Fresh Loaf

Among the 15 companies that U.S. News & World Report projects might not survive 2009: Six Flags, Loehmann’s and — gasp! — Krispy Kreme.

According to the story:

Krispy Kreme. (KKD; about 4,000 employees; stock down 50%). The donuts might be good, but Krispy Kreme overestimated Americans’ appetite – and that’s saying something. This chain overexpanded during the donut heyday of the 1990s – taking on a lot of debt – and now requires high volumes to meet expenses and interest payments. The company has cut costs and closed underperforming stores, but still hasn’t earned an operating profit in three years. And now that consumers are cutting back on everything, such improvements may fail to offset top-line declines, leading Krispy Kreme to seek some kind of relief from lenders over the next year.

Just one question. WTF is “the donut heyday of the 1990s”?

(Photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox)

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Whether it’s with sparklers at a backyard cookout, or choreographed explosions lighting up the night sky, most people enjoy heading outside to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. Here at CL we are no exception, so we went ahead and put together a roundup of where you can calm your fireworks craving this Fri., July 4.

Not one to disappoint, Stone Mountain will celebrate the Fourth with a dual lasershow and fireworks display. Come early to enjoy all the park’s attractions for the day and then find a comfortable spot on the Memorial Lawn to check out the new and improved Lasershow at 9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks from the top and bottom of the mountain. $10 parking fee per vehicle. 770-498-5690. www.stonemountainpark.com.

The annual Fourth of July event at Centennial Olympic Park is becoming a tradition for its family-friendly and fun activities. From noon to 5 p.m. bring the kids to enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, performances, stilt walkers, inflatables and more. Beginning at 5 p.m., local band Stokeswood will put the evening in high gear, with a performance from 911 Band following. The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra headlines the musical event at 8 p.m. and will feature solo performances by actor Ric Reitz, vocalist Wendy Bennett and string trio True Dixon. The AirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular will wrap up the event with an amazing show framed by the downtown skyline and synchronized to a selection of patriotic music. Can’t make it to the show? 11 Alive (WXIA-TV) will broadcast the show live, and the music will be broadcast on radio station Star 94 (WSLC-FM). 404-223-4090. www.centennialpark.com. (more…)

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