Council member wants Kripsy Kreme open

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A Mobile city council member has made a move that he hopes will bring a Krispy Kreme in Mobile, back to life.

Co-owner Bob Glidden said he closed Krispy Kreme’s doors because they couldn't afford to add a city-approved drive-thru.

"We're trying to revive and replace business that's been lost with wholesale with a drive-thru and invest that money to make it a viable business,” Glidden said.  

Councilman William Carroll drafted a letter asking the city to give one last look at the business's proposed drive-thru. He said he wants the city to do what it can to support local businesses.

"We are asking administration what’s necessary to make sure we've gone above and beyond what we need to do to try to keep one of Mobile's business in the location it's been operating in for awhile,” Carroll said.

Owners said the city didn't deny their request for a drive-thru, but it did ask for it to comply with city regulations, which could cost the business about $300,000.

Owners worried the changes the city requested, could make for an uncomfortable trip for customers.

"We're not going to have our customers park out back here, the back of the store and walk around, go in the front and turn around and walk back,” Glidden said.

Some customers said they enjoy ordering from their car.

“It’s just much quicker and a lot more convenient, especially in the cold weather tonight” said one customer.  

Other’s said it doesn’t make a big difference.

“We rarely do the drive-thru because it's a family experience, so it wouldn't bother us about the drive-thru,”  Mary Lynn Frantz said.

Owners said they doubt they could re-open the business at the same Government Street location again, but would consider opening somewhere nearby.

Until then, their Hillcrest location will serve as their main Mobile location.