PARKERSBURG - Officials announced plans Thursday to break ground on a Dunkin' Donuts store along Division Street.
Matt Jones, Beth Jones and Ben Jones, co-owners of the franchise, said officials plan to begin construction on the store by the middle of next month.
"This is a national chain with great coffee and great products," Matt Jones said.
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Owners of the soon-to-be constructed Dunkin’ Donuts, Matt Jones, Beth Jones and Ben Jones are joined by Chuck Helmick, John Coffman and Scott Stephens with Phoenix Associates, Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell and Jill Parsons, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, during a ceremony Thursday. (Photo by Jody Murphy)
He said officials chose the south Parkersburg location, just off Division Street, across from Burger King, because of its high visibility and proximity to U.S. 50.
"The south side is growing," Jones said.
Jones said the store's construction should be complete by July 1. Construction is being handled by Phoenix Associates.
Dunkin' Donuts was founded in 1950.
According to the company, Dunkin' Donuts is the leading baked goods and coffee chain in the world with more than 9,700 stores in 31 countries. About 6,700 stores are in 36 states and the District of Columbia, although the nearest Dunkin' Donuts is in Bridgeport, according to Jones.
The south side will not be the sole Dunkin' Donuts in the area, according to Jones. He said they have plans to open three additional stores in the Mid-Ohio Valley in north Parkersburg, in Marietta and in Athens.
Jones said the second store will be open in 2013 and all four stores will be operational by 2015. Officials have yet to settle on sites for the other three stores.
Mayor Bob Newell, who attended Thursday's announcement, along with members of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, said the company was targeted by the city's Buxton study. In 2009 officials approved funding for retail market study of the area.
The study was conducted by the Buxton Co., which represents national brand clients. After the study was completed, the information was sent to target retailers whose development goals matched the city's attributes.
Newell said the franchisee has to buy the franchise, but the companies won't sell the franchise if its unsure the stores will be profitable.
"They only locate in places where they have the information that they will do well," he said.
The south side store will employ about 25 and be open 24 hours a day. Beth Jones said anyone interested in employment with Dunkin' Donuts can send an inquiry to dunkindonuts597@gmail.com.
Matt Jones said employees will be required to attend a training school for three to six weeks.
