Honeoye Falls Mayor Rick Milne (center) was among those who helped cut the ribbon for Dunkin Donuts grand opening December 23. Photo by Donna MacKenzie
The grand opening of Dunkin Donuts in the village of Honeoye Falls even drew Santa Claus, although it was just a day before his big trip around the world.
After years of controversy, court battles and delays, the shop held its grand opening on December 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Honeoye Falls Mayor Rick Milne and Dunkin Donuts District Manager Mark Salamone, along with employees and numerous patrons. Dunkin Donuts actually opened on December 20.
“Since we opened, we have been very busy,” said shift manager Nick Watson, who is also a volunteer firefighter with Honeoye Falls Fire Department. “We have gotten compliments from people in the community and they have been very welcoming.”
Added Salamone, “We have exceeded expectations for our first three days by about 50 percent.”
The Honeoye Falls’ location, on West Main Street between Josh Landscape and Miller Lanes, will employ between 25-30 people.
“This opening is a good thing,” Milne said. “We would like to fill the storefronts downtown and bring in other businesses. We are hoping that this will help by encouraging others looking at the village as a possible place to open a business to actually do so.”
Dunkin Donuts has a variety of bagels, donuts, donut holes, muffins, cookies, sandwiches and wraps for patrons to choose from and a number of coffee drinks and frozen drinks to wash them down with. While the bagels, donuts and muffins come into the shop as frozen dough to be baked and finished off (filled, frosted or glazed) in the store by the local employees, the sandwiches and wraps are made from scratch onsite. The store will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
Salamone said that Dunkin Donuts intends to not just be a business, but also be a part of the community.
“We have been involved with the Pirate Toy Fund and made a $5,000 grant to the Toy Fund,” he said. “On a larger scale, we have the Joy in Childhood Foundation which has raised $1.25 million.
