AUBURN — Halloween treats may be extra hot and gooey this year for area doughnut lovers.

Following construction and permitting delays, the new targeted opening date for Krispy Kreme on Center Street is Oct. 31.

Developer Cort Mendez of NH Glazed LLC said bids are going out and he expects to have contracts signed in the next couple of weeks.

“It’s just a vanilla box at this point,” Mendez said. “We now have all of the interior walls, bathrooms, countertops, glass, flooring, that whole process to do.”

The build-out process takes approximately 10 weeks, Mendez said.

Mendez had originally hoped the shop would open in May, but construction delays and final design work slowed the project. Mendez said Auburn was not to blame for the delay.

While Krispy Kreme will not turn on its iconic “Hot Now” light until fall, two other businesses have opened in the same retail plaza at 410 Center St.

Firehouse Subs held its grand opening Tuesday. The Auburn store is the franchise’s fourth location in Maine, joining shops in Topsham, Biddeford and Waterville.

Started by two brothers, both firefighters, in 1994, Firehouse Subs has grown to nearly 1,100 restaurant in 44 states.

The third store, Cricket Wireless, has been open for approximately a month, according to a store employee.

The Center Street plaza still has space for one more tenant, which Mendez hopes to fill soon.

“Perhaps a hair-cutting business would be the best fit with the square footage available,” Mendez said.

Auburn will unlikely have bragging rights for the first Krispy Kreme in Maine. That honor appears headed to Saco, which is looking at a September opening.

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