Montrose Dunkin Donuts: Now Open

BY STACI WILSON

The Montrose area has a new coffee shop.

Dunkin Donuts opened its doors to the public on Tuesday, April 12.

And owners Jerry Fives, Heather Bower and Eric May hope their Montrose store hope their store becomes a part of the community.

“We looked at this area for awhile,” Fives said, “but there wasn’t the opportunity to bring Dunkin Donuts here until now.”

The franchise owners worked with the Andre’s who own the Grow Avenue property where the restaurant is located.

“Those who work in Montrose have been wanting a Dunkin for years and it’s finally happened,” said Andrew Granick. He stopped by the restaurant on opening day. “Although not a coffee drinker, it will be nice to have a spot to get coffee and donuts for early morning meetings and events.”

In bringing the store – famous for its coffee and baked goods – to the area, Fives said a lot of thought and effort went into the building’s design elements.

“We wanted a facility that looked like it belonged in the community, rather than being a commercial building,” Fives said.

The restaurant is Dunkin Donuts most recent prototype, he said. But the owners also incorporated some higher end elements into the restaurant. There is warm lighting over the booths and table areas, a fireplace, and some old photographs of the Montrose area on the walls.

“It looks more like a town store,” Fives said. “And we want to become a fixture in the community.”

The owners picture the restaurant becoming the “destination, local coffee shop” where people go to meet over coffee and baked goods. Fives said he would eventually like the Montrose store to be thought of as a “landmark.”

Based upon their past experiences, they look to be involved with schools, local emergency services, and for community support.

Fives, Bower and May are not new to the franchise. Between the three of them, they own 16 stores. Fives has 25 years in the business and Bower and May have 10 in northeastern Pennsylvania.

They also own some of the stores close to Montrose, including the ones in Tunkhannock and Wyalusing. They are also expecting to have a Dunkin Donuts under construction at the Gibson exit off Interstate 81 later this year.

“We enjoy small communities,” the owners agreed.

Fives said the basis of their business if “quality, service and cleanliness.” Their organization has been recognized in the past by Dunkin Donuts as one of the top operators in the system. “We hope to continue that reputation.”

The owners realize anticipation for the Montrose opening has been high, and are readying for high demand in the opening days but ask customers to have patience as the employees work through the nuances of a new restaurant and new crew.

The store opens daily at 5 a.m.