Popular Bayshore Breeze About to Get Busier

Visitors to the Dunedin Causeway area are already fond of the , a unique establishment that combines a convenience store, a gas station and a restaurant all under one roof. 

Soon, travelers to that part of town are going to have another reason to love the place: A 24-hour Dunkin’ Donuts will open inside the Bayshore Breeze at the end of the week. 

According to owner Spiro Voutsinas, an idea that nearly came to fruition back in 2008 is finally becoming a reality just 15 months after a to the facility. 

“Dunkin’ Donuts was supposed to come here in 2008, but the economy tanked and they stopped opening as many franchises for a while,” Voutsinas said. “Then, about eight months ago, they approached us again and asked if we’d still be interested.”

After a couple of months of deliberating — the addition of the national doughnut franchise would mean more remodeling, including the costly relocation of the hood and grill in the back — Voutsinas and his partners agreed to go ahead with the plan. 

“It was a great opportunity to add an important piece to this area of Dunedin,” general manager Steve Koufos said. “It’s like a rebirth. There’s nothing on Alternate 19 that exists like this … so the opportunity to bring this in was very exciting to us.” 

The doughnut shop, which is owned by multiple Dunkin' Donuts franchisee Vik Patel, will operate independently of the Bayshore Breeze business, although they will share the same hours and workspace. 

That presents a unique situation for the employees as well as customers. Koufos is confident the two organizations can not only peacefully co-exist, but also help each other grow and thrive. 

“We have a good relationship with the owners of Dunkin’ Donuts. If it wasn’t for that, it would be a scary thing to do,” he said. "We’ll be sharing everything, from the parking lot to the bathrooms to the customer base. But we all plan to maintain our high level of customer service.”

The shop, which is located on the lefthand side of the building as you walk in, will feature the full Dunkin’ Donuts menu, including coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bagels and, of course, doughnuts. Bayshore Breeze’s restaurant menu will remain unchanged, except it will no longer serve breakfast, according to Voutsinas. 

With a soft opening planned for the launch in advance of a grand opening in April, Koufos is thrilled that something that was planned four years ago is finally coming true. 

“After it’s all done and in, there will be a sense of excitement and relief," he said. "It’s all coming together, like it was meant to be.”

Bayshore Breeze Market & Grill

Address: 2600 Bayshore Blvd.

Phone: 727-286-8974

Hours: 24 hours daily