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October 19. 2011 9:59PM
Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau presents Dunkin' Donuts franchise owner Joe Carvalho with a commendation from Gov. John Lynch at the 50th anniversary celebration of the first restaurant in New Hampshire on Wednesday. (Julie Hanson)
First Dunkin' Donuts in NH celebrates 50th anniversary
Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau presents Dunkin' Donuts franchise owner Joe Carvalho with a commendation from Gov. John Lynch at the 50th anniversary celebration of the first restaurant in New Hampshire on Wednesday. (Julie Hanson)
NASHUA — Dunkin' Donuts celebrated 50 years in Nashua with an anniversary party Wednesday morning.
The Main Street location was the first Dunkin' Donuts in the state.
“My family and I are truly honored to be a part of this celebration,” said current owner Joe Carvalho. “We're lucky to own and operate a piece of New Hampshire's history and we look forward to continuing our business in the area and ensuring that the community receives the best service and quality food and beverages.”
The coffee business runs in the family. Joe Carvalho owns four Dunkin' Donuts stores in Nashua. His father, Rick, owned the Quincy location that was the first Dunkin' Donuts in Massachusetts.
And son Rick, 24, is ready to take the lead as the third generation of owners.
“I think we all love it,” Rick said. “We have a lot of pride in the brand and in the stores.”
Rick remembered making donuts with his father in the back room and receiving his first uniform as a gift when he was 14. He looks forward to a long career in the business.
“I can't imagine what else I'd be doing,” he said.
Waitresses donned classic uniforms from the 1960s and handed pumpkin-flavored latte samples to shoppers. A crowd formed early for the celebration.
Mayor Donnalee Lozeau presented Carvalho with a statement from Gov. John Lynch. Being in the restaurant brought back fond memories, she said. Lozeau is a third-generation Nashua native and got her first job at that location when she was 12. She recalled the days of long counters and tall stools with swivel seats. Many of the people she served back then have become lifelong friends, she said.
“This store holds a special meaning for me and I'm really happy to share that with you,” Lozeau said.
Looking over the packed house Joe Carvalho said he was honored and privileged that so many customers and city officials came out to celebrate the anniversary. Every person who walks through the door is important, Carvalho said, whether they visit twice a day or twice a month.
“We never forget why we are successful,” Carvalho said. “We are successful because of our customers.”
Carvalho took a moment to recognize Cooper Doucette, a regular customer who inspires Carvalho. The Nashua High School North student was paralyzed during football practice last fall, but always has a smile and faces each day without complaining, Carvalho said.
“I saw a community come together and gather around Cooper,” Carvalho said.
Carvalho presented the Doucette family with a $5,000 check.
Frank Deluca, who owned a pub across from the coffee shop, became a regular 22 years ago. The staff recognizes him at the door and has his food ready before he has a chance to order, he said.
“It's a good thing when you can get in line and have coffee waiting before you get to the counter,” DeLuca said.
Pastor Dave Howe of the United Pentecostal Church in Hudson remembers sitting at the Dunkin' Donuts counters and drinking from a ceramic mug. When he first became a customer, coffee and a doughnut cost 26 cents — with tax. A quarter for the restaurant and a penny for the government, Howe laughed. He still visits weekly to buy doughnuts for a local ministry.
“They've been very good to us here,” Howe said.
Carvalho ended the party with a simple message from the family for his customers.
“Thank you for a wonderful 50 years, and we hope to have at least 50 more,” he said.
The Main Street location was the first Dunkin' Donuts in the state.
“My family and I are truly honored to be a part of this celebration,” said current owner Joe Carvalho. “We're lucky to own and operate a piece of New Hampshire's history and we look forward to continuing our business in the area and ensuring that the community receives the best service and quality food and beverages.”
The coffee business runs in the family. Joe Carvalho owns four Dunkin' Donuts stores in Nashua. His father, Rick, owned the Quincy location that was the first Dunkin' Donuts in Massachusetts.
And son Rick, 24, is ready to take the lead as the third generation of owners.
“I think we all love it,” Rick said. “We have a lot of pride in the brand and in the stores.”
Rick remembered making donuts with his father in the back room and receiving his first uniform as a gift when he was 14. He looks forward to a long career in the business.
“I can't imagine what else I'd be doing,” he said.
Waitresses donned classic uniforms from the 1960s and handed pumpkin-flavored latte samples to shoppers. A crowd formed early for the celebration.
Mayor Donnalee Lozeau presented Carvalho with a statement from Gov. John Lynch. Being in the restaurant brought back fond memories, she said. Lozeau is a third-generation Nashua native and got her first job at that location when she was 12. She recalled the days of long counters and tall stools with swivel seats. Many of the people she served back then have become lifelong friends, she said.
“This store holds a special meaning for me and I'm really happy to share that with you,” Lozeau said.
Looking over the packed house Joe Carvalho said he was honored and privileged that so many customers and city officials came out to celebrate the anniversary. Every person who walks through the door is important, Carvalho said, whether they visit twice a day or twice a month.
“We never forget why we are successful,” Carvalho said. “We are successful because of our customers.”
Carvalho took a moment to recognize Cooper Doucette, a regular customer who inspires Carvalho. The Nashua High School North student was paralyzed during football practice last fall, but always has a smile and faces each day without complaining, Carvalho said.
“I saw a community come together and gather around Cooper,” Carvalho said.
Carvalho presented the Doucette family with a $5,000 check.
Frank Deluca, who owned a pub across from the coffee shop, became a regular 22 years ago. The staff recognizes him at the door and has his food ready before he has a chance to order, he said.
“It's a good thing when you can get in line and have coffee waiting before you get to the counter,” DeLuca said.
Pastor Dave Howe of the United Pentecostal Church in Hudson remembers sitting at the Dunkin' Donuts counters and drinking from a ceramic mug. When he first became a customer, coffee and a doughnut cost 26 cents — with tax. A quarter for the restaurant and a penny for the government, Howe laughed. He still visits weekly to buy doughnuts for a local ministry.
“They've been very good to us here,” Howe said.
Carvalho ended the party with a simple message from the family for his customers.
“Thank you for a wonderful 50 years, and we hope to have at least 50 more,” he said.