Krispy Kreme fans spend night outside to be first inside new Edmonton shop

Edmontonians line up for first Krispy Kreme Edmontonians lined up early the morning of Dec. 10, 2024, for the first donuts from the city's first Krispy Kreme.

A Calgary man was the first in line at Krispy Kreme's opening in Edmonton on Tuesday.

Krispy Kreme "big fan" Matt McKay says he arrived in Alberta's capital city at about 3 p.m. the previous day.

When asked why he wanted to camp outside as it snowed overnight just to be among the first inside the new doughnut shop, he acknowledged, "It's a good question."

McKay told CTV News Edmonton, "I had some work to do here anyways, so I don't have a lot going on in the evenings, and I love Krispy Kreme, so I figured why not camp out?"

This mentality was echoed by others in the queue.

"Never been to an official opening for any type of store before and I've only had Krispy Kreme once, twice – maybe three times at the most – throughout my years, so why not?" said Adam Humphreys, who commutes from Millet 55 kilometres south of Edmonton to work in the city.

"I want to see the hype, you know?" added Samuel Mulinda.

"They say it's better than Timmy's. We'll see."

The first 12 people in the line when the doors opened at 7 a.m. were promised one dozen free original glazed donuts every month for a year.

When Humphreys arrived at 5:30 a.m. to see several people ahead of him, his first thought was, "Thank God I'm not the only crazy one."

Second in line was nine-year-old Romeo Salerno, who entered the line at 5:30 p.m. Monday with his dad and was very excited for free doughnuts, despite never having had a Krispy Kreme before.

"I just wanted to try it and it's from America," he explained.

Even though a small tent shelter was set up with a heater for those waiting, Salerno, like others, came prepared for a cold wait.

"I've mostly just been sitting here, hanging out with the people, reading my book, took a little nap," McKay said, snuggled up in a sleeping bag and camping chair.

As the first person in line, he also received the honour of turning on the shop's hot light.

Everyone who visits the location at 4614 Gateway Blvd. NW on Tuesday will receive one free original glazed doughnut, the company said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton's Evan Klippenstein