1.5 min readBy Published On: May 10th, 2016Categories: Features0 Comments on Coffee Hour with the Mayor Brought to you by Dunkin Donuts

Could it be a conflict of interest that neighborhood coffee hour with Mayor Marty Walsh is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts?  Last week, the mayor came out in opposition of the Starbucks at the corner of L and East Broadway  listing reasons such as traffic, double parking and potential to hurt small independent coffee shops. Ironically, the Dunkin Donuts coffee hour with the mayor is at M Street Park – one block from the proposed Starbucks’ intersection.

Initially, John Allison – Neighborhood Coordinator of the mayor’s office was circulating this flyer below:

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Then suddenly, a new flyer began circulating.  No longer a giant ad for Dunkin Donuts,  the fact that Dunkin Donuts is the sponsor is now hidden in teeny tiny print in the bottom left corner.

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Is this a a coincidence?  Probably not.  We’ll, bet after negative comments about the chain Dunkin Donuts being the sponsor and the phrases “conflict of interest” being tossed around social media, the city scrambled and pulled the old switcheroo hoping no one would notice.  But guess what?  We did.

Our question is, if the City of Boston is so concerned about the small, independent “mom and pop” coffee shops – enough to voice opposition against Starbucks – then why isn’t the city reaching out and purchasing the coffee from neighborhood spots.   We think the City of Boston or Marty’s hefty campaign war chest – can afford the $100 bucks for coffee and donuts.  Shop local! Support small neighborhood businesses!

If you would like to ask the mayor about this, you can find him Tuesday morning at 9:30am at Medal of Honor Park/M Street with donated Dunkin Donuts cup in hand.  

That’s just may two cents. 

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