Cambridge Planning Board approves Dunkin Donuts special permit for Central Square storefront

CAMBRIDGE -- January 9, 2024, Cambridge Planning Board approves Dunkin Donuts special permit for vacant Central Square storefront. The board voted 5 to 0 at its January 9 meeting to grant a formula business special permit to Beantown Donuts LLC, owned by franchise operators Mark and Megan Pesce, to occupy the roughly 1,259-square-foot former Starbucks at 655 Massachusetts Avenue. Presenter Kevin Sweet of Blueprint Strategies told the board the franchise would abandon the chain's signature orange-and-pink colors in favor of a black signage band with gold-leaf lettering, with ongoing staff review of final colors required by the Cambridge Historical Commission. One public commenter, James Williamson, urged the board to scrutinize the applicants' track record at their Harvard Square location before granting the permit; Pesce responded that reduced hours there were "a simple business decision" driven by low foot traffic after 9 p.m. The board also unanimously re-elected Mary Flynn as chair and elevated member Tom Sinavich to vice chair, replacing Catherine Preston Connolly who stepped down from the role.