The Dunkin' Donuts site today in Broadlands.

We know you've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting ever since that "Dunkin' Donuts Coming Soon" billboard appeared next to the Sunoco on Truro Parish Drive. What was it, about a year and a half ago?

Some Broadlands residents are so amped about the New England treat of DD coffee and doughnuts that there are nearly 5,000 hits on the community boards contemplating the fate of this food and beverage.

Rumors have been swirling about why the build was delayed and whether or not there would be a second Dunkin' Donuts in Southern Walk, in the same center as the new Harris Teeter. Well, we've got the answers.

First, Kiran Gunnam, the franchise owner of the Truro Parish location, says that they are building now. A soil issue has been addressed, a fight with the developer over who would cover the (estimated) $200,000 fix has been resolved, and in the best case scenario we could see a finished building and open doors by August 2007.

The combined Dunkin' Donuts - Baskin-Robbins will be 2,300 square feet with a drive-through and seating for 20 to 30 people. The other half of the building will be leased to another business. Gunnam said, "I've been paying rent for so long, it is hurting me." So he is eager to make this work.

What didn't work out so well was the second location, which until three days ago was a solid deal. A second franchisee had been working with Van Metre Commercial properties to go into the Southern Walk Village Center. There was some back and forth with corporate Dunkin' Donuts and the two franchisees because the locations are so close together. Ty Heusch from Van Metre says they went through all the approvals and were ready to go, then the deal was killed. Other than the former Dunkin' Donuts location, that shopping center is fully leased. Looking forward to seeing what fab food option can come in to feed our seemingly insatiable appetites for new restaurants.

Hit "comments" below and tell us, what do you think the area needs to fill your food cravings?

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