Aside from the continuous parade of cars rolling through a temporary pop-up shop, the iconic Krispy Kreme sign is the only other recognizable remnant of the restaurant on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta's Midtown neighborhood.
Owner Shaquille O'Neal tells Audacy Atlanta's Maria Boynton that after 2 fires struck the business earlier this year, there was no question that it would be rebuilt. According to O'Neal while he wanted to keep the historic building, "it wasn't possible, so we're rebuilding it bigger and better."
The donut shop had been located at the intersection of Ponce and Argonne Avenue since 1965. Authorities ruled the fire in February arson. The second blaze was in July.
Krispy Kreme franchise owner Shaquille O'Neal says the restaurant sign will be used in making the eatery 'bigger and better'.Sam Crenshaw/Audacy Atlanta
O'Neal says he purchased the business in 2016 because it was a historical landmark and, "I'm all about making history and changing people's lives, and you know donuts, especially when that 'hot' light is on changes people's lives."
