Boston Street feeds all-night needs

LYNN – To the delight of local Dunkin’ Donuts customers, Boston Street is about to become “the street that never sleeps” with franchise owner John Mello’s request to operate one of his coffee shops around the clock.”I wish they were all open 24 hours – I’m addicted to Dunkin’ Donuts,” confessed Lynn resident Diane Mullen as she ordered a large French vanilla latte ice coffee at the drive-through window on Boston Street Monday.Mello’s bid to open his 80 Boston St. business around the clock is one of two 24-hour operation proposals city councilors will review on Dec. 16.Mello’s request would make Dunkin’ Donuts the sixth business on Boston Street between Washington and Chestnut streets to open into the wee hours or remain open around the clock.Boston Shell, CVS pharmacy and the McDonald’s drive-through are open 24 hours, according to city records; Wendy’s is open until 4 a.m. and Burger King has a city-approved Thursday through Saturday 2 a.m. closing time and a midnight closing time Sunday through Wednesday. Burger King suffered significant damage in an October 2013 fire and was subsequently torn down. Ground was broken last month for a new building in the same location.Mello owns 10 of Lynn’s 12 Dunkin’ Donuts – including 25 Boston St. – as well as Nahant and Salem franchises and already operates a 24-hour Lynnway location. He said that Dunkin’ Donuts is convenient for Lynn employees working overnight shifts and he thinks a second 24-hour shop closer to the city’s center makes sense.”A lot of people drive down Boston Street late at night,” Mello said.In addition to Mello’s Dunkin’ Donuts, the Lynnway has four other businesses open around the clock – two gas stations, a Wendy’s and a McDonald’s.Lynn resident Kelcie Hardy said the chance to buy coffee anytime she wants at Dunkin’ Donuts is a convenience she can’t wait to enjoy even if it means a late-night drive with her friends to Boston Street.”I live right down the way and, besides, we’re young,” she said.Mello, who plans to offer walk-in and drive-through 24-hour service at 80 Boston St., said he needs expanded hours to offset business he lost with the installation of a traffic signal at Boston and Ford streets.He said Boston Street traffic backs up at the light when it turns red and, once the light turns green, rolls down Boston Street in a solid line, making it difficult for drive-through customers to pull onto Boston Street.Tropic Star, the New Hampshire-based developer that built the CVS, spent $300,000 installing the new signal and synchronizing four others on or near Boston Street at no cost to the city.Lynn Mobil, 512 Chestnut St., will also be seeking approval for 24-hour operation at the Dec. 16 meeting.Police Chief Kevin Coppinger said the Mobil station and 80 Boston St. do not “have a history of significant problems” that would prompt police to raise concerns about 24-hour operation at the two sites.