We’ve Been Slam Dunked! [OPINION]

Dunkin', whatever are you doing to me?

The caffeine lifeline for most in these parts closed three stores at the end of last week. Whoever imagined they'd see a Dunkin' shuttered, never mind three in one day? This must be a sign of the apocalypse.

Dunkin', the beanery formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, is opening up some new shops but in order to do so, it had to board up some old shops. Is there a legal limit on how many Dunkin's can exist in one city? If so, I want to know why and who issued that edict without consulting with me first.

The Dunkin' location at Tarkiln Hill Road and Ashley Boulevard went first. Really? That was my number one. How could you do this? That was followed by the Dunkin' at Route 6 and Alden Road in Fairhaven. That was my number two. The third location to close was on Conway Street at Route 18. What kind of evildoers would do such an evil thing?

Dunkin' recently opened a new location at the New Bedford Business Park and is working on a new place on Route 6 kinda kitty-corner from the now-closed location at Alden Road. There are reports that Dunkin' will close a location on Kempton Street soon and that several of the former sites will be snatched up by rival Honey Dew.

What is amazing about all of this is how much it matters to folks around here. These changes have a profound impact on many lives in Southern New England. I'd be willing to bet that there is no place on Earth that has as many coffee addicts. I personally know people who would put off paying bills if it threatened their ability to to satisfy their daily Dunkin' intake.

Coffee is serious business around here and Dunkin' is at the heart of it all. Take the pizza, take the tacos but please, don't take our Dunks! I think I will be okay as long as they leave the little drive-thru on King's Highway alone.

Close that one, and all bets are off.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.