Regulars—

Grabbing A Cup Of Coffee And… Community

By Nancy K. Crevier

The work place offers a certain sense of familiarity, and home is where the heart is, but sometimes another space offers the comfort and camaraderie beyond what is found in either work or home. Urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, in his book The Great Good Place, refers to such a gathering spot as a “third place.”

Sometimes it is a place of peace and quiet, sometimes very social, music and games adding to the conviviality of the place. It might be a place to read or write in solitude or the kind of joint where a warm smile and a soft-spoken word accompany the service.

Regulars know when they have found “their place” and frequent it, well, regularly. Business owners recognize their faithful patrons and a relationship unique to that space often builds between them. Easily accessible and open to the public, inviting and relaxing, there are many businesses that would qualify as “third places” in Newtown.

This series of occasional feature stories about such places, which we will call “Regulars,” will take a look at the gathering places of Newtown, and what makes them special to the people on either side of the counter.

Because it is a place where so many people start their day, this series will start with a familiar establishment tucked into the corner of the Queen Street Shopping Center. Dunkin’ Donuts is a hive of activity from early morning until the moon is high in the sky. The bright florescent lights and cold metal chairs are overlooked by more than a few townspeople who claim this locale as their own.

Jeff Dymerski, who has owned the franchise since 2001, says, “Each day it is amazing how many regulars there are. We see them and we know what to make for them when they walk in the door. Our relationships with our regulars is fairly personal.”

Mr Dymerski knows which bunch of guys is going to gather bright and early each day. Mid-morning, he says, he can count on a certain group of young mothers and their toddlers to cluster about the tables. He recognizes many of the middle-schoolers who make it a point to grab a hot chocolate or buttered bagel after school and would be shocked if the corner table by the door wasn’t home to the usual gang of older gentlemen every afternoon.

“We know their families,” says Mr Dymerski, of the people he and his staff can depend on seeing every day. “We know when they go on vacation and when they’ve been sick.”

It is a combination of things that draws people to hang out at the bustling business, Mr Dymerski believes. “The name, ‘Dunkin’ Donuts,’ pulls people in. They know what to expect. The staff is another draw; they know everyone’s coffee and how they like it. And we try to be fast. I definitely see [Dunkin’ Donuts] as a meeting spot.”

Dave Ryan of Brookfield would agree with Mr Dymerski. He and anywhere from two to nine other guys from Newtown and surrounding towns claim the table near the door six out of seven days. “It’s roomy and the coffee is good,” he says, reflecting on what brings his group together at this particular business.

Jeff Beaumont from Monroe stopped by for a cup of coffee one afternoon and was roped into the group, which he joins as often as possible now. “I didn’t know anybody. They just got me into the conversation,” he says, a quiet smile playing around his lips.

George Wheeler is another member of the afternoon coffee drinkers. He jokes, “Yeah, we gather here to tell each other lies.”

 “I come here to shoot the breeze. It’s a good place to take a break,” says Tom Adams, adding that the men chat and sip on a hot brew for around 45 minutes to an hour when they get together.

People of all ages come and go as the men wile away that hour each afternoon, some pausing for a quick word, others breezing past with just a wave of the hand.

“Everyone knows where to find us,” says Mr Wheeler. “If you see someone around town, they might say, ‘Didn’t see you at the coffee klatch yesterday. Where were you?”

It is that kind of place.