They’re trying to land the doughnuts.

At least three Lewiston-Auburn officials reached out to Krispy Kreme on Tuesday after news that franchisee Cort Mendez is planning three shops in Maine.

Mendez was in the state Tuesday scouting locations, according to the Bangor Daily News. He told the paper that Bangor and Portland or South Portland are strong contenders.

But where to put that third?

Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, who jokingly described himself as a “doughnut connoisseur,” has an idea. Ditto for Auburn Economic and Community Development Director Michael Chammings and Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council Executive Director John Holden.

“We thought it was pretty important to be a little more aggressive and let folks know our region is open for business,” LaBonte said. “We think we can go toe to toe with those other regions in terms of potential success. As soon as a door opens, we want to quickly jump through it.”

Too often with site locators and franchise owners, he said, Lewiston-Auburn gets blended in with Augusta, Topsham or South Portland. They figure people here will just drive there, that it’s close enough.

“For a metropolitan area of 100,000 people, Lewiston-Auburn is a stand-alone market,” LaBonte said. “It’s really on us as local leaders to make sure investors know about it.”

Holden suspected Mendez, who recently sold 10 Five Guys franchises in New Hampshire, would hear from cities and towns across Maine. 

“Most of these operators, a lot of it is data-driven: We have additional data that shows Lewiston-Auburn has significant potential for more retail trade in different sectors,” Holden said. “He’s a successful developer and franchiser. It’s much better to get the long-term solution, so that was my other pitch to him: ‘Let’s talk about what you want to do in the future.'”

The doughnut-maker could be in potentially good company.

Even while he was reaching out to Krispy Kreme, Holden met Tuesday with another company considering a move to the area, a small “high-value manufacturer.”

“We’re one of at least two communities he’s disclosed he’s looking at opening a small shop, maybe five people, but it’s what we do, whether it’s five people or Wal-Mart Distribution,” Holden said.

Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council is working with 15 companies considering the area, he said. “In the last few weeks it’s been an interesting flurry of activity.”

He was hoping Krispy Kreme would give L-A a long look, but admitted to being a little torn.

“There’s a lot of good doughnuts in this community,” Holden said.

Feedback was similarly mixed online.

“Lewiston/Auburn area, please and thank you!” wrote Karen Ritchie of Lewiston on Facebook.

Wrote Heidi Lachapelle of Auburn: “Who needs them when we have Grant’s and the Italian Bakery? #supportsmallbusiness.” 

kskelton@sunjournal.com