ASHLAND — Donut trivia abounded at a Wednesday morning ribbon cutting for Ashland’s Dunkin’ Donuts shop on Claremont Avenue.
The second Dunkin’ Donuts broke ground in July 2023, according to previous Ashland Source reporting. Owners Sarvish and Kamni Arora said the store had its soft opening last November, but delayed in celebrating with an Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.
They wanted to wait until it was warm outside and students were back on campus at Ashland University, Sarvish Arora said. Since the store is located only blocks from AU, students make up a large number of their customers.
Mayor Matt Miller, State Rep. Melanie Miller, city councilman Dan Lawson and Chris Box, the director of Associated Charities were among those in attendance.
Both Matt Miller and Lawson shared donut-themed fun facts.
Matt Miller said he’d done his research. He told the crowd Americans eat 10 billion donuts per year.
Lawson works at Ashland’s Salvation Army Kroc Center. He shared that the first National Donut Day happened thanks to the Salvation Army Donut Lassies. They went to the warfront during World War I and made donuts for the troops, Lawson said.
Both Lawson and Matt Miller, along with State Rep. Melanie Miller and Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce president Amy Daubenspeck, lauded the Aroras for bringing business to Claremont Avenue.
Sarvish Arora said they also own the Dunkin’ Donuts shop on Commerce Parkway. He’s proud to bring people opportunities with Dunkin’ Donuts in Ashland.
Dunkin’ Donuts also presented Box a $500 check for Associated Charities at the ribbon cutting.
They said all franchises donate to a local charity when they open. But, they’d like to give more back to the community.
Sarvish said he loves Ashland and values the chance to give back.
