95% of the time in guessing when I run into a Canadian while shopping any day of the year. I appreciate them spending their money here, but they act like the retired old grumps I help day-to-day that act like I should feel privleged to help them.
"they act like the retired old grumps I help day-to-day that act like I should feel privleged to help them."
Ditto!
Geez, a lot of you hate Canada, I see... Are you all jealous of their free health care, or the fact they aren't 9 trillion dollars in debt, or what??
Yes, I'm jealous that Canadians have to wait months in line to see a doctor and have to keep their fingers crossed that they don't die before their appointment. And yes I'm jealous that Canadians are debt free because they don't jack in the world. Jealousy baby...jealousy.
If people were traveling to Grand Forks from South Dakota to shop in droves would you have the same kind of horrible prejudice against them? Honestly, where do people get off calling this area a place with wonderful people when it's clear that this bias against our neighbors to the north actually affects them. If you get so worked up about Canadians what's to say that you don't get worked up against other minorities in the area. Should I as a person of color start to worry for my reputation whenever I shop because I don't fit the glorious Grand Forks mold even though I've lived here since birth?
I never will nor will I understand how you treat these people. Especially that you must group them together.
"Yes, I'm jealous that Canadians have to wait months in line to see a doctor and have to keep their fingers crossed that they don't die before their appointment."
Oh yeah? Prove it. Seriously, if you want to perpetuate this myth then feel free...but do know that it is, in fact, just a myth that the Canadian health-care system is that inefficient.
They have it so much better than we do in the way of co-pays, HMOs, insurance, etc. Not nearly as much red tape as we have here, which turns directly into a more effective system of healthcare (although I have to admit, not as profitable).
As a frequent reader of this blog it amazes me that some people are dumb enough to believe that without Canadian visitors to GF (and Fargo to a lesser extent), that Grand Forks would have the variety of stores, restaurants, motels etc. that currently exist in a city the size of GF. I've been to many cities in the mid-west, south-west, west coast that are roughly the same as GF but have about half the retail outlets that this city has. As for health care in Canada, I could get in to see my doctor the same day I needed him if I had to. And if was for a condition that required hospitalization, I wouldn't have to re-mortgage my house or search for a new medical insurance provider when I came out!
I tend to ignore anon. posted comments but hey, whatever works. People talk a lot of "smack" when they can hide behind their monitors. Lets face it. There are rude Canadians and there are rude Americans. Canada has its problems (stolen cars as I found out on here) and America has plenty too. I find it funny that some Dakotans may disrespect Canadians, when half the US considers North Dakota basically the same as Canada.
The last thing I try and do is make my "judgement" on a nationality/race/whatever based on anon. comments posted on some random blog. I bet the number of people that believe Canadians don't contribute to the economy is incredibly small.
My relatives in Los Angeles said the same thing about Hispanics in that area. They drop merchandise on the floor of stores and didn't pick it up. Let their kids run around the stores. I doubted it and thought it was just negative comments-until I went shopping. I had to agree with them. Maybe some of it is cultural or just the attitude that some folks don't care about other people'e property. I hope Americans are well behaved when they visit other countries but some of us probably drop the ball too.
rrskylar is out to lunch. Just recently the GF City reported holding property taxes due to sales tax revenues mostly generated from....you guessed it, Canadians. Who fills all the hotel rooms? Check out the license plates in the parking lots. Yes GF would still have new businesses, but it is logical that many are only coming to GF after considering the stream of Canadian population who visit.
Grand Forks treats Canadians the same that it treats UND students. Glad that you spend your money here, but we really don't want to hear what you have to say, hence elections in June instead of November. People don't like taxes and if we want healthcare like Canada, then we would have to pay the higher taxes that they pay also. That is why they come down here to go shopping-less tax and more selection. BTW-I am not a UND student, only former UND student years ago.
More selection in Grand Forks than Winnipeg...funny.
Also, can someone explain to me the difference between posting anon and posting under a fictitious screenname?
There is no difference other than the ability to follow a thread. But, hey.
Elective procedures are not treated the same in Canada. I'm not talking about tummy tucks. People from Canada do come to the US for orthpaedic surgeries or wait 2-3 years in Canada-in pain.
Misinformation about the Canadian health care system. Yes we somtetimes wait, months not years. Does n't cost us anything though (except in high taxes). I'll take higher taxes with the security of knowing that if I get sick, I won't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to pay for the health bills.
Google "insurance". That may help you understand health care a little better.
No need, I am sure you understand the Canadian health care system vs somebody who lives there.
Since my husband is in the military my healthcare is almost free. Why would I want higher taxes when more people could stand up for their country and get the same benefits I do?
So you would advocate marrying a soldier rather than paying for healthcare? That's a rather poor reason to marry someone, in my opinion.
No I am advocating for lazy ass people around here who complain about not having healthcare to go out and get a real job.
I would rather be dirt-poor from medical bills than go fight W's war..
Then don't complain about the medical bills or insurance rates.
W's war???? Let's not do that to our soldiers. They are over there losing buddies. Let that not be over Bush. They are just doing their job. They aren't fighting in "W's War". They are fighting for us.
"Standing up for your country" and "lazy ass people...getting a real job" are two different things. And this all started wtih Krispy Kreme.
I think the Nazi's made people marry soldiers for "benefits" didn't they?
Iraq wasn't a threat to us, atleast not as much of a threat as Bush and his friends could profit from a war out there. It's too bad we had to lose soldiers over it...and yes, I've personally known soldiers killed over there. It's really too bad, let's hope the public uses their head this November.
Umm anonymous 9:42, you need to get some facts straight. I agree Bush and congress sent us over there with thoughts of profit, but we aren't there because of a threat to us. It's called Operation Iraqi Freedom, we are helping to free the Iraqi people from the "bad guys".
