One of the first things I noticed within a week of arriving in Boston is the bevy of Dunkin’ Donuts (now called “Dunkin’”). Yes, there is literally at every corner, sometimes multiple per corner.
Before I moved, I did my research. I knew that I’d be kissing Shipley’s goodbye for as long as I’d be living here. It was an unpleasant reality (and remains unpleasant) but what can I say? I had to leave for graduate school. Although, I’ll be honest and say there was a small part in my soul that hoped this was all a facade and that there would be a secret Shipley’s that popped up somewhere in New England.
It got me to wondering: Why so many Dunkin’s? And would Shipley’s be as big of a deal as Dunkin’ if it were to come up here?
My verdict? Absolutely yes! That is, of course, if their famous icing could survive the frigid East Coast winters.
There’s a reason I think it would be equally (if not, more) successful than Dunkin’. This is an almost completely objective perspective. Almost.
For starters, you can get Shipley’s hot every morning—guaranteed. So far, I’ve eaten at Dunkin’ a few times. I have only received hot breakfast sandwiches and mildly warm hash browns. I have yet to receive a hot donut, no matter how early I order.
Additionally, Shipley’s has kolaches. One of their most recent kolaches, the bacon, egg and cheese was so good, I’d wake up in the wee hours of the morning to grab one (or two) along with the donuts.
Lastly, I think Shipley’s would do great in Massachusetts because of the Southern charm. I kid you not, whether I was in Oxford or Hattiesburg, I have yet to meet a mean Shipley’s employee. They are truly the embodiment of the traditional, Southern kindness we all look for, no matter how far away we go.
