By the time Donerd’s Donuts was ready for its grand opening the morning of Aug. 3, a crowd had already gathered outside. Inside the colorful shop, employees were ready to serve specialty doughnuts, macaroons and hot and cold brewed coffees.

At 9 a.m., the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the shop and Bethlehem City Mayor J. William Reynolds was there to speak.

By the time the ribbon was cut, the line to enter the store at 3 E. Fourth St. wrapped around and down New Street. Clutch, Lehigh University’s Mountain Hawk mascot, was on hand to greet the crowd.

Owners Andrew Underwood and Anabel Figueroa said they appreciated the mayor’s words before the ribbon cutting.

“It really means a lot to have so much support from this great city,” Underwood said. “That along with all of the smiling faces of everyone who visited us today.”

The opening took place the day before the opening ceremony for Musikfest. Underwood and Figueroa said they did not plan it that way; it was more a happy coincidence.

“Opening the day before Musikfest was unintentional,” Figueroa. “It just so happened that it was the first day we felt ready to open, but as huge fans of Musikfest, we see it as something unique and a sign of good luck. We are thinking that we could definitely see a boost in sales as a result.”

All employees at the store are from the Bethlehem area, but Underwood and Figueroa did bring Cheryl, their pastry chef from their Jim Thorpe shop, down to help train the new staff and to help at the grand opening.

Underwood and Figueroa agreed that their first day was “amazing.”

“The support we received from our new Bethlehem community was more than we could have ever asked for,” Underwood said.

The store is easily accessible from the New Street Garage. A Lanta stop for several buses, including the 103 and 105, is in front of the store.

Donerd’s offers a senior discount and a local discount of 20 percent on Mondays to residents of the Lehigh Valley. Proof of address is required to receive the discount.

For more information, including store hours, visitdonerdsdonuts.com.