The Tea Spilt at Dunkin’ Donuts

The Dunkin’ Donuts located at 1173 W. International Speedway, across from Daytona State College, is now closing their lounge from 2:00 to 4:00pm on weekdays due to some unruly students. It has become an inconvenience to other students and regular customers.

“As a student of Daytona State College, I regularly go across the street to Dunkin’ Donuts between classes and have witnessed the horde of kids that are presumably from the grade school down the street,” said Kirby Boatman. Some grade school students, possibly from Mainland High School, have been disrupting the employees and customers in the inside lounge, resulting in the lounge being closed. They are still open inside for online to-go orders and regular ordering, but no one is allowed to stay between those times.

The students have been using vulgar language, leaving large messes, and vaping in the lounge. The behavior has been going on for weeks now. “When I see the place packed with kids, I turn and decide that Dunkin’ Donuts isn’t worth waiting in that mess. What concerns me is the behavior of these kids,” said Boatman. “Where are their parents and why are they regularly skipping school? It alarms me to think about the fact that these children are regularly being permitted to just walk off campus. I feel like the staff at Dunkin’ Donuts should not have to feel bad because these kids have no where to go when they ask them to leave the premises.”

The disruption has caused more damage. “Not only has it affected the Dunkin’ Donuts, but other stores in the strip mall have complained about it as well,” said an employee at Dunkin’, who wanted to remain anonymous. During these hours, an officer will be placed in the parking lot to make sure no kids are skipping school and disrupting local businesses. In Motion contacted management at Dunkin’, but they could not be reached for comment.