Krispy Kremes go cold in Mundelein

Krispy Kreme's famous "Hot Doughnuts Now" red neon sign has gone dark in Mundelein.

Anyone wanting a sugar fix at Krispy Kreme's Route 60 store Monday would have found locked doors and shades covering the windows. The shop was open as recently as late last week.

The sudden closure was a stark contrast to December 2001, when the shop first opened.

Police officers were needed for traffic control to handle an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 customers who flocked to the debut. Fans were lined up outside the front door for Krispy Kreme's signature hot glazed doughnuts before the 5:30 a.m. opening.

Sweet Traditions LLC operated the Mundelein Krispy Kreme, the first in Lake County. Company President Laura Schlegel didn't return calls seeking comment.

Mundelein Trustee Ray Semple said while Krispy Kreme wasn't a major sales-tax producer, it still is disappointing to see any local business close. He said he hopes the building can be filled with another restaurant.

Semple recalled the grand opening, where visitors could see the doughnuts being made and then rolling off a production line.

"It was almost odd," Semple said Monday. "It was such a huge and publicized opening, one would have thought it was going to be an anchor for the whole community, but in reality it was a doughnut shop."

Sweet Traditions' Gurnee Krispy Kreme remains open just east of the Tri-State Tollway and Grand Avenue. The company at one time claimed to be one of the largest Krispy Kreme franchisees, with 25 locations in Illinois and Missouri.

In September 2007, St. Louis-based Sweet Traditions filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Krispy Kreme has been struggling at the corporate level since a 2004 accounting scandal. Its stock price closed Monday at $3.08 -- roughly a 72 percent drop from one year ago.

Last week, Krispy Kreme announced that on June 2 it'll start selling a new Caribbean doughnut with tropical fruit for a limited time.