A combination Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins store is slated to open this weekend at 900 Jeffco Blvd. in Arnold, says owner Michael Geller of west St. Louis County.
“We’re looking to have a soft opening this weekend, probably Sunday,” Geller said today (Sept. 25).
A grand opening will be scheduled sometime after that, Geller added.
He said the store, which will sell both doughnuts and ice cream, will offer specials “when it first opens.”
The approximately 3,200-square-foot store has been in the works since early in 2013, when the city of Arnold approved a conditional-use permit for the restaurant.
The city received an occupancy permit application from Geller for the restaurant on Wednesday (Sept. 24), and the store passed an inspection that day, said Jean Kienzle, an assistant with the Arnold Community Development Department.
Geller said he’s happy to finally see the store ready to open.
“We’re real excited,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
The store has seating for about 25.
It will have about 20 full- and part-time employees, and the store is still hiring, Geller said.
To apply for a job there, go to www.pleaseapplyonline.com/stldunkindonuts.
Geller has six other Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin-Robbins stores in the St. Louis area, including ones in Oakville and Kirkwood.
This will be the first one in Jefferson County.
The Arnold location is in the building that years ago housed a Wendy’s restaurant and later an R.L Jones Properties office building.
A new Wendy’s restaurant opened in Arnold in November 2010 at 989 Jeffco Blvd. in the Arnold Crossroads development.
There also was a Baskin-Robbins store years ago in Arnold – in the Arnold Park Mall at Jeffco and Hwy. 141.
In 2010, Geller helped reintroduce the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise to the St. Louis area, after an approximately 10-year hiatus.
He said his family owns and operates Dunkin’ Donuts stores in New Jersey and he was happy to carry on in the business and open stores in St. Louis.