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Hamilton Spectator

Krispy Kreme opens in Hamilton to lineups and campers

The 'hot light' at Krispy Kreme is officially on , Hamilton. The red sign which signals that fresh and hot original glazed doughnuts are being made was aglow Tuesday morning, as the new Rymal Road East location welcomed its first customers about an hour after sunrise — marking an opening day more than a year in the making. Hype around the new location started brewing back in January 2024 , when The Spectator first reported that the multinational doughnut and coffee chain would be expanding to Steeltown with one of its theatre hub locations. The new shop spans roughly 4,600 square feet and features a drive-thru window, dine-in seating, as well as a theatre area, which allows customers to watch the doughnuts being made fresh. The excitement about the opening continued to build around noon on Monday, as eager fans arrived, some to camp out outside the shop, in hopes of getting a golden ticket, redeemable for a free dozen doughnuts once a month for the next year. Levi Hetrick, chief growth officer for Krispy Kreme Canada, told The Spectator that the first man in line, Dale Murphy, had the honour of turning on the Hot Light shortly after the doors opened at 7 a.m. 'It's been super fun,' said Hetrick. 'We had almost 20 people spend the night here in order to be first in line. It's been really positive.' The shop was bustling when The Spectator arrived just before 9 a.m. Tuesday, as folks lined up inside and cars made their way through the drive-thru, which had an expanded staging area set up ahead of time as the company prepped for any upticks in demand, noted Hetrick. Doughnut loving drivers line up in the drive-thru at the new Krispy Kreme location at 1280 Rymal Rd. E. in Hamilton on May 13. Inside, customers were each given paper hats as staff handed out hot glazed doughnuts fresh off the line. More to come.