Jan. 7—MIFFLINBURG — Dunkin’ is coming to Mifflinburg.
May Brands, of Dallas, Pa., has been renovating a building at 310 E. Chestnut St., Mifflinburg, and plans to open the popular coffee and donuts shop on Jan. 21 with a grand opening celebration to be held on Feb. 7. The building, located in West Buffalo Township just over the borough line, is the former Hometown Eatery.
“We’re excited to be a part of Mifflinburg,” owner Eric May said. “It’s a great town. It’s a great community, one that will support Dunkin’. We’re looking forward to being a part of the community.
The soft opening is Jan. 21, but the “big grand opening” is on Feb. 7. They will hand out 500 VIP cards with $1 off certain drinks, there will be games and prize wheels, a $500 donation to a local charity and a giveaway to 100 guests for free coffee for a year at that specific location.
The store will have 40 full- and part-time employees. The hours will be 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
Mifflinburg has a similar aura to towns where May Brands operate, including its headquarters in Dallas, he said.
“We like smaller towns, not only as guests, but employees,” May said. “They have a great work ethic. Mifflinburg fits that bill for us.”
Route 45 is also the ideal location due to the amount of traffic and the building is a former fast food restaurant with a drive-thru, he said.
“We know the area has a lot of love for the brand,” May said. “It’s a nice fit with how Mifflinburg has grown. Adding a Dunkin’ fills the need of a local community.”
May Brands, an award-winning company, was founded by siblings Eric May and Heather May in 2006. Since that time they have grown into a network of 14 restaurants with additional locations in planning. May Brand’s sister companies, Pen Fern Oil and Pen-Mart have been run by the May Family for over 75 years. Combined, the organizations employ hundreds of employees throughout the state of Pennsylvania, according to its website.
The closest Dunkin’ owned by May Brands is in Centre Hall, but shops operated by other franchise owners are located in Lewisburg, Middleburg, Sunbury, Selinsgrove, Danville and Shamokin. This will be May Brands’ 15th store.
Somerville Construction Service, of Forty Fort, applied for a building permit on Sept. 11 for interior alterations for the incoming Dunkin’ in West Buffalo Township, between Meadow Green Drive and Hardees Drive. The declared cost to renovate the building with a drive-thru is $479,670, according to paperwork filed at the Central Keystone Council of Government in Lewisburg.
The 4,509-square-foot space will have a 99-person occupancy. Two entrances to the parking lot will be off Hardees Drive, according to CK-COG.
Mifflinburg Mayor David Cooney said Dunkin’, while not in the borough, is still a welcome addition to the Mifflinburg area.
“I’m glad to hear that we’re getting a Dunkin’,” Cooney said. “It’s something that’s very much wanted in and around town. For about five years now, every time a shovel was put in the ground, everyone says ‘I hope it’s a Dunkin’.’ I’ve heard many, many requests for it over the last five years.”
Cooney noted the sign on the property seeking job applicants.
“I imagine they will be very successful,” he said.