Of course, Dunkin' Donuts is the most dominant (prominent?) chain in NYC with 429 locations, according to the last report by the Center for an Urban Future. This includes two locations right near the Second Avenue spot...First Avenue (below) and 14th Street...
All this reminds me of this fellow below who apparently really liked Dunkin' Donuts...taking the time to memorialize it in paint...
My best friend/partner in cat sitting T and I noticed that the Second Avenue Dunkin' Donuts was closed yesterday and panicked. I don't know why I was so upset. I gave up donuts about a year ago. But, anyway, we saw a man with tools attempt to enter the DD, but he couldn't get in because the door was locked. He then stood in front of the door and made a call on his cell. T, who loves DD coffee, was hoping that maybe there was a water leak or some other minor disaster that forced the location to close temporarily rather than permanently. Guess we'll see.
ReplyDeleteHi Cat Sitter. I'm curious why no one bothered to leave a note for customers -- regardless of a temporary or permanent closure...
ReplyDeleteIf this is, in fact, an actual closing (my instincts say it isn't) shouldn't chain stores like this one be subject to removing all their logos and crap at their own expense? More and more chain corporations seem to be using the Wal Mart business model by passing on expenses directly to taxpayers and blighting neighborhoods. They stay in business just long enough to attract customers and then close their main stores only to open up a variety of satellite locations (for less expensive rents). This seems like the case here, too. If this store does close, how long will it sit there (empty) with its signage and so forth still in tact? I came here, in part, to get away from "strip mall living" and guess what I got? I'm going out to buy something from Atomic Passion and then I'm going to follow that with an egg cream and belgian waffle from Ray's and the I think I'll take a trip to Skyline Books. Here's to yet another year of fading away in Manhattan. Love your blog, BTW. Good (but sad) stuff here. What can be done to save NYC?
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I'm a DD coffee junkie. Never ate the donuts, but I sure did love this location because of it's perfect people-watching window. This one was the cleanest, with friendly staff and always made a good cup. The 14th St location is ok, but kind of sad and grungy. The 6th St location is probably the worst, being the most expensive, an uncomfortable space and almost never a good coffee. The Houston location also has a nice window, but only one table with a view and the cops seem to like to hang out in that one (not that there's anything wrong with that). I recommend the one on E Delancey as it's the cheapest, the staff is friendly and they are pretty consistent with their coffee.
ReplyDeleteThere, I've gone and admitted I'll miss this particular chain, but I'm sure it will soon be forgotten.
I liked that DD better when it was a local pizza joint.
ReplyDeleteI do loves me some DD coffee and I used to hit this one up on the way to my pharmacy or an AA meeting. It was centrally located to both, but the other one on 1st will do in a pinch. And yes, this location was the awesome for scoping out cute East Village boys.
ReplyDeleteI once had a conversation with a DD owner uptown who was about to shut down after 8 months of what seemed like brisk business. He told me they have trouble because it is so hard to make it on a breakfast only business and it's hard to pay the rent on sales that last from 7-10am.
ReplyDeleteAnd what does a donut go for there? Less than $1, right? Which is why they expanded their menu to include items like tuna fish on bagel, which looked like plaster of paris paperweight in the ads...Uh, anyway. Well, if this shop is closed for good, this space won't sit empty for long... As Tom said, it is a great spot for people watching...
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like DD's latte, I would much prefer a local coffee shop/cafe... they tend to make better coffee IMO. :)
ReplyDeleteof course a local would be the best, but maybe this is one of the DDs to be converted to a Tim Hortons? Tim has good coffee too...
ReplyDeleteLOL. Plaster of Paris bagel paperweight! Reminds me of that Scorsese film. You know the one? Up all night in 1980s NYC?
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes — After Hours. Was just thinking about rewatching that one...
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to mention the Dunking Dounuts about to open on Union Square East (even if that does not qualify as the east village). I can see here we have the usual railers against chain stores in the hood unless it is the chain store I happen to like.
ReplyDeletephoto of the dude is hysterical! DD is what i was forced to drink in high school in queens. now that i live in the EV i can drink GOOD coffee from local shops...
ReplyDeleteThis location is closed due to extremely high rent and tax. In the future, landlord is planning to split this store, to make more money…. When it comes to money, it is never enough for some people.
ReplyDeleteP.S. This particular store was the best store on the East Village; clean, friendly and cozy…
Thanks, pippy. It is (was) a fairly large DD — compared to the one on First Avenue, anyway.
ReplyDeleteSo, as far as you know, the DD here if officially dead?
Yes. Absolutely
ReplyDeleteYes. Absolutely
ReplyDeleteThe manager (or owner?) told me they closed because of real estate taxes, which I assumed were raised at the start of the year. He still has two stores, one at 31st and 9th Ave., the other at 44th and 9th Ave.
ReplyDelete