Dunkin' Donuts Opens Doors

After years of controversy, the Eliot Street Cafe: Dunkin' Donuts opened Wednesday to a generally positive reception.

Owner Duarte "Duke" Carvahlo said he is confident his sixth franchised Dunkin' Donuts will succeed and hopes it will become home to a broad range of clientele.

The Harvard Square Defense Fund provided most of the opposition to the opening of the site, citing concerns about litter problems associated with fast food restaurants, according to Cambridge Assistant Commissioner for Zoning and Building Ranjit Finganayagam.

Carvahlo, though, said he believes the problems arose because of a widespread sentiment among residents in the area against large, nationally-known companies, adding that he remains confused and sad about the initial opposition.

"I am a small businessman," Carvahlo said.

Carvahlo and the Cambridge Zoning and Buildings Commission compromised on the Eliot Street Cafe site, agreeing on a decor quite different from the Dunkin' Donuts standard.

The upscale interior features polished wood chairs and granite countertops, while outside there is a comfortable patio.

Harvard students and Cambridge residents at Dunkin' Donuts Wednesday said they are generally pleased with the new restaurant, although they said they came for different reasons.

Daniel Chatman, a student at the Kennedy School of Government, said he thinks that many other K-School students will eat lunch at the new Dunkin' Donuts.

A significant number of students patronized the location when it was The Left Bank, he said, adding, "I wouldn't come here for the donuts."

Alecia R. Humphrey, a student at the Graduate School of Education, said she came to Dunkin' Donuts looking for somewhere to study, noting that the cafe atmosphere will help the restaurant succeed if the owners do not rush people in an out.

The Eliot Street Cafe: Dunkin' Donuts is open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.