Just so everyone doesn't hate me and think I support Bush let me say it now... I don't support Bush or the war. I want the troops out more than anyone. I was just clearing things up for the anonymous poster.
jess- we didn't go into Iraq with the intentions of saving the Iraqis. Pretty sure it was nuclear weapons, but big surprise (or not) there were no nuclear weapons.
That being said, Krispy Kreme is gross.
You are both right we went there looking for nuclear weapons but our mission has changed to helping the Iraqis.
It's a war that was started on the assumption there would be WMD (not nukes) present in defiance of UN sanctions (I really hate to say it, but Saddam was smart when he didn't have any WMD on hand OR store any within the borders of Iraq, I wonder who's laughing now), AND the public was fooled into thinking it wasn't about contractors making insane profits in the millions/billions. And now that we started this mess, we think it's easy to pull out, even though we don't really understand how it is over there. If you can imagine a Lutheran killing a Catholic (just for being Catholic), then you can begin to understand daily life over there...good luck.
Clueless, absolutely clueless. Maybe read a little about Radical Islam before you formulate your opinions.
Just a suggestion.
Geez, the left wing radicals sure don't like any debate, which is typical....they are right, and everyone else is wrong.
Interesting how a discussion on donuts branches into so many other topics!
Why is the term radical associated with left? I think the majority of Americans, regardless of politcal affiliation, want us out of Iraq. We will never resolve a religious war. Only lose thousands of lives and trillions of dollars. What a mess. And private contractors make money. This surge that is making things look better in Iraq cannot be sustained forever. Only until some poor soul who makes it to the Presidency has to clean it up. And then some of you will make hay with that.
The poster who is under the impression that only lazy folks without a "good job" are lacking in health care is living in a sadly laughable state of gross ignorance.
There are many many jobs which are populated with hard working primary earners that do not provide health care, or only pitiful token coverage.
Health insurance is a tricky subject. More and more small businesses can't afford to cover their employees, and the US government has proven they cannot run a health insurance program. In my opinion, the answer lies with many European countries: Government sponsored primary care insurance administered by private health insurance companies (think SCHIPS on a larger scale). Every American would have their screenings, mamograms, PAP smears, etc. covered while small businesses or private individuals would carry catastrophic health care coverage for major hospital stays. Our society would be healthier (in theory), and the insurance costs to businesses and individuals would lighten - it's a win-win.
On another note: I know an airman at the GFAFB who carries military insurance for 14 individuals (he's been married four times - cheated on the first three so far!). I'm sure the "stand up for your country" argument was directed at people picking up a weapon, but pointing out blatant abuses of a military "perk" is equally as patriotic in my mind.
Personally, I enjoy Krispy Kreme donuts. I am going to miss them.
Yeah, man, the troops are over there fighting for my Krispy Kreme! *nom nom nom*
How about the idiots that waited in line for hours to get the last donuts? Why didn't they go during ANY time during the week when they were never busy. Then maybe they'd still be around?
Im not even going to try and use the correct HTML to quote, but the person who state that:
On another note: I know an airman at the GFAFB who carries military insurance for 14 individuals (he's been married four times - cheated on the first three so far!).
Isnt it true that the minute a divorce is final a dependent loses all military benefits? I know that I didn't have insurance as soon as my ex husband and I were divorced but our on was covered because he was still considered his dependent. And say that all the wives could be covered, does he have 9 children as well. Im not sure why I even care but this just jumped out at me as something that sounded quite odd and not exactly right.
"This surge that is making things look better in Iraq cannot be sustained forever. Only until some poor soul who makes it to the Presidency has to clean it up. And then some of you will make hay with that."
Thank You! There was never any doubt that adding 30,000 soldiers would reduce the violence. Bu the surge has simply gotten us back to the level of violence Iraq experienced in 2006. And what was the purpose of the surge in the first place? That's right, political reconciliation. And, how's that going?
From Krispy Kreme to Iraq...hmmmm...
^ Krispy Kreme *to* Iraq?!
Now your talking!!! That'll surely solve all their problems! Or at least cause coronary heart disease to start eating away at the relative percentages of deaths due to violence.
Prolly many Iraqi folk would gladly trade a relatively long life filled with Krispy Kreme followed by a sudden heart stoppage rather than pursue the current fate of electric drills to the kneecap and strangulation by electrical cord.
Anyone who thinks the Iraq War was a good thing needs to get their head out of their ass.
and if anyone thinks there was no reason to go into Iraq needs to remove their head from the same place.
so the reason is?
If the islamic fascist want to fight, let's do it over there and not in our back yard.
Oh-oh! You used too big of words for him. Here's a link to dictionary .com.
http://dictionary.reference.com/
still waiting for reason
If the islamic fascist want to fight, let's do it over there and not in our back yard.
You must have missed it.
Still waiting for a reason. The key word being reason. You must have missed it.
The comment section won't allow us to draw you a picture, but you probably wouldn't understand that reason either.
o what are the feelings almost three years later about opening a Tim Hortons in Grand Forks and/or Fargo or at UND or NDSU? Does it still make financial sense? What competition is there now if any???
This comment is lauhable! I am from another state, transplanted to Grand Forks for work, and I am apalled at the rude behavior of the North Dakotans I have met! People here stare, ignore you when you speak to them, and they are cold and unfriendly. I have also traveled extensively through Canada and have never been treated in such a manner up there. By the way, down south we have mo Tim Horton's but we've heard of them! They must be good because they seem to have a fine reputation! I have heard great things about their coffee.
It was Mr. Donut and was right across from the Italian Moon in the Walls strip mall. My mother's best friend and her husband bought it and ran it until it closed.
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