Mayor Williams has been busy over the summer. Check out his latest proclamation:
“WHEREAS, on August 24, 2004, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will be opening its first Washington, D.C. location in Dupont Circle; and
WHEREAS, Krispy Kreme, best known for its original hot glazed doughnuts, was founded in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and currently operates 385 stores throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom; and
WHEREAS, Krispy Kreme sells an estimated 7.5 million doughnuts daily and more than 2.5 billion each year, as well as its own signature coffee, a variety of espresso-based drinks, frozen beverages and flavored milks; and
WHEREAS, Krispy Kreme is committed to strong community relationships and proceeds from coffee day sales on August 25, 2004, will benefit D.C. Central Kitchen:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, do hereby proclaim August 24, 2004, as “KRISPY KREME DAY” in Washington, DC, and call upon all the residents of this great city to join me in welcoming this organization as a new addition of businesses to serve our city.”
I’m not sure I want to join him. Obesity has become a critical public health issue in the country, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the District has an obesity prevalence rate of nearly 20 percent. If Mayor Williams wants to make a serious commitment to reducing obesity in Washington, hailing the arrival of fried dough isn’t the way to do it.
Obesity takes a backseat to economics for Williams, though, and he hopes that the doughnut company will employ District residents.
But in this age of low-carb diets, the sugar-covered Krispy Kreme classic has fallen out of favor.
In the past year alone, the company’s earnings have fallen from $13.4 million to $7.3 million, according to CNN.
For its part, the new Krispy Kreme has made an effort to integrate into the community. Krispy Kreme Day will be followed by “Coffee Day” on Aug. 25, when the store will match all coffee purchased with a donation of coffee grounds to D.C. Central Kitchen, one of the largest meal distribution organizations in Washington.
But as much as one day’s worth of coffee grounds will contribute to ending hunger in the District of Columbia, Krispy Kreme probably won’t revolutionize the local economy. Except, perhaps, for plus-size designers.
