Two bits of Wichita doughnut news you won’t want to glaze over
There are doughnut developments in Wichita that just can’t be glazed over.
In one piece of news, Parlor Doughnuts has decided where — and roughly when — it will open its first Wichita store.
In another, the owner of Crispy Donuts, which opened on West Street in early 2023, is about to expand.
Here are more details on both:
Parlor Doughnuts chooses its address
Over the summer, I reported that Parlor Doughnuts, part of an Indiana-based chain, would be expanding into Wichita thanks to a group of franchisees: Craig Young of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Jesus Diaz of Kansas City; and Byron Smith, a local real estate/equity investor in Wichita.
Since then, the group has been looking for a place to open its first shop, which will specialize in the “layered doughnut” — a doughnut-meets-croissant creation more commonly known by the trademarked word “cronut.”
On Tuesday, Diaz confirmed that the franchisees have chosen the former Hurts Donut space at 7010 W. 21st St. The franchisees have to do some cosmetic work to the building, he said, but they hope they can be open there in three to four months.
“It’s a good location. It’s a good part of town, and it’s second generation, which makes it an easy conversion for us,” Diaz said.
The owners particularly liked that the building had a drive-through, which was on their wish list. The space has been empty since Hurts Donut franchisees Aaron and Jenni Courtney decided not to renew the lease in July. Hurts had operated there since 2015.
The Parlor Doughnut franchisees are now searching for a spot for a second store, they said this week, and they’re targeting the College Hill area. They hope to have their next shop open nine months to a year after the first one.
“We’re really interested in the area,” he said. “We just have to find the right spot.”
Crispy Donuts expanding
Meanwhile, a doughnut shop that’s been open in the former Taco Tico building at 460 N. West St. since February 2023 is about to add a second location.
Lee Kang said that he’s taking over the former Chick’n Pop building at 3233 E. Harry. Kang said the new shop should be open by mid-December. He’s aiming for Dec. 15.
Though it won’t have a drive-through like the West Street shop, the new Crispy Donuts will have the same items. It will be open daily from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kang, who also has Crispy Donuts shops in Dodge City, Garden City and Hugoton, said he hopes to open at least one more in Wichita. He’s looking at property now and trying to decide between two.
One fun fact: Before it was Chick’n Pop, the building Kang is taking over at Harry and Hillside was the longtime home of Chicago Donuts. It was built in 1972 and also was the home of Wichita’s very first Dunkin’ Donuts.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 11:41 AM.
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