Quincy, Mass. Blog #12: Original Location of First Dunkin' Donuts!

The best place to visit anywhere in the Quincy area is my favorite- The home of the very first Dunkin' Donuts, located on Southern Artery. Throughout our temporary stay, we had several dog walks to the location (they were long walks!), but it was worth it. Today's blog will tell you about the history of Dunkin' Donuts and how it came to be. 

(Photo: The original Dunkin' today with the Instagram logo and 1950s sign.)

TODAY - A Dunkin' store still stands on the site of the original location, and it's the same exact building. It's gone through some upgrades, but it's kept its 1950s retro look. Outside of the store is a huge "Instagram" logo of a camera, and the year "1950" so people can get their photo there! There is also signage within the store, and photos from the 1950s. 

(Photo: Plaque on the wall proclaiming this is the official original site of Dunkin'. Credit: R.G.)

HOW DUNKIN' DONUTS CAME TO BE - Thanks to the website Atlas Obscura, I didn't have to write all of this, although being a native, and having visited this location since I was a child, I pretty much know the history. 

During World War II, William Rosenberg, a shipyard worker in Quincy, realized that there were not many options for him and his colleagues to have lunch nearby. He then borrowed $1,000 and used another $1,500 to start “Industrial Luncheon Services” to satisfy workers’ lunch needs. The business sold sandwiches, coffee, doughnuts, and other snacks from a truck. After noticing that 50 percent of the sales were coffee and doughnuts, he decided to concentrate on the most popular items in the menu. 

(Photo: The original Dunkin' Donuts location in the 1950s! Credit: Dunkin' Donuts)

He established a new location at 543 Southern Artery, Quincy, named “Open Kettle.” This was the predecessor to Dunkin’ Donuts and sold only coffee and doughnuts for 10 cents and 5 cents respectively. The business was an instant success. Having noticed that customers dunked their donuts in the coffee, Rosenberg decided to change Open Kettle’s name to Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950, and the first Dunkin’ Donuts was born. 

(Photo: Outside the Original Dunkin'! Tom (standing), Rob (right) Tyler (front), Cody (back left), and Dash (back right). Credit: R.G.)

 Today, the restaurant has a retro style to honor its origins. Inside there is plaque that reads “This is the site of the Original Dunkin’ Donuts” as well as original stool chairs in pink and orange colors, and tables with a doughnut shape. There is also a wooden wall with snapshots that tell the history of the first store.

TO MAKE PERSONALIZED DUNKIN' GIFT CARDS - with your photo, a friend or family member or your pet, go to https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en