A new Dunkin’ Donuts is opening in Ashland, and you won’t have to take a 15-minute drive across town to get your iced coffee.
Ashland is home to several coffee shops such as Downtown Perk, Whiteriver, Biggby Coffee, Goldberry, Tim Horton, Starbucks, and now two Dunkin’ Donuts.
Next to the old Buffalo Wild Wings building on Claremont Ave, a new Dunkin’ is under construction in hopes of being completed this fall according to Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.
“Folks at Dunkin’ Donuts have breathed new life into an important location next to the university,” Miller said.
With the new location of this building, students will be able to have better access to coffee by taking a short five-minute walk off campus.
Miller noted that the Dunkin’ on 250 is always packed full of cars in the drive-through, which he believes will be the same for the Claremont one.
“People in the city of Ashland love their coffee,” Miller joked.
Earlier this summer the popular coffee shop, Vines Bakery, closed due to the personal circumstances of the owner, Julianna Williams.
Vines was well-liked for its drinks, sweet treats, and employees, but the location of the shop made it easily accessible for students.
Previously located on College Ave, Vines Bakery was in the perfect location for students to stop by on their way to class or a place to sit and study between classes.
Emma Okuma, a senior at AU, has been going to Vines since her freshman year of college.
‘My favorite part about Vines was how small and cozy it was. There wasn’t a spot in there that I didn’t like to sit,” Okuma explained. “The location was so convenient for students because it was on campus and so close to other places for people to study.”
With the closing of the beloved locally owned coffee shop, several students feared there wouldn’t be a coffee shop within walking distance of campus.
“When I found Vines was closing, I was devastated. The small little coffee shop that had been there since my freshman year was closing, and I would need to find a new place to escape the campus noise,” Okuma said.
While it might not be Vines, students are still excited to hear that a new Dunkin’ will be opening within walking distance of campus.
“I was hoping another one would go in the old Vines building, but I was excited when I heard about Dunkin’,” junior Alyssa McLaughlin said.
The new Dunkin’ will have all the basic menu items, such as iced coffee, donuts, bagels, teas, and everything in between. The store will also have a drive-through on the southwest side of the building.
