By Molly Taylor
MORE than 75,000 doughnuts have rolled off the production line since Mount Gambier’s regional Krispy Kreme Hot Light Factory opened in December.
The OTR Mount Gambier East and Krispy Kreme site launched late last year and its unique Blue Lake doughnut remains in its top five sellers, complemented with the sale of the iconic Molonys Blue Lake Lemonade at the site.
An estimated 1400 people have also experienced the Hot Light doughnut feature at the Ramsay Avenue site, which employs 50 people across the two operations.
OTR Mount Gambier store manager Sonia Langenberg said the grand opening was overwhelming but the new team was finding its feet.
Ms Langenberg previously managed the Portland site and moved to the Limestone Coast to take on the role.
“It is a lot of absorb in the first little while and we have had a couple of little teething problems, but other than that it is business as usual for us,” Ms Langenberg said.
“It is just great for Mount Gambier too, to have such a high end offer.
“You often see stores like this in the cities, but the country doesn’t always get the nice stores and now Mount Gambier has a few also with Coles, Aldi and other developments.”
Ms Langenberg said people had embraced the combined OTR and Krispy Kreme service and the 24/7 site was extremely busy.
“We are already seeing some regular cycles with different shifts and tradies which come through fairly regularly,” she said.
“More and more truck drivers are also using our facilities with our truck lounge as well which has everything set up for them.
“Christmas Day was massive and you wouldn’t think people would eat hotdogs and pies, but they do.”
Krispy Kreme retail manager Simon Burchell said the site had opened with a big bang, praising the community for its support.
“We have a steady stream of regular clients who the team look forward to seeing, and it has certainly exceeded our expectations so far,” he said.
“I certainly feel as though we have captured people’s interests.”
Mount Gambier City Council elected members discussed the opening during last month’s meeting and Councillor Christian Greco labelled the site an enormous economy boost.
“Whilst yes it is a service station and a donut shop, to this town it was a big injection into the local economy with the input of what the build cost was and they are also employing 50 locals, a lot of them being young people in their first jobs,” Cr Greco said.
“It is another opportunity for kids to get into the workforce early and learn those basic skills.”
