Kane’s Donuts making changes to add parking, more offerings

SAUGUS – Kane’s Doughnuts held its own when upstart Krispy Kreme moved to town. When Dunkin’ Donuts opened just down the street, it cause nary a ripple in Kane’s business. But now the shop faces something it hasn’t had to deal with in more than 50 years – change.Paul Delios, who runs the iconic doughnut shop along with his four siblings, said a planned expansion is simply a way of bringing the store into the 21st century.The plan, thus far, is to expand backwards, raising the back parking lot to street level, adding handicap-accessible bathrooms, widening the display case and quite possibly reconfiguring the counter area.Most notably, Delios said he plans to move the entrance off Lincoln Avenue, add a vestibule and do away with the need for stairs at the entrance.”We want to raise the ground and fill in between the lot and the blue house next door and, since we own the blue house, that shouldn’t be problem,” he said. “It will give us about 12 parking spaces and we will have additional room in the kitchen.”What will not change is the product or the sign. Kane’s landmark neon sign is an historic marker, which Delios said the family would never give up. Just as famous are the oversized coffee rolls, handmade Bismarcks and doughnuts made from scratch.Delios said while the soda fountain chairs might be history, the counter and stools will remain albeit possibly in a different location. The plan, he noted, is in flux.This is not Delios’ first dance when it comes to rehabbing a restaurant. The former Boston chef oversaw a $3 million restaurant project in Charlestown.”This won’t be anything like that,” he added quickly.It will allow Delios to get back to his creative roots, however. The new store front will include an area where workers can put together breakfast sandwiches that Delios plans to create with a “Kane’s twist.”He said he also plans to roll out a few other new items just to see what will fly and what won’t.Down the road, Delios said the family is looking at a second expansion that would include actually moving down the road and opening a second and maybe someday third store.Delios joked that between his siblings, nieces and nephews that are now working in the family store, there would certainly be enough family to cover franchises.”We’ve looked in Lynn and Peabody, Salem to see if there was anything out there but we’ve never found anything suitable at the time,” he said. “Our main priority now though is here.”When asked if he thought his longtime patrons would resist the planned changes Delios said he believes it will all be OK.”I think a lot of people, even myself, get a little apprehensive about change but I know it needs to happen,” he said. “I’m nervous myself – I truly, truly am – but I know we have to move forward.”