In a letter-to-the-editor, the “Community Liaison for Dunkin’ Donuts,” Mr. Paul E. Caron concludes that “We should not continue sacrificing economic development, jobs and tax revenue” by prohibiting Drive-thru windows in East Longmeadow and Longmeadow. 

To be sure, Dunkin Donuts sales and revenues are curtailed in East Longmeadow and Longmeadow.  However, these communities do not exist for the profits of Dunkin Donuts.

Mr. Caron is correct to point out that towns prohibit and severely restrict Drive-thrus to create a sense of community or small-town feel.  Mr. Caron fails to mention that more important is that prohibitions on Drive-thrus determine the type of business activity and economic development that takes place in a community.

Allowing or prohibiting Drive-thrus determines the type of businesses and the type of consumers that will frequent a shopping area.

Drive-thrus make for less safe parking lots, increase the traffic and car pollution, magnify the noise, and are harmful to businesses that do not depend on Drive-thru consumers.

Contra to Mr. Caron’s claim that the East Longmeadow and Longmeadow prohibitions on Drive-thrus are “sacrificing economic development, jobs and tax revenue,” it should be appreciated that certain business and economic activity are encouraged by prohibitions on Drive-thrus.

Drive-thru prohibitions allow for more pleasant parking lot experiences, safer pedestrian activity and certain type of businesses activity such as outside seating.   Such experiences increase consumer activity and consumer sales.

Prohibiting Drive-thrus can promote economic development, increase consumer activity to shopping areas, increase sales, which in turn will increase jobs and tax revenue in a town.

Prohibitions on Drive-thrus generate a better sense of community and positive economic development.

Hans G. Despain, PhD
Department Chair of Economics
Nichols College