Fairhaven Former Dunkin’ Demolition Gets Some Help From Tiniest Worker

FAIRHAVEN (WBSM) — The process has begun to tear down the former Dunkin’ and Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations to make way for Fairhaven’s first Starbucks.

It's the end of an era on Alden Road.

As previously reported, the Fairhaven Starbucks is expected to open in the fall of 2024, but before construction can begin, the former occupants of the two lots that will be combined into one need to be demolished.

The original Dunkin’ moved across the street with a “Nex Gen” store in 2019, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe will soon open in its new location on Sarah’s Way next to the CVS plaza on Route 6.

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The two empty buildings are coming down, and the workers got a helping hand this morning from the tiniest demolition expert.

Four-year-old Mikey Panagakos, son of land owner and developer Michael Panagakos and his wife Jen Panagakos, took a turn behind the controls of an excavator.

It’s the second Starbucks location that will open in a Panagakos property, after the coffee giant opened up off Coggeshall Street in New Bedford in January of this year.

Young Mikey actually got to work the controls and begin tearing into the building (with assistance from Chris Cianno).

"A young kid's dream," Michael Panagakos said.

You can see from this video that Mikey certainly enjoyed his time sitting in the seat of a real-life Tonka truck.

Seems like Mikey is a chip off the old block, and ready to follow in his dad’s footsteps. He may still be years away from enjoying his first Starbucks coffee, but thankfully you won’t have to wait as long. You’ll be sipping PSLs late next fall, just in time to start collecting holiday cups.