Stowe turns down Dunkin’ Donuts
| Dunkin’ Donuts proposal dropped | ||
| 10/30/08 By Jesse Roman Email this story to a friend There’s a hole in the Stowe Center Complex, but it won’t be filled by Dunkin’ Donuts.The New Hampshire investors who applied to open the restaurant at 1056 Mountain Road withdrew their application this week. They did not return phone calls seeking comment.In an e-mail to the town zoning office, Tina Barten, a clerical assistant for the investment group, did not go in to detail about the decision to pull the plug on the Dunkin’ Donuts project. “We would like to formally withdraw our application for Dunkin’ Donuts that was submitted to the development review board,” Barten wrote. “We are putting things on hold right now while we explore all available options. If in the future we decide to move forward, we know we will have to start the process over again.” A controversy started brewing after news broke that the doughnut chain might open a store in Stowe. Letters poured in to the zoning office, saying the well-known national chain runs counter to Stowe’s hyper-local identity and would lead to more franchises. Other letter writers complained the food at Dunkin’ Donuts is unhealthy and littering problems could occur. Writers on the Stowe Reporter’s message board had more mixed reactions. Some opposed the project; others favored it. “This type of establishment has no business being here,” wrote one. “If tourists want doughnuts, let them walk to another city to get one. Maybe that will keep them healthy!” “While I am not a resident of Stowe, we are frequent visitors and am very surprised at the uproar over a possible Dunkin’ Donuts coming to town,” wrote another. “I live in Connecticut and we have a significant number of small towns/villages that want to keep their ‘homey’ atmosphere, but have found that Dunkin’ is a good neighbor; they give a lot to the community in return for becoming a part of it. “…When placed in a ‘strip mall,’ other occupants have found that their business is increased also. They also bring in needed tax dollars to a community. So before saying ‘no’ to them, think of what they could bring to the village of Stowe.” Another entry said: “I’d be much more concerned with giving companies like AIG my money every time I buy a lift ticket than buying a coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts every once in a while.” “If you have not noticed, Stowe is DYING,” wrote another poster. “Business after business closes and no one seems to notice. Pretty soon the only thing that will be open here will be real estate shops and the post office. Any new business should be evaluated on its merits and value to the town and welcomed with open arms. Open your eyes — this town is sinking.” The Dunkin’ Donuts would have been installed in the former Decisions, Decisions store, a 1,650-square-foot retail space adjacent to Apple Tree Learning Center, Chez Claudine’s and the former Stowe Gym. Pomerleau Real Estate manages the property; until the Reporter called, it was not aware that the investors had pulled the restaurant’s permit application. “They weren’t returning phone calls so I was worried something like this might happen,” said Yves Bradley, a broker with the company. |
||