A new Krispy Kreme location is opening in Toronto, but locals are divided

Krispy Kreme is gearing up to open its final Toronto location in South Etobicoke, but local residents are branching out into this massive international chain, establishing a foothold in the West Lake Shore Boulevard and Mimico Avenue area.

A new Krispy Kreme is weeks away from opening in the former Beer Store at 2454 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Permits for the new restaurant were filed in May 2023, and reports indicate the new location will open this spring.

According to one neighborhood resident, they “walked by the other day and it looked like it was about to open.”

Some are excited about the new way to satisfy their sweet tooth around here.

“They've been working for months to open it!” One local resident wrote, “We are waiting for the day.”

Others are not sold at all in the new addition to the area, with one resident saying: “I've tried them once and never again.

Aside from personal tastes in donuts, several residents expressed concern about large chains crowding out small businesses.

“Unfortunately, we're starting to get more and more chains around the neighborhood, and the mom and pop places are disappearing,” read one comment.

A similar split in the Toronto area occurred in 2023 when another new Krispy Kreme location was announced for the Pape and Danforth neighborhoods. Locals are divided over the addition of a donut shop in an area known for its concentration of independent, family-owned restaurants.

The new Etobicoke location marks Krispy Kreme's eighth location in Toronto and ninth in the Greater Toronto Area.