Long Lines, Big Appetites and a Sweet(s) Story Mark Krispy Kreme's Homewood Debut

HOMEWOOD, IL — Nearly 200 waited out an overnight line to sink their teeth into the gooey sweetness of a Krispy Kreme doughnut Tuesday.

The chain returned to the south suburbs in its first location since the last closed in 2012, with the opening of its Homewood location at 17815 S. Halsted St.

For those devoted fans with a sweet tooth, it was a sweet deal: the first dozen in line get a dozen glazed doughnuts a week for a year, free. The next 13 to 100 will get a free dozen a month.

But there was something even sweeter inside the 3,300-square-foot store.

"There was a young man standing three places behind me who was so excited to be at the Krispy Kreme grand opening," wrote Michelle Ballard on social media. "He kept sharing about how happy he was to be here. He went on to say that he came here 'all the way' from Highland, Indiana."

It appeared no one was as excited as Matthew Graegin, the boy in line behind her. Ballard thought to herself that while she could appreciate the boy's determination, Highland wasn't that far.

"Then I found out that he took public transportation to get here!"

Ballard was impressed, and "felt compelled to treat him to a dozen Krispy Kremes.

"When I told this enthusiastic young man that I was going to treat him, he had the biggest smile on his face..." Ballard wrote.

"Wow, this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me," said Graegin. "My name is Matthew and I am sorry for being so excited but I have autism."

Ballard took his openness in stride, responding, "It's okay Matthew, I think you're great!"

The pure moment was as delightful to those on social media as those doughnuts rolling out of the oven.

"His innocent excitement is infectious," wrote one person who read the story. "These are the moments that make me happy."

One of Graegin's friends took a moment to thank Ballard.

"That was extremely generous of you buying him a dozen doughnuts," wrote Eric Maltbia. "I was with him for most of the day and he really enjoyed them."

Ballard's post received 8,300 "likes," more than 1,700 shares, and 400 comments. She batted away the praise, saying she simply wanted to do something nice for someone.

"What initially caught my attention by this young man was his overwhelming excitement and joy of being a part of this grand opening," Ballard wrote. "To what most would consider way over the top, I considered someone who could take joy in the little things in life. I, too can admittedly be over the top in my energy and enthusiasm so here I was thinking here is someone like myself who can take the time to appreciate the little things.

"Not knowing that he had autism before treating him to a dozen donuts, I simply wanted to buy a guy who was clearly 'over the moon' happy about Krispy Kremes some donuts. Little did I know how impactful this would be."

Krispy Kreme's Homewood location will be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a 24-hour drive-thru. For more info, find them on Facebook.