New Dunkin’ and Ready Coffee Opening Close to Campus
Dunkin' is currently in the process of moving into Chesnut Market across from the North Gate of campus. Credit: Emma Gaecklein ‘26
Dunkin’ and local coffee chain, Ready Coffee will be moving into the Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park area in the coming months.
Ready Coffee is building its fourth location in Hyde Park, New York, just north of campus. The company announced the news in January 2024 with a social media post saying, “The rumors are true. Hyde Park Spring 2024.”
The company has expanded quickly since its 2019 opening. The chain currently has three locations in Wappinger Falls, Newburgh and LaGrange.
“I have to say I’m more excited about the Ready Coffee,” said Jackson Lustburg ‘24. “It’s larger portion sizes for cheaper prices, definitely cheaper than Starbucks.”
Dunkin’ is in the process of moving into Chesnut Market across from the North Gate of Marist College, as the state of New York already has 1,414 locations as of this year.
It was reported over the summer that another Dunkin’ would be moving into the Poughkeepsie area, with 101.5 WPDH publishing an article saying, “[A] store employee said that they hope to have the Dunkin’ open and running by the end of the summer.”
“I think everyone is currently anticipating the release of the Dunkin’,” said Lustburg.
The new Ready Coffee location with its "Get Ready" sign in Hyde Park. Credit: Mackenzie Boric '24
With an ongoing boycott against Starbucks, due to a dispute between the company and its worker’s union over “solidarity with Palestine,” many participants are looking for alternatives for their coffee. Considering some students on the Marist campus lack transportation and are actively boycotting Starbucks, Dunkin’ can become one of their go-to spots.
“Once Dunkin’ opens, I’m most definitely there," Lustburg said. “It will completely replace Starbucks in my life.”
With the arrival of the well-known chains, local coffee shops, such as the Poughkeepsie Grind and Kelly’s Bakery, will be experiencing more competition for college students. However, not all businesses see this as a threat.
Kelly’s Bakery, a Marist staple, has been in business since January 2021. The bakery offers different coffee beverages, brunch essentials including breakfast sandwiches and toasts and fresh baked goods daily.
“If you ever see specials, it’s likely been thought of by one of our team members. Like, ‘Oh, I would like to try to make this,’ and we just kind of make what we want. If it’s good, we serve it, if not, we’ll be eating it downstairs,” explained Kevin Halim, owner of Kelly’s Bakery.
As Halim explained regarding the various coffee locations, the crew sees it more as a community. He said his bakery, as well as the others nearby, recommend each other to customers.
“When the community succeeds, everybody succeeds,” he said. “When everyone is succeeding in the business, it creates a better culture and environment.”
Halim didn’t anticipate the Marist community becoming a huge part of their business and success when they opened in 2021. As the bakery is a staple for Marist students, the students have become a staple for Halim and his crew, as they are a major demographic for them to serve.
“Some of the first guests I remember coming in were the Marist lacrosse team,” said Halim. “Since then, Marist has become part of us.”
The Hyde Park Ready Coffee location is expected to open by May this year, and the Chestnut Market Dunkin’ opening is to be determined.