STOW — After two years without a Dunkin’ location, the town of Stow will symbolically rename itself “Dunkin’” for one day to mark the grand opening of a new store on Great Road (and perhaps get a sponsorship or kick-back?)
At its July 8 meeting, the Stow Select Board voted unanimously to adopt the name change for July 24 in honor of the popular coffee chain’s return to town. The celebration will coincide with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Dunkin’ location at 108 Great Road, the former site of the Beef ‘N Ale restaurant.
The move is part of a larger community celebration organized by Dunkin’ franchisees Mark and Megan Pesce, who purchased the site last August. The Pesces operate multiple locations throughout Greater Boston and told board members they were eager to bring the brand back to Stow after its last two locations closed within a month of each other in 2022.
“As soon as we heard the two stores in Stow had closed, we wanted to fix that,” Megan Pesce said told board members. “We’re excited to be able to keep the feel, and the porch, that was the Beef ‘N Ale for so many years.”
The closures in 2022 earned the town the nickname “Dunkin’ Desert” after WBZ NewsRadio reporter Matt Shearer posted a viral TikTok poking fun at the town’s lack of a Dunkin’. The video gained national attention and was viewed nearly 100 million times.
The grand opening festivities will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 24, with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Dunkin’s mascot, Cuppy, will be in attendance along with local officials. The first 100 Dunkin’ Rewards members in line will receive 100 days of free coffee.
The celebration will also include the unveiling of a Dunkin’ Desert gallery wall and a $5,000 check presentation from the Pesces to the Stow Food Pantry, in partnership with the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.
Reflecting on the town’s Dunkin’-free years, Select Board Member Dan Peterson joked, “When the story did come out, I had friends from the Massachusetts area who moved to California, and from all the way there they let us know they were praying for us. I guess our prayers have been answered.”
