Winchell's Donut House, the doughnut shop in the heart of downtown Longmont at Fifth Avenue and Main Street, remained vacant all year.
Winchell's has been closed for three years, stopping service in December of 2021 after a vehicle hit the back of the building. The crash cost $500,000 in damage.
Winchell's owner Joe Barmada said there were complications with the electrical work being done to the building in August. Barmada still gave a tentative opening date of late October or early November, which did not happen this year.
Winchell's has been saddled with delays since its closure three years ago. In July of 2022, Barmada said he hoped to open the doughnut shop in August or September of that year. At the beginning of 2024, Barmada cited financial issues and a lack of contract workers as reasons for even more delays.
Winchell's joins fellow Longmont restaurant The Garden Gate Cafe, 1135 Francis St., in keeping its doors shuttered to the public. A fire closed The Garden Gate in December of 2023.
The Garden Gate suffered smoke damage from the fire, according to manager Stacy Lee. The cafe has a Niwot location, which staff members have encouraged patrons of The Garden Gate to visit as the Longmont cafe tries to rebuild.
In August, Lee said the Longmont location hoped to open in September or October. The cafe was still closed as of December.
Longmont residents have also been curious about the new Ziggi's location at Airport Road and Clover Basin Drive. The new coffee shop, which will have both indoor seating and a drive-thru, is planning to open in the spring of 2025.
Ziggi's, which started in Longmont, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.
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