Dunkin' Donuts, the national coffee and donut franchise, soon will arrive in Hanover. The franchise will be opening a kiosk in the corner between the deli and check-out counter of Food Stop.
No completion date for the project has yet been released. But, given the project's limited scope, it will be completed in March or April of this year, predicted Jonathan Edwards, Hanover planning and zoning director.
Edwards also addressed residents' preference for unhealthy foods: "The Co-op and Stinsons both stock snack foods, and they sell well."
The kiosk will not actually make and fry its own donuts but will instead have them delivered on a daily basis.
The arrival of Dunkin' Donuts has the potential to hurt local businesses frequented by Dartmouth students such as the Dirt Cowboy and Lou's. But, the Dirt Cowboy has an advantage in being closer to campus. Dartmouth students also affirmed their loyalty to local vendors.
"I would keep going to the Dirt Cowboy even when Dunkin' Donuts opened up. I like the social atmosphere here." Nadia Khamis '07 said.
The Hanover planning and zoning boards have traditionally attempted to restrict the proliferation of franchise businesses within Hanover. But, Dunkin' Donuts was able to bypass the committees because the project's construction will involve neither an addition to Food Stop nor a rezoning of the building.
The owner of Food Stop, Brian Malloy, is subleasing a 310 square-foot section to Dunkin' Donuts. Malloy leases the building from Polaris LLC.
The construction will involve renovations to the side of Food Stop including the removal of the side door which leads into the corner where the kiosk will be located.
