After years of discussion and debate by the community and city leaders, The Memorial Boulevard School Committee in a stunning decision is recommending to city officials that the former school and iconic building be converted into a Dunkin Donuts.
The building, which is 90,000 square feet, is currently vacant, but the proposed Super-Duper Dunkin Donuts, as it will be known, will take up the entire building and include a store gift shop, museum and the world’s largest drive thru, which will be the running track that goes around the property. It is expected to attract coffee drinkers to the Mum City on a daily basis in record amounts.
The donut company and coffeehouse has proven to be very popular in Bristol and Forestville with a least 10 establishments and more to come.
However, despite Dunkin Donuts local popularity, several City Council members expressed their concerns. “A Dunkin Donuts Gift Shop and Museum but no Dunkin Donuts Paint Bar, Yoga Studio or high-end senior housing?” asked council member Anthony D’Amato. “That’s ridiculous.”
Councilor Calvin Brown had issues as well, “Is this so called Super-Duper Dunkin Donuts going to expand the menu and offer Chicken Marsala, Bolognese sauce or Anguilles à la crème at affordable prices? Or are we stuck with donuts, mocha latté’s and sandwiches? I’ve got a lot of constituents to answer to.”
The Finance Department echoed Mr. Brown’s concerns regarding the menu selection and the pricing, and as a result issued the following statement. “It is this department’s belief that before anything is done Dunkin Donuts must publish their menu so it can be put out to referendum allowing the voters to decide what they want to eat and at what prices.”
No time table was established for converting the public building into a coffee and donut mecca.
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