New Dunkin’ in Lower Burrell to bring more life to once-deserted Burrell Plaza

Dunkin’ will open a new store in December in the former First National Bank building in Burrell Plaza along Leechburg Road.

The popular coffee, breakfast and snack restaurant will bring 30 to 40 full- and part-time jobs, said Chelsea Halker, marketing manager of Heartland Restaurant Group, the largest Dunkin’ franchisee in Western Pennsylvania.

“With the additions of Dunkin’, Schaedler Yesco (an electrical supply firm) and a drive-up ATM, that plaza will look quite different next year,” Councilman Chris Fabry said. “Along with U-Haul and the Dollar Tree, that plaza will again be a point of pride in the city.”

Since Dunkin’ is consumer-oriented, people will be moving through, enlivening what once was a mostly vacant plaza and an eyesore for the city.

More than a decade ago, the once-bustling strip mall was home to Montgomery Ward, JCPenney and other stores.

Heartland was interested in securing a Lower Burrell site for Dunkin’ for a while, Halker said. Nearby Dunkin’ locations include Tarentum and Plum. The former First National Bank building was available since 2020 after the bank left the site and opted for a smaller space in the plaza with a drive-up ATM.

“The large parking lot and ease of access were one of the factors that made the site appealing,” Halker said.

“Dunkin’ is a welcome addition to Lower Burrell,” Fabry said.

“Council is dedicated to building on our current momentum and bringing more businesses to Lower Burrell,” he said. “Good things are happening here.”