THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE!
Krispy Kreme doughnuts are more popular than tobacco. I started my posts to tell stories about tobacco. But, I made a brief stop on Tobacco Road to tell the history of a doughnut. That post had 50% more “clicks” in the first three weeks than the next best post which was about tobacco stocks.
And a record number of people responded with memories that go back as far as 70 years. I am sharing their comments. (In the Krispy Kreme story, I forgot to mention that the original shop was located directly across from two local women’s schools, Salem Academy and Salem College. That location played prominently in some memories. A store on Stratford Road replaced the original store.)
“SWEET” MEMORIES
Loved the history on Krispy Cream. I did not know how far back the history stretched. I just always was told it started in the first store across from Salem College. My best friend here is Becky. Her husband was an attorney who went to Wake Forest Law School. That is how they met. Salem College girls and Wake Forest guys sought out one another. She often went with her college friends across the street for those yummy Doughnuts. She grew up in Houston Texas. Nancy, Wilmington, North Carolina
Love the historical background to this iconic product. I don’t eat them much, but they are mainly sold in 7/11 stores here in Australia. I bet they use a lot more chemicals to improve shelf life, sadly. Christian, Australia
Great article!! Love those donuts. So glad I don’t live near a shop. 😁😁 Would surely founder on them. Mary Ann, Missouri
Thank you, Gene. As a former resident of Winston-Salem and a graduate of Wake Forest University, the Krispy Kreme location on Stratford Road was always special to me. Duke, Raleigh, North Carolina
I can’t tell you how many trips at 2 o’clock it the morning that I had to go to the Trade Street Krispy Kreme plant to respond to the plant manager’s request to “get you’re a** down here ‘cause we got labels flying all over the place”. I did the packaging for Krispy Kreme. (Thanks George. I suspect they were a demanding customer. I assume they gave you a dozen hot doughnuts after getting you up at 2am.- gh) One hot donut off the end of the line and a carton of cold milk !!!!!! George (package manufacturer) Charlotte, North Carolina
Your doughnut story is making my mouth water! Matt Charlotte, North Carolina
Gene, I always thought that Krispy Kreme was started in Winston-Salem. What a surprise, reading your article about the history of how it happened to come to Winston because of Camel cigarettes. The growth of Krispy Kreme Corp. is amazing. Such an interesting read. I always learn something new from your writings. Krispy Kreme Donuts will always be my favorite Donut. I do not eat them very often because I can never stop at just one. Your Grandfather gave you good advice. I have to say I do enjoy a glass of wine every evening. Keep writing. Ann, Pinehurst, North Carolina
Did I ever tell you that my wife attended Salem College for two years before we were married in 1958? John, Charlotte, North Carolina
You put a lot of research into this! Another company Kellogg’s used rollers to make corn flakes with the same rollers used to flatten tobacco! Kenneth, Vass, North Carolina
The Krispy Kreme post brought back memories good and not so good. Dad used to go by the store on Stratford Road after “a few too many.” He’d pick up several dozen and deliver to friends around town. Odd for a dentist who knew sugar causes cavities… I too saw the outlet in Bangkok and took a picture to send to my brother. Also, on one flight to Japan, I saw a young girl carefully carrying a box on her lap! Japan is famous for adopting the latest craze… A friend and I stopped by the store in Salem, VA one night when the HOT sign was on and asked if we could try the glazed before they were glazed. It was a disappointment as they tasted of nothing. Jennifer. Riner, Virginia
