City’s first donut franchise opened on Pearson Blvd. in 1969
A new business is scheduled to open in one of Gardner’s most iconic locations.
Plenty of residents will know that the long-vacant building at 33 Pearson Blvd. was once home to a Dunkin’ Donuts, albeit one with no drive-thru and dubious parking options. Gardnerites of a certain age, however, fondly recall when the store was known as Mister Donut, the city’s first doughnut franchise which was opened by Paul Blake in 1969.
As motorists can tell by the signage currently at the space, the location will soon be home to an office of Universal Insurance Agency, a Worcester-based agency that specializes in home, auto, and business insurance.
Contractors were currently performing interior renovations in the building, including retiling and electrical updates.
Representatives for Universal Insurance did not give a date for when the office would open.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.