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03/22/2022 01:36 PM

New Dunkin Coming to Route One


The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) has unanimously approved a proposal for a new Dunkin (formerly Dunkin Donuts) for a site at 1486 Boston Post Road. The site will include a drive-through and is situated on the south side of Route 1, between Bishop’s Orchards and the Exit 57 interchange area.

The plans also call for another building at the site as well, according to submissions from the developer that were submitted to the PZC. The second structure on the site “has a 1,600-square-foot retail space with a second-story dwelling unit of 1,000 square feet. Both the retail space and dwelling unit are permitted uses in the PV-2 Zoning District,” according to the site proposal plans.

The owner and developer, Francesco D’Andrea, who owns three other Dunkin locations in Guilford, said that he will be closing one of his current locations, and keeping his other two sites open for now. D’Andrea also owns a number of other Dunkins in the shoreline area, including Clinton, Killingworth, and West Haven.

“What we plan on doing is relocating the one at 1200 Boston Post Road, so that one in the plaza will close,” said D’Andrea. “That will definitely close but we are not sure about the gas station site at the Xtra Mart Shell station near Exit 57, we will just have to wait and see if the gas station volume shifts or not. So we’ll wait and see on that.”

According to D’Andrea, the other building on the site will probably be filled by him personally, but he has not made any firm plans.

“The original proposal that was approved by the town maybe 10 years ago, was approved for two larger buildings on it as well. That’s how we got the idea and we thought we’d maximize a bit and put another small retail structure,” D’Andrea said.

D’Andrea said he is looking forward to the opportunity and to further develop his relationship with Guilford patrons.

“We’re definitely excited. We’re local people. I was born in born and raised in Guilford. The community supports us and we support the community, so it’s another avenue to serve our guests,” said D’Andrea. “We’re really excited to get this project going, that’s for sure.”