A good read early in the morning! When I was in Japan (with Tobacco International), I travelled to Winston Salem often on a crusade to get Japanese quality in the factories. On each trip, we had factory floor Q &A's in the break rooms. I always took boxes of Krispy Kreme Originals as a starter! They were always well received! And eventually the Japan Quality Standard was accepted, and I understand became the only export standard! … You mentioned visiting a KK store in Thailand. When the brand was launched, there were long queues for many months. Local entrepreneurs had their staff in the queues and charged a fee for fast delivery… I visited the Philippines earlier this month and at Suvarnabumi airport, there were passengers carrying KK boxes to the Philippines, where KK is also in the market, so maybe Thailand products have a better quality!...I live 30 kms outside Bangkok and the local shopping centre has a KK outlet, which is responsible for my inability to lose weight!...I am hoping that Bo Jangles (a North Carolina fast food retailer that specializes in buttered biscuits - gh) follows the KK lead! Keith, Thailand
I grew up on Georgia Avenue, several doors from the Rudolphs. Eldest son Carver Rudolph was my best friend at the time. We spent many Saturdays at the KK factory on Ivy Avenue, “taste testing” glazed doughnuts. I can remember single handedly eating one dozen at a time. (An accomplishment in which I also take great pride.- gh.) John, Yadkinville, North Carolina
I’m from Winston-Salem. We used to cut Moravian Church Sunday School in Old Salem and walk over to Main Street for Krispy Kreme donuts & milk. Later when we were teens, we would go to Krispy Kreme on Stratford Road at 11PM on Friday & Saturday night dates for donuts. The boys would have a 1/2 dozen hot off the rack, and we girls would usually have 2-4. It was the greatest. You couldn’t even hold the hot ones between your fingers because they would just collapse, and they melted in your mouth. The most delicious thing ever!!! Beverley, Austin, Texas
I just happen to be staring at an empty box of Krispy Kremes right now. P.S. I am with your daughter. (My family’s tradition continues. How often have I stared at an empty KKD box!- gh) . Angie, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Nancy Holder was a prominent contributor to Going Down Tobacco Road. I called to wish her a Happy 92nd Birthday a few days before the Krispy Kreme post. She recalled that in the early 1950s, she and her husband and two other couples would leave Sunday morning church service and drive across town to the Krispy Kreme shop where they each enjoyed a coffee and a doughnut. (My estimated price – Doughnut 5 cents; “bottomless” cup of coffee 5 cents.- gh)
KRISPY KREME SOLVES A MEDICAL PATIENT PROBLEM
Some years ago, a bat invaded my condominium, and I had to get a series of rabies shots. On my first visit to the hospital, I waited for well over an hour, even though my own doctor had made an appointment. On each subsequent visit, the time improved, but not much. So, I decided to arrive at 6 in the morning, just as the hospital section opened.
On my first early morning visit, I was the only patient there. After 15 minutes, I asked the scheduling desk attendant when I would get my shot. Her reply was short, “All the nurses are busy. Sit over there, and I’ll call you when they are ready.” I sat and watched the nurses for another 10 minutes and then I went to the young lady and said, “Look. The nurses are all standing around drinking coffee. They are not busy!” With resentment, she got one of the nurses to give me my shot.
Before my next appointment, I visited a friend, Dr. Tom Koontz, in Montana. I told him about my hospital experience, and he began to laugh. He then gave me a piece of sage advice. Dr. Koontz has been a star basketball player, a Morehead Scholar, and a surgeon – but his advice also showed me his practical side in medical administration. He said, “The secret is hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Take them to the nurses on the early morning shift.”
So, at 6 o'clock in the morning I arrived carrying the white box with the KKD logo. When I walked into the reception area, the same young lady immediately recognized me, and the look on her face told me that I was not a welcome sight. But I handed her the box and said, “These are for you.” Her face broke into a smile. She shared the doughnuts with the nurses, and I was out of there with my shot in less than five minutes, with “Thank you’s” all around. That box turned an uncooperative “gatekeeper” into a friend for life.
KRISPY KREME REPRISE
Fond memories of KKD on Battleground Ave. in Greensboro. My dear mother would stop there almost every time we went to the nearby orthodontist as a treat for me trying to be a reasonable patient! We also frequented KKD and Mayberry’s ice cream when I attended NC Governor’s School @ Salem College campus in 1983. Thank you for your research and write up.