By Sophia Chang
A recent peek at the location, formerly a cell phone store, revealed that the distinctive pink-and-orange awning was up, although the space remained empty. The help-wanted ads in the storefront windows directed job seekers to the Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo's trombo, or triple, store at 219-20 Northern Blvd.
Lui Ramos, the store manager on Northern, said he has received about 25 applications in the 10 days the help-wanted ads have been posted. He anticipated that between 15 and 20 people would be hired, and said the grand opening was tentatively set for the first week
Representatives from the company could not be reached for comment.
This is the fifth branch of the coffee chain in the Bayside and Little Neck area codes, including one in the Exxon station on the corner of 35th Avenue and Bell Boulevard that is five blocks from the new store.
Judy Limpert, president of the Bayside Business Association, said “it's better than empty stores as far I'm concerned. I don't think it's a bad thing for the neighborhood.”
“The beauty of Bell Boulevard is that you can have your choice of whatever you want. You could eat there for a month and not be at the same place twice,” Limpert said. “Hopefully, Bell will be the wonderful fine dining mecca it is today, and that includes Dunkin' Donuts.”
There are around 4,200 Dunkin' Donuts locations in North America and 1,600 more around the world, according to the company's Web site, with approximately 290 in the metropolitan New York area and some 60 in Queens alone. The company was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Mass., and the first combination Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins store opened in 1990 in Wilmington, Del.
Reach reporter Sophia Chang by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
