By Emily Werchadlo

The anticipation is hotter than the coffee.

The word is out, Dunkin’ Donuts is invading Shillman Hall, and Northeastern students, as well as some administrators, are eagerly awaiting its unveiling.

However, it seems like for now that eagerness will just have to wait.

As many students have seen, a plastic sheet is presently covering the area where a new Dunkin’ Donuts store will be built, replacing the Chartwells cafe that occupied the ground floor of Shillman for years before it. Behind that sheet is little to behold. It seems as if there has only been de-construction of the old area, rather than a new one

Little word could be found about the progress of the construction. While speaking to Christine Phelan, of the NUPR office, she was quite excited, and surprised, about the New England favorite gracing the campus. She was also unaware of any details regarding the new eatery, as are many on campus.

Director of University Communications Ed Klotzbier also knew little about the story, which the Northeastern News broke Dec. 4, right before winter break.

Director of Food Services Steve Maynard could not immediately be reached for comment on the progress of the construction.

However, when speaking to many NU students, it is clear they want the wait to be over.

“I am very excited,” said senior communications major Kathryn Sotnik. “I couldn’t believe it wasn’t open yet. It doesn’t even look close to being done.”

An online survey, conducted by The Northeastern News, showed that 76 percent of voters (110 people) would take advantage of the new Dunkin’ Donuts.

Scott Adamowicz, a junior philosophy major, thinks that the new Dunkin’ Donuts could either be a huge success or a huge flop.

“While I was on co-op over at the Massachusetts Statehouse, I noticed that several Dunkin’ Donuts didn’t carry poppy seed bagels among other varieties of donuts,” he said. “If the Dunkin’ Donuts at NU is an ‘express’ franchise, then it might not get as much business as hoped. However, seeing the size of the area, it could possibly be a normal franchise.”

Another concern the new addition to the campus could face is competition from other Dunkin’ Donuts that are very close by, one on Huntington Ave., the other in the Ruggles T stop, only a short walk away.

Narath Serei, a sophomore computer engineering major, said he would definitely frequent this Dunkin’ Donuts, over any others near by.

“I would much rather go to the one in Shillman because it is more conveniently located,” he said. “It would also be an upgrade from what they had before.”

What they had before won’t completely change. The faces who have been serving you hot coffee in Shillman will remain.

Cristina Hence, who has been working at the cafe for over five years, said she is excited about the idea of working for Dunkin’ Donuts, and expects it will bring in more customers.

That seems to be the idea Northeastern has been going for lately, as NU has also brought Wendy’s into the student center. An increase in customers has been obvious through the long lines waiting for cheeseburgers every day.

“I am very happy with both choices,” said Sotnik. “I just wish we might have some healthier options.”