Bruce K.
Yelp
Unlike the first Starbucks in Seattle, this first Dunkin' in Quincy is absolutely nothing special. There is no "First Dunkin'" merchandise. There isn't even a really special sign out front that says much more than in small print that this was is "Original Dunkin location - established 1950".
Unless you're looking for the usual coffee and donuts and sandwiches - no complaints, I'm sure they're great - there's no reason to go out of your way to come here.
During World War II, William Rosenberg, a shipyard worker in Quincy, realized that there were not many options for him and his colleagues to have lunch nearby. He then borrowed $1,000 and used another $1,500 to start "Industrial Luncheon Services" to satisfy workers' lunch needs. The business sold sandwiches, coffee, doughnuts, and other snacks from a truck.
After noticing that 50 percent of the sales were coffee and doughnuts, he decided to concentrate on the most popular items in the menu. He established a new location at 543 Southern Artery, Quincy, named "Open Kettle." This was the predecessor to Dunkin' Donuts and sold only coffee and doughnuts for 10 cents and 5 cents respectively. The business was an instant success. Having noticed that customers dunked their donuts in the coffee, Rosenberg decided to change Open Kettle's name to Dunkin' Donuts in 1950, and the first Dunkin' Donuts was born.
[Review 15218 overall, 720 of 2021, number 1081 in Massachusetts.]