Dunkin’ Donuts is planning a May 20 grand opening in its new space at South Avenue and Elm Street, officials say.
The new Dunkin’ Donuts space on Feb. 8, 2023. Credit: Michael Dinan
The chain coffee shop plans to put a pop-up tent in a no-parking area outside the store, with “wind wavers” and a balloon arch on the sidewalk on that Saturday morning, handing out samples and swag to passersby, according to Laura Budd, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
“They’ve got a whole promotion planned for the event,” Budd told members of the Police Commission meeting, held April 19 at police headquarters and via videoconference. “And because that tent can’t go on the sidewalk, they want to put it up flush against the curb. Customers would access whatever’s happening in the tent from the sidewalk side.”
Budd referred to a photo submitted to the Commission on behalf of Dunkin’ showing where the promotional materials would be located.
“They didn’t need the whole ‘Pop-Up Park’ space but they did want to make a splash of it,” Budd said, referring to the first block of South Avenue, between Elm Street and Morse Court, which is sometimes blocked off to motor vehicle traffic for special events.
The three-person Commission, which oversees on-street parking and traffic matters on behalf of the town, among other responsibilities, voted 3-0 to allow Dunkin’ to run its event. The company will need about 3.5 to four hours on the morning of May 20 to set up and break down the promotional materials, starting at about 8:45 a.m., Budd said.
Those voting included Commission Chair Jim McLaughlin, Secretary Shekaiba Bennett and member Paul Foley.
It’s unclear just when Dunkin’ will move to the new space from its longtime location further up Elm Street. The Planning & Zoning Commission last summer approved the move to 44 Elm St., formerly occupied by The CBD Store. The new location will double the coffee shop’s space in a newly designed interior with windows overlooking both South and Elm, company representatives have said.
Bennett asked where customers are expected to park.
The new Dunkin’ space at South and Elm, on April 23, 2023. Credit: Michael Dinan
Police Chief John DiFederico said that once a new “bumpout” has been created at the southeast corner of South and Elm—prep work appears to be underway (see photo at left)—where Dunkin’ is located, then short-term parking will be installed along Elm by the store.
“It won’t necessarily be designated solely to Dunkin Donuts, but it will allow people to park,” he said.
DiFederico added, “That was kind of the concept behind those bumpouts at South and Elm, is it’s going to allow us to accommodate short-term parking.”
Public Works Director Tiger Mann said the town plans to install two 15-minute spaces there.
Budd said that the May 20 grand opening coordinates well with a food-related event to be held on the same day, of which the Chamber is a sponsor. Budd said that she plans to ask Public Works to install protective barriers or portable white picket fencing to enclose the promotional tent in the no-parking area outside the new Dunkin’.