Milking the Dunkin' Donuts Story for All It's Worth
We received photos of the new Dunkin’ Donuts in Carroll Gardens from two faithful correspondents yesterday. The first, at top, came via camera phone from Graham B who generously remarks that, “It’s certainly nicer than your regular DD, but not sure if it will live up to the charm of some of the other local…
We received photos of the new Dunkin’ Donuts in Carroll Gardens from two faithful correspondents yesterday. The first, at top, came via camera phone from Graham B who generously remarks that, “It’s certainly nicer than your regular DD, but not sure if it will live up to the charm of some of the other local cafes.” The second photo, as well as the shots of the “brownstonish” interior and DD’s “official corporate joseph and jesus garden” on the jump come to us courtesy of Patrick D. We also noticed mention, in the comments on Curbed, that there’s going to be some more Double-D action in Williamsburg at the Graham Avenue L stop. “YAAAAAAAAAY HEART DISEASE,” exclaims the commenter. Eternal gratification to the one who can supply the first photo.
DD Infiltrator a Former Rez [Brownstoner]
Dunkin Donuts Has a Friend [A Brooklyn Life]
CG Getting Fatter by the Second [Curbed]
Just for the record, Leonardo’s did start delivering a few years ago. It was a great place to get a Friday night pizza on a spring or summer evening and eat outside w/ the kids running around the garden. Inevitably we’d run into another PS 58 family and the kids would play together. Sadly, however, we walk by the building every day and my kid is completely excited about the prospect of donuts in the neighborhood (and Donut House doesn’t really have much). Like alot of other families, we’ll probably indulge the kids and shop there on occasion.
Leonardo’s Pizza was good in that I could walk there, have a beer and antipasto and pizza in the sun.
Anyone ever see the steel door in the front room open? It looked like it lead to some fall out shelter.
Also lets not forget that the building its in is one of the ugliest in CG. Although walking down Court a few weeks ago, I heard two women comment how beautiful the building built on top of Key Food was. Point is taste is very a fickle science in CG.
I thought Leonardo’s was blah (and people, he WANTED TO RETIRE.. sheesh) and I like DD coffee.
The beat goes on.
Now can someone tell me where I’m supposed to send my kids to school if we move to Ft Greene?
Leonardo’s pizza was “OK.” It was one of the few places in its day that had a brick oven, but now brick ovens are all over the place. Nonetheless, I’ve had better pizza elsewhere…and out of my own oven, as well.
Am I the only one here that thought Leonardo’s was at best mediocre?
Anon 9:57: I’m Anon 9:47. I agree with your feeling “its just a lost opportunity for someone with real imagination.” That space had great potential. However, I would hazard a guess and say that Leonardo’s is charging an exorbitant rent that would have scared away anything smaller than a chain. Also, Sonny’s is no longer Sonny’s…it’s now called Smith Union Cafe, and I’m almost sure that Alan Harding (Patois) had a hand in that changeover.
No deliveries, cash only, closed for 1/12th of the year…wow cant figure out how they would have gone out of buisness…
It is so silly – the newer residents of CG and vicinity w/ disposable $$ should be a dream come true to someone running a quality, unique prepared food biz like this (working long hours to pay the mortgage doesnt leave much time for home cooking) and offers the opportunity for real high margins (look @ Gimaldi’s). The downside is that other retailers are going to recongnoze this and it will force your rent up. But if you actually try you should come out ahead. Doesnt sound like Lenardos put much effort into success.
Places like Dee Dee Donuts dont even try – I mean when was the last time the place had been cleaned?? How can you feel bad for retailers like this.
Dont know much about regular coffee but in terms of espresso (which does require some talent) although not really good Starbucks does make a passable espresso (especially with the super-automatic machines) – which is much more than can be said for about 95% of local shops.
anon 9:58 — I’m not trying to shill for Starbucks. (There are even better chains, like Peet’s.) But before they came the alternatives were mostly overboiled bilge water. (Cheap overboiled bilge water, but still…) There are definitely better alternatives now, but I’m not sure they would exist, or exist in such numbers, if Starbucks had never moved in.
My point was just, local is better, all things being equal, but all things are not always equal.
I agree anon 9:47. I rarely eat donuts, but when I do, I prefer an independent chain, as I’ve never really cared for DD. Krispy Kreme is another story, however.
But with Jesus and Joseph overlooking me, maybe I’ll change my mind. Bless the donuts!