Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
HOULTON — Like the old television commercial once said, “It is time to make the doughnuts” for workers at the Houlton Dunkin’ Donuts.
As part of a major renovation to the 246 North St. establishment, doughnuts, muffins and croissants are now being baked fresh locally. The drive-thru is also now open 24 hours to serve customers.
Tanya Lyons, store manager for Houlton and Millinocket, said renovations to the Houlton store began in mid-October and were completed in mid-November. Changes to the establishment included a major expansion of Dunkin Donuts that included stripping the interior and redesigning the workspace to better accommodate the business.
“This was a total rebuild,” she said. “Nothing is in the same spot. Also, 90 percent of the equipment is new.”
Houlton’s Dunkin’ Donuts shares the building with Brewster Farms convenience store and gas station. Brewster Farms is actually the primary landlord, with Dunkin leasing space. Prior to the remodel, Dunkin occupied about one-quarter of the building. Now, the roles have switched and it is Dunkin Donuts that occupies three-quarters of the storefront.
With the change, booths have also been added so people can enjoy their food and beverages inside the business.
“We now bake all our doughnuts here in Houlton,” Lyons said. “Since we now have the drive-thru open 24 hours, there is always someone here who can bake.”
Pioneer Times photo/Joseph CyrThe Houlton store has actually been baking in the Shiretown for several months, but the ovens were located in the basement and product had to be carried upstairs. With the change, Lyons said employees can bake from the main floor level and also assist with the drive-thru.
In the past, doughnuts, muffins and croissants were baked in Presque Isle and trucked to Houlton on a daily basis.
“This new way is much more efficient and we are capable of cooking throughout the day, so there should never be a time when a certain doughnut is sold out. There may be less doughnuts in the case, because we are cooking fewer, but more often so they will be fresher.”
Lyons added the Houlton store now has greater freedom in helping out with local donations and fund-raising campaigns.
With the expansion, Dunkin Donuts now offers catering services, with coffee urns capable of serving up to 250 people and can also do special orders if a customer wants a certain type of doughnut or muffin decorated a special way.
“We can do things that we don’t normally do,” Lyons said. “For example, we had an order the other day where a person wanted Boston Creme doughnuts, but they wanted white frosting instead of chocolate.”
The most popular doughnut sold at the Houlton store is the bismark — a jelly and cream filled doughnut, Lyons said.
For more information, call the Houlton Dunkin’ Donuts at 532-5954.
