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Blount Business |
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Richy Kreme Do-Nuts… |
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Richy Kreme Do-Nuts There is nothing in this world like a fresh Richy Kreme Do-Nut. It’s fluffy and sweet and reminds you of everything good in this world. In 1948, Marion Richardson filled with rack with doughnuts at the shop on Old Knoxville Highway across from Eagleton Ball Park. He had moved his family to Blount County in 1939 after operating a doughnut franchise in Danville, Virginia with his brother. Saying he had a flour blend that would make a better doughnut, Mr. Richardson went back into the business. Blount Countians have been thanking him ever since. Richy Kreme Do-Nuts has become a Blount County tradition. 53 years later, the same ingredients and recipes are being used to create confections that are still pleasing customers again and again. Clay and Katie Collins purchased the business and kept the tradition going from 1996 till this year. In March, Charlotte Glass took over. She was the Collins’ bookkeeper. Already acquainted with the staff and operations, she jumped in and never missed a beat. “We are serving customers that were born here, moved away, and moved back and new residents. We have not changed the recipes and the process, but we have extended the hours to accommodate the people who want to stop after work,” Charlotte says. Even Charlotte’s office is steeped in tradition. It’s located next door to the doughnut shop in a building that once housed the Richy Kreme Drive-In Restaurant where, once upon a time, you could get a Richy Basket dinner with a fresh doughnut for dessert. The restaurant was famous for its soft serve ice cream, but those mouth watering doughnuts have long since eclipsed it. Chris, Jimmy, and Patricia make the doughnuts now. They start at 2 a.m. and Charlotte says they take great pride in the making of six to 16 batches a day. When you walk through the door, your senses are immediately overwhelmed by the sweet smell of the doughnuts and you see the smiling faces of front clerks Deane Cable and Darlene Payne. Charlotte and her staff have had plenty of time to dissect the donut business. “Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are the busiest days. We have discovered that our customers seem to request chocolate covered on rainy days, and glazed doughnuts are the best sellers in the afternoon hours,” she says. Charlotte says the doughnut holes are the best sellers among the children because of their size, but adults still love them, too. Some local businesses place orders with Richy Kreme Do-Nuts, every week. Church groups, government agencies, and businesses order several dozen for their meetings. There are customers coming in from all the surrounding counties, and folks from out of state will often drop in for a taste, too. Charlotte says a group of Russian students came by to taste the tradition. Some of them had never eaten a doughnut and they were amazed at the variety at Richy Kreme. “We have approximately 14 filled varieties available… Vanilla Cream, Bavarian Cream, Raspberry, Strawberry, Strawberry and Cream, Lemon, Blueberry, Apple Fritters, Éclairs, Cinnamon Buns, Cinnamon Twists, Cream Horns, Apple Cinnamon, and special flavors on UT home ballgame days,” she says. Add some cold Mayfield milk or a Coke and you’ve got a treat you’ll not soon forget. Although the ownership has changed, the tradition and quality of the fresh doughnuts has remained the same, everyday. “Richy Kreme Do-nuts is a wonderful part of the history of Blount County,” Charlotte says, “All of the staff are glad to be part of this and we hope that our customers will continue to be satisfied and come back God bless everyone and our country. If you want to add your business, church, or civic organization to the list of Richy Kreme’s satisfied customers, call 983-2580 for guaranteed orders. Richy Kreme opens at 6 a.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m. Saturdays. The store closes at 6 p.m. or whenever the last doughnut is sold. |
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