On March 3, international doughnut and coffee retailer Dunkin’ Donuts opened its third Westport location on the corner of Bridge Square and Riverside Avenue in Saugatuck.
According to Jim Cain, Jr. operating partner of Cain Management, Inc. – an East Norwalk-based family business which currently owns and operates 33 Dunkin’ Donuts locations – the new Saugatuck location serves a full Dunkin’ Donuts menu.
“The store menu [offers] every product that is available at any standard Dunkin’ Donuts, including coffee, donuts, muffins, bagels, egg sandwiches, and flatbreads, as well as cold drinks such as iced tea, coffee and Coolattas,” Cain said.
During the store’s first week of business, it extended special hours from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Since then, the hours have settled into a regular schedule from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cesar Hidalgo, manager of the newly opened Dunkin’ Donuts, said business has been doing very well.
“Customers tell us they are happy we are on this side of town now, and they thank us for moving here,” Hidalgo said.
Students who live in the Saugatuck area echo Hidalgo’s comment, offering enthusiastic support for the new Dunkin’ Donuts.
“I am definitely excited to be able to pick up a nice, warm, bacon, egg and cheese [sandwich] in the morning before school, rather than the gross ones in the cafeteria,” Ryan Greenberg ’13, who lives in the Saugatuck area, said.
“I am also excited about having another decent eating establishment within close proximity, seeing as there are really few currently.”
Gaïane Offredo ’13, another Saugatuck resident, said that the location of the new Dunkin’ Donuts is much more convenient for someone seeking breakfast in that area.
“The Dunkin’ Donuts is located next to restaurants that only serve lunch and dinner, so it’s adding a whole new meal,” Offredo said.
However, businesses in the Saugatuck area – an area of town which is well known for a lack of commercialization – have not been as positively receptive to the arrival of Dunkin’ Donuts.
“I live in the neighborhood, and I’m absolutely horrified,” Yvonne Dougherty, owner of Saugatuck coffee shop Doc’s Cafe, said. “To have a chain in a section of town like this is crazy and inappropriate.”
Despite this, Dougherty added that she does not view Dunkin’ Donuts as competition for Doc’s Cafe.
Offredo furthers Dougherty’s viewpoint, and does not believe that Saugatuck establishments should view Dunkin’ Donuts as a business threat.
“I think having an organization like Dunkin’ Donuts will actually help the area it is in. It is located in Saugatuck Square, where some businesses, such as the Bridge Market, have closed. Hopefully it will bring more customers to that area, which surrounding businesses can actually benefit from,” Offredo said.
Hidalgo said he has not received any complaints about the store’s location at this point.
Regarding student employment, “students at Staples can certainly come to the store and fill out an application,” Cain said.
