Music was heard once again at 27 East Bedford Park Boulevard in Bedford Park as the newest branch of the City’s Dunkin’ Donuts franchise opened to the beats of a live dee-jay, free food, and merchandise giveaways.

 

The storefront had been dormant since February 2022 when the popular Madden’s pub shut after 50 years in business. Now, instead of shots of whisky, staffers are selling hot cups of joe and serving eggs on croissants according to Francisco Montero, operations manager at the new branch.

At the opening on Friday, Oct. 3, at the corner of East Bedford Park Boulevard and Villa Avenue, also known as St. Phillip Neri Way, residents seemed excited about the new business and the free giveaways.

 

Montero said Dunkin’ remodeled the former bar to create the city’s 28th store in the franchise. The company also owns the Dunkin’ Donuts located inside the B.P. gas station at Mosholu Parkway and Jerome Avenue, also in Bedford Park. On the success of the franchise, Montero said, “We’re all over The Bronx and we have some in Manhattan, but we like growing in The Bronx.”

He added in the context of the latest launch, “We’ve got a lot of free products and merchandise, a dee-jay, and free giveaways. At a table outside located next to the dee-jay stand, a Dunkin’ Donuts employee had a wheel of fortune that passersby could spin to win a free water bottle, a large coffee, or a sandwich.

 

Visitors to the table were also given coupons for future discounts at the eatery, and customers also got to meet and take a photo with “Ms. Dunkin’.”

The new Dunkin’ Donuts is open 7 days a week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 

As reported, the National Restaurant & Coffee Shop, formerly located on Bedford Park Boulevard close to Villa Avenue, and a longtime staple of the neighborhood, shuttered after 43 years in May.