Plaza Owner Says New Dunkin’ Donuts Building Will Benefit All in Canton Commons

Changes surrounding a new building at Canton Commons will help all businesses in the plaza, its owner said Monday. 

Plans for a new, smaller detached Dunkin’ Donuts in the plaza are progressing and the location has been temporarily closed.

Great American Donut of Plainville and building owner 140, LLC, received Zoning Commission approval for the plan in December of 2011, which calls for the new building to the east of the current one and partial demolition to the existing structure at 140 Albany Turnpike.

The change will not only give Dunkin’ a new, but smaller facility that it says will better service its customers but improve things for all the businesses, plaza owner Joel Fried said Monday.

“I think the flow into the plaza will be a lot better,” Fried said.

Previously drive-through Dunkin’ customers have had to circle around the entire building and go first in front of and then behind the other businesses, such as and The change will allow all Dunkin’ customers to drive off to the left as they enter the plaza and customers of the other businesses to turn right. Dunkin’ will still have a drive-through but customers will only have to navigate the separate structure, not the entire plaza.

“It will be a lot better and more convenient for all the tenants,” Fried said.

The plaza will also be getting new lighting, a new sign, a fresh coat of paint and revamped landscaping, Fried said. 

Most should be done by the time Dunkin’ reopens in “late summer,” he said, adding that the hope is for some time in July. The painting may come in the fall and the color scheme will be similar, he said.

Fried is excited about the changes and said the entire place will end up looking a lot nicer. 

“I think it’s going to be awesome,” he said.

Fried also said Dunkin’ has made a long-term lease commitment, which is helpful in a time where new commercial leases are still slow.

Fried is also planning for fresh paint and landscaping down the road at another plaza he owns, Canton Green at 166 Albany Turnpike.

In recent years, that plaza has not been as full but is home to , ,  and others.

“The commercial market right now is a little tough,” Fried said.