The first doughnuts delighted those who waited -- many gave an ovation as the early batches were unloaded from a truck. But others were disappointed that the pre-dawn free doughnuts were not hot and were not baked on the premises -- a hallmark of Krispy Kreme stores. Although the doughnuts are available in boxes in supermarkets, Krispy Kremes are to be eaten only while hot, aficionados say. Most stores bake their own; the Dupont Circle store is part of a new concept of hot-glazing already-baked doughnuts.
That was among the chief complaints of Zac Corker, 22, who nibbled on his free doughnut about 6 a.m. He had arrived about 4:30 a.m., hoping to give his sister, Jamaica, 25, her first taste of Krispy Kreme. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea for the past two years, she had only heard legends.
Corporate employees Piper Anderson, center, and Becky Shelf pass out doughnuts to those waiting in line at 5:30 a.m.
(Photos James A. Parcell -- The Washington Post)
|
|
"This was going to be the ultimate first Krispy Kreme," Jamaica said, shrugging off yet another offer of a cold doughnut. "It didn't live up to the hype."
After the pre-dawn crowd had been fed, the area around the store cleared briefly, before the next crowd: the commuters.
With the store not opening until 10 a.m., some took coupons and free doughnuts in good humor. But others, particularly those who had promised to bring treats for coworkers, were visibly unhappy.
One, Jane Gilmore, seemed startled. It was 7:55, and co-workers had asked her to bring doughnuts because she lives in the neighborhood. "I'm [mad] they're opening at 10," she said, after slamming the doughnut coupon onto a newspaper box in anger. "Everyone's at work at 10."
A few minutes later, she returned, smiling. Someone had explained the delay was caused by construction, she said, though the actual cause was city paperwork for the certificate of occupancy.
"And they gave me a dozen free," she said, flashing her coupon.
The doughnuts sold at the Dupont Circle store are actually made in Alexandria, although the glaze is applied on location so the doughnuts are served hot. Three neon signs that read "Hot Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Now" in windows facing Connecticut Avenue, 19th Street and Dupont Circle are turned on to signal that fresh doughnuts are for sale.
Tony Martin, 24, stuck his head against the window, making his "puppy dog face" at workers inside. No dice. He waited for nearly a half-hour before making his way into the store about 11 a.m. He was supposed to be at work, he said, but no matter. The red light -- "it's a beacon; it calls for me," he said.
As he stood in line, Martin pondered what could make so many people spend their nights and mornings waiting for doughnuts.
"I didn't think it would be this crazy," he said. "I thought I was the one lone nut."
