Customers camped out for Kansas City’s first Hurts Donut Co. Now it has closed

Springfield cult favorite Hurts Donut Co. entered the Kansas City market with great fanfare in 2018.

In the predawn hours fans were camped out in front of the new Ward Parkway Center store, planning to be the first to win free doughnuts for a year and take part in the opening day celebrations.

But the shop went dark in August and a sign was posted on the front door: “We are temporarily closed for restaffing. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to reopen soon.”

The corporate office did not respond at that time but Ward Parkway Center officials said they also hoped it would soon reopen.

Now the “temporarily closed” sign is gone and some of the furnishings, too.

In a statement, Ward Parkway Center said: “We are disappointed to share that the Hurts Donuts location at Ward Parkway will not reopen.”

It is looking for a tenant for the 3,500-square-foot space at 8809 State Line Road in the center’s Restaurant Pavilion, which also has Charleston’s Restaurant, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, Smitty’s Garage and Torchy’s Tacos.

Hurts operated the Ward Parkway Center store round-the-clock, serving dozens of flavors such as Andes Mint, Bavarian, Cereal Killer, Cosmic Brownie, Cookie Monster (with edible eyes), Cotton Candy, Maple Bacon and Smores.

This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 5:00 AM.