From left, Cameron Webb, Assistant Manager; Keith Hemaver, General Manager; Jake Day, Salisbury Mayor; John Hall, Wicomico County Councilman; Durand Bivens, Assistant General Manage;r and Kris Schmidt, District Manager; join in cutting the ribbon on the new Krispy Kreme in Salisbury.[/caption]

Tim Shaver from Hebron was pleasantly surprised to learn he was the 100th customer in line at the grand opening of the new (and first) Krispy Kreme location in Salisbury.

What does that get him? Only free doughnuts for a year.

The first 100 people in line at 6 a.m. on Tuesday were handed a T-shirt and Krispy Kreme card to redeem one dozen free doughnuts each month for a year.

“My brother was in the service so when we were kids and would go visit him in North Carolina we would always make a trip for Krispy Kreme doughnuts,” said Shaver. “Around here you can get them from a gas station or convenience store but they just aren’t the same as when you get them hot and extra gooey.”

Another thing that isn’t the same is the actual layout of the Salisbury location.

A North Carolina (the motherland of Krispy Kreme) development firm hired all local contractors, led by Gillis Gilkerson of Salisbury, to complete the renovations on the building.

The team stripped the former Bay Country Meals down to its original studs and gave it a makeover to transform it into the “hottest” Krispy Kreme Doughnuts retail store.  

“The building has come a long way - it looks completely different,” said Mauricio Rivas, director of operations, Krispy Kreme.  “This particular store is a one--of-a-kind with a new style and totally different color scheme.  It really is a great looking facility.”

“The viewing area, retail curve, display case and expo center are new to the Krispy Kreme store design,” said Gabby Ali, marketing manager.  “They all enhance the flow and experience for customers the second they walk through the door.”