Category Archives: Dunkin; Donuts

Original Dunkin’ Donuts (Quincy, MA)

Date Of Visit: July 8, 2023

Location: 543 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA

You can’t throw a rock, or a bagel for that matter, in Massachusetts without hitting a Dunkin Donuts. But, among all of these coffee shops, there’s a special one in Quincy, MA.

Like many successful companies, the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise had humble beginnings.

The origins of what would become Dunkin’ Donuts began during World War II when a shipyard worker decided to provide food options for his co-workers. William Rosenberg, a worker at the Fore River Shipyard based on the Quincy and Weymouth areas, noticed there weren’t many eating options for his coworkers and himself at the time. While this is far from the case now, Quincy did not have a wide variety of dining options.

Initially, William opened the “Industrial Luncheon Services” with a $1,000 loan and another $1,500 start up money. “Industrial Luncheon Services” was a a food truck that sold sandwiches, coffee, doughnuts, and other snacks.

William noticed that at least 50% of the food and drinks he sold were doughnuts and coffee. So, William decided to start a food business that focused on these foods and renamed his business “Open Kettle.”

Eventually, in 1950, William would open a brick and mortar store at its current location, 543 Southern Artery. After noticing many of his customers dunked their doughnuts in their coffee, William changed the name of his shop to “Dunkin’ Donuts.”

While many of the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee shops updated their decor and designs, the Dunkin’ Donuts on Southern Artery went in another direction. In December, 2011, the shop was “retro-renovated” to honor its original look.

From the original outside design to the indoor decor, the shop on Southern Artery transformed to a coffee shop from back in time.

The interior of the Dunkin’ Donuts has a mural of a photo of the original Dunkin Donuts and a display of the various logos the company has used over the years.

While the logos, design, dining options and decor may have changed at many of the coffee shops, one things remain clear; New Englanders still love their Dunkin’ Donuts.

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