Robin’s ‘Express’ opens its doors

This week marked a very important date for Robin’s Donuts as its new store opened for business here yesterday morning.
The new location–at 786 King’s Highway–is roughly 1,500 square feet in size and features seating for 30. And unlike the downtown store, it is strictly non-smoking.
The idea of building in the west end has been a year in the making, with construction taking about three months.
“We expect to do quite well out there,” remarked Guy Donaldson, who is the co-owner of the local Robin’s Donuts franchise along with his wife, Kelly Spicer.
Spicer is the daughter of Carrol Battigelli and the late George Spicer who, in 1975, co-founded Robin’s Donuts with now president Harvey Caldwell.
Made up of more than 245 stores from Sydney, N.S. to Vancouver Island, including some 35 in Northwestern Ontario, Robin’s Donuts is the largest Canadian-owned coffee and donut franchise.
Eight-10 workers will staff the new restaurant alongside Nancy Tucker, who already is an experienced worker from the Scott Street location.
“It’s interesting because it’s different. I get the opportunity to start to work at a brand new store,” Tucker enthused.
The King’s Highway location, touted as the most up-to-date store in the chain, also features a drive-thru for those on the go.
Aside from the non-smoking clientele, the new location also is geared towards tourists and customers who live in the west end of town. And it will benefit from its proximity to the new Fort Frances High School.
“We’re excited to be expanding, and I am extremely happy with the staff and all of the hard work they have done,” Donaldson said.
“It’s just great to be part of the local and west end business community,” he added.