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Nevermind the Nor’easter, the Coolatta is Coming!
By The Changeling | April 16, 2007
Just in time to satiate the caffeine and sugar cravings of the ever-growing Bedford-Nostrand platform crowd, a Dunkin’ Donuts is about to open above the Nostrand Avenue entrance of the G train station.
About a week ago, I was walking along Nostrand on my way to Home Depot and I remember seeing a sign indicating its arrival. It didn’t really register because it was just another sign for just another ubiquitous business, but a few days ago I received an email from the famous eletricgreek asking me if I knew that Dunkin’ Donuts was coming to this section of the nabe. Electricgreek’s email was a shot in the arm–I immediately realized the significance of their opening on that corner. Although electricgreek’s sources say that the opening is still a couple of weeks away, this marks yet another improvement to this stretch of Nostrand. Â
I braved a mighty wind on Sunday to find evidence of things to come. A banner flying high just above the station confirmed the pending arrival.  It looks like it is going to be one of those mutant Dunkin’ Donuts that has a Baskin Robbins “growth” coming out of it. I guess that’s great for people who like to wash their ice cream down with a cup of boiling hot coffee. I know it’s going to be a very busy place come opening day.
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Get ready to imbibe the wondrous brew known as “the Coolatta”.
April 16th, 2007 at 10:58 am
There’s already a Dunkin Donuts in Bed-Stuy, on Fulton St. past the Nostrand Ave. stop on the A/C line. And there’s a Baskin Robbins in Restoration Plaza, on the way to Foodtown.
April 16th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
You’re right, and there is also one on Myrtle at Broadway near the JMZ station, but both of those locations would be way out of the way for people living at Nostrand/Lafayette. Although this isn’t the first Dunkin’ Donuts in the neighborhood, it is a new development in this section of the nabe.
April 16th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Just what the neighborhood needs. Another place to buy unhealthy food.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
But now we’re getting variety so we don’t have to buy all of our unhealthy food from the same place!
April 16th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
With all the new activity in that part of bed stuy dunkin will do very well . Fist came Home Depot , then dunkin . You know what’s next? I DO !
April 16th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
hey i’m pretty stoked- I don’t know if you people have been to this block, but I live on bedford and lafayette (right on the other end of the block!) and you cant buy a bagel without hiking up to Choice Market in Clinton Hill or getting some half-stale thing at the Bravo around the corner. Corporate or not, I’m excited to have a place to buy bagels and coffee this summer.
April 17th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
i agree-i’d much rather have a non-chain coffee shop opening, but it’s still a good start. this is how things get moving. people will indeed go here, because the coffee is decent and so are the bagel/donuts, etc. a choice market type of spot will not be far behind, i believe.
April 17th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I agree. I’m also optimistic that this is a sign of many good things to come in this area.
April 18th, 2007 at 10:10 am
i know this is off topic, but it does have to do with services… i am trying to set up new high speed internet/tv/phone service. we had time warner cable in fort greene-what do people in this area do since time warner doesn’t serve these blocks? i want to avoid verizon at all costs!
April 18th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I have Optimum Cable. The formal name is iO Digital Cable. I don’t like them because 1) they don’t offer TV5(a French channel) like Time Warner did and 2) I have to wear my glasses to read the font used for the on-screen displays. The font is narrow and reminds me of the Dark Ages when dot matrix printers inhabited the earth. If you’re not interested in French and have 20/10 vision, then you’ll be fine. Optimum Cable offers high speed internet and I think phone service, but I don’t have either of these. The phone number for Optimum Cable is 718.617.3500 and the website is here. You can check the availability for your building.
May 21st, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I have to say..its quite disappointing that anyone is getting remotely excited about a dunkin donuts opening up in the neighborhood…I’d prefer there be a decent organic grocery story or something healthy. What will Dunkin bring that this country already doesn’t need…Bad eating habits, obesity and more junk food to fill our bellies with….its really disgusting and I’m sorry that there aren’t more businesses opening up that actually encourage people to lead healthy lifestyles…Yes, I know the coffee is perhaps a plus, but donuts and ice cream?…hmmm, i don’t know……?????
look around…do we really need another dunkin donuts to fatten up our already overweight society and country…..its part of the problem not the solution..I’m afraid…sorry to be such a downer…but I really enjoy your blog..and I was surprised when you made a mention of this!!..Disappointing, to say the least
Sincerely,
Rizzo
p.s….Keep up the good work….your enthusiasm and awareness for the developing neighborhood is impressive and truly a wonderment of enjoyment for myself and I’m sure other denizens of Bed-Stuy!..Well Done!
May 22nd, 2007 at 5:57 am
I understand where you are coming from, and I shouldn’t be happy about a Dunkin’ Donuts opening up in the neighborhood. It won’t provide any healthy food options and I’m positive that the litter around this area will increase thanks to Dunkin’. On the other hand, this will become a well-lit corner/subway entrance and the Dunkin’ will have a clean storefront, so I consider that a positive. Maybe I’m just happy for what it’s not–another bodega.
I do wish for an organic grocery store, but we don’t even have a decent “regular” grocery store yet, unless you count the one C-Town on Dekalb near Classon. We don’t have a pharmacy or a wine shop either. Believe me, when we finally get these services I’ll be more enthusiastic than I ever was for this Dunkin’ Donuts!
Thanks for your feedback and support.