SHELBY — Development of a future Dunkin’ Donuts franchise has begun in Shelby along State Route 39.
The coffee and donut company will be a built-in feature of the Mickey Mart gas station being constructed at 191 State Route 39.
Formerly the site of Skarl Motors, the property was purchased by DC Northwest LLC in August 2022, according to the Richland County Auditor’s website.
Joe Gies, Shelby project coordinator, said the company began on-site work last week on Thursday and Friday — which has continued this week.
“They’ll tear the building down and they’ve already taken the parking lot out — the asphalt on that,” he said, adding the building demo was near completion as of Thursday afternoon.
Next steps for Mickey Mart/Dunkin’ Donuts combo
Nearly two years after purchasing the former car lot, Gies said all site plans submitted by DC Northwest have been approved by the City of Shelby.
Furthermore, the Richland County Building Department is close to finishing approvals for the project, he added.
Once demolition efforts are finished, work will begin below the surface.
“They (DC Northwest) will go in and start all the underground infrastructure — the storm tiles, their water lines and everything like that,” Gies said.
“I don’t have a date on that yet — but it should be very soon.”
Visible progress at the site has increased anticipation, said Gies, adding he and several Shelby residents are excited about the city’s future addition.
“We’re looking forward to it and I know a lot of people in town have been looking forward to it,” he said. “It’s just going to take a bit for them to get moving and get it all built.”
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Running on Dunkin’
In addition to their future build, DC Northwest owns a Mickey Mart gas station at 116 W. Main St. in Shelby — purchased nearly ten years ago.
The company plans to maintain both locations moving forward, Gies told Richland Source in July 2023.
Jessica Gribben, Shelby’s economic development manager, said attracting a national chain like Dunkin’ is “super exciting” during an interview with Richland Source in February 2023.
The closest Dunkin’ Donuts location to Shelby is located 17 miles south of the city in Bellville.
“Any new business in town generates some excitement — and there aren’t that many Dunkin’ Donuts in Richland County,” Gribben said last year.
“It’s super popular and to have that same kind of energy in Shelby is great.”
