Atlas Obscura - Latest • Jan. 28, 2026, 3:15 p.m.

While visiting Old Salem, Winston Salem's historic district, founded by Moravian settlers in 1766, not only can you tour period homes with period decorations, walk brick sidewalks, and explore Salem College, you can also find a commemorative plaque that marks the spot of the original Krispy Kreme doughnut shop! The doughnut shop was founded in 1937 by Vernon Rudolph who bought the famous secret doughnut recipe from a French pastry chef.

Rudolph rented an old warehouse on the corner on S. Main Street and what is now W.

Academy Street and started baking his delicious confections over 80 years ago! The smell coming from the warehouse attracted locals, so Rudolph cut a hole in the wall to let folks see the original glazed doughnuts being made!

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