You won’t believe why this town changed its name to Dunkin’ for a day!
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If you’ve ever wondered just how deep New England’s love affair with coffee runs, look no further!
For one glorious, caffeine-fueled day, a small town did the unthinkable: it officially changed its name to Dunkin’. Yes, you read that right—Dunkin’, as in the beloved coffee and donut chain that’s practically a religion in the Bay State.
What made this town switch up its name in such a bold way? The answer is steeped in tradition and brewed with heart.
Stow, a picturesque town about 25 miles northwest of Boston, found itself in a dire predicament back in 2022.
Both of its Dunkin’ locations closed their doors, leaving residents in what local media dubbed a “Dunkin’ desert.”
For folks in Massachusetts, where Dunkin’ is as much a part of daily life as Red Sox games and leaf-peeping, this was nothing short of a crisis.
The absence was so keenly felt that it made the news, and the town’s Dunkin’-less status became a running joke—and a source of genuine longing.
After all, in a state where you can barely throw a snowball without hitting a Dunkin’, being without one is almost unthinkable.
Enter Megan Pesce, a Dunkin’ franchise owner with a heart as big as a jumbo iced coffee. When she and her husband heard about Stow’s plight, they knew they had to act.
“As soon as we heard that the two stores in Stow were consecutively sort of closed, we said, ‘We need to fix that,’' Pesce told the town board.
Also read: This quaint town hides the nation’s best kept culinary secret – find out its decades-old gem!
And fix it they did. The grand opening of the new Dunkin’ was set for July 24, and the town decided to celebrate in a way that would make headlines—and history.
On July 8, the Stow town board unanimously voted to ceremoniously rename the town “Dunkin’” for the day of the grand opening.
Grace Kirkman, Dunkin’s associate field marketing manager, summed up the excitement: “You will become the first ever Dunkin', Massachusetts, which I think for every Massachusetts resident, that’s the dream.”
Also read: 88 cents for Krispy Kreme's birthday deal—here's when to show up
To mark the occasion, Dunkin’ made sure the event also supported the local community.
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation donated $5,000 to the Stow Food Pantry. The gesture added a meaningful note to the event, blending celebration with local support.
For one day, Stow wasn’t just a town—it was a symbol of New England’s enduring love for a good cup of joe and a reminder of how a simple treat can bring people together.
Read next: Hungry? Don’t miss these National Drive‑Thru Day 2025 freebies and deals!
Were you there for Stow’s big day? Do you have a Dunkin’ story of your own? Maybe you remember a time when your town rallied around a favorite local spot.
For one glorious, caffeine-fueled day, a small town did the unthinkable: it officially changed its name to Dunkin’. Yes, you read that right—Dunkin’, as in the beloved coffee and donut chain that’s practically a religion in the Bay State.
What made this town switch up its name in such a bold way? The answer is steeped in tradition and brewed with heart.
Stow, a picturesque town about 25 miles northwest of Boston, found itself in a dire predicament back in 2022.
Both of its Dunkin’ locations closed their doors, leaving residents in what local media dubbed a “Dunkin’ desert.”
For folks in Massachusetts, where Dunkin’ is as much a part of daily life as Red Sox games and leaf-peeping, this was nothing short of a crisis.
The absence was so keenly felt that it made the news, and the town’s Dunkin’-less status became a running joke—and a source of genuine longing.
After all, in a state where you can barely throw a snowball without hitting a Dunkin’, being without one is almost unthinkable.
Enter Megan Pesce, a Dunkin’ franchise owner with a heart as big as a jumbo iced coffee. When she and her husband heard about Stow’s plight, they knew they had to act.
“As soon as we heard that the two stores in Stow were consecutively sort of closed, we said, ‘We need to fix that,’' Pesce told the town board.
Also read: This quaint town hides the nation’s best kept culinary secret – find out its decades-old gem!
And fix it they did. The grand opening of the new Dunkin’ was set for July 24, and the town decided to celebrate in a way that would make headlines—and history.
On July 8, the Stow town board unanimously voted to ceremoniously rename the town “Dunkin’” for the day of the grand opening.
Grace Kirkman, Dunkin’s associate field marketing manager, summed up the excitement: “You will become the first ever Dunkin', Massachusetts, which I think for every Massachusetts resident, that’s the dream.”
Also read: 88 cents for Krispy Kreme's birthday deal—here's when to show up
To mark the occasion, Dunkin’ made sure the event also supported the local community.
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation donated $5,000 to the Stow Food Pantry. The gesture added a meaningful note to the event, blending celebration with local support.
For one day, Stow wasn’t just a town—it was a symbol of New England’s enduring love for a good cup of joe and a reminder of how a simple treat can bring people together.
Read next: Hungry? Don’t miss these National Drive‑Thru Day 2025 freebies and deals!
