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The “hot light” turned on Wednesday morning, marking the return of fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts to Minnesota. 

The doughnut and coffee chain left the state in 2008. It returned with a new store in Fridley — and to hordes of excited doughnut fans. 

Over 100 people waited in lines outside and in cars at the drive-thru just before the 8 a.m. grand opening. 

The first person arrived at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Michael Kaplan of Wayzata held down the fort until his daughter, brother and nephew could join several hours later. He said they have a “mild, healthy addiction” to Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 

“Doughnuts are happiness with a hole,” said David Kaplan of Chanhassen. 

Krispy Kreme gifted the Kaplans a golden ticket which allows them to get a free dozen doughnuts each month for a year. The company said 120 people will be randomly selected to receive a ticket throughout the store’s first week. 

According to a news release, the Fridley store will produce Krispy Kreme doughnuts to be sold at select retailers across Minnesota. 

Patrick McIntyre, head of development at Krispy Kreme, declined to name the retailers on Wednesday but said customers in greater Minnesota can expect to find doughnuts on those shelves “very, very, very soon.” 

“They'll be located sporadically throughout the state,” he said. “They’re places where you probably go every day.” 

McIntyre said the last Krispy Kreme in Minnesota closed before he worked for the company and it was a franchise location, so he couldn’t speak to why it shuttered. 

Mariah Williams, 27, waited in chilly fall temperatures starting 6 a.m. and planned to buy three dozen of Krispy Kreme’s original glazed doughnuts to share with family. 

“They're amazing warm. Literally nothing like it. You can say there’s things like it. Nope, nothing tops Krispy Kreme,” she said. 

Williams recalled having Krispy Kreme doughnuts as a kid and said she’s been waiting for this return ever since. 

“I hope nothing changed. I hope it's just as buttery and melts in your mouth and just cozy. I want the cozy feeling. That's what I'm looking for,” said Williams. 

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The doughnuts chain opened 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Minneapolis suburb of Fridley. People began lining up around 1 p.m. the day before.

Krispy Kreme’s return to Minnesota draws hundreds for fresh doughnuts

Man and two children smile holding boxes of donuts

Krispy Kreme’s return to Minnesota draws hundreds for fresh doughnuts

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