![WSPN’s Annika Martins and Maddie Zajac explore the athletic life of senior Annabelle Zhang through her badminton career. “This [photo] is me and my former partner after we won the 2022 junior nationals mixed doubles category,” Zhang said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_6629-1200x900.jpg)
During the next six months, South Wayland’s Dunkin’ Donuts, Morns, Grape Ideas, and Wayland Wellness Center may undergo a major transformation into a brand new, 13,000 square foot CVS.
A CVS representative recently met with the planning board of Wayland and presented the following proposals: First, the store will be increased in size from 7,000 square feet to 13,013 square feet, making it larger than Mel’s, Starbucks, and Middlesex Plazas. Second, the CVS will be open form 8:00AM to 10:00PM, seven days a week.
Wayland Planning Board Chairman Bill Steinburg stated that CVS was dissatisfied with its North Wayland Plaza location and was interested in relocating to a stand alone lot– either the Caraways lot or in the new Town Center. However, rather than renewing their leases, the owner of the Dunkin’ Donuts plaza sold the land to CVS.
Once CVS closes the deal, they will have to meet the Wayland zoning restrictions. Local zoning would require the CVS store to reduce the number of parking spots from the current 119 spaces to 66. Furthermore, they will have to make sure that the new structure is sufficiently far away from residential homes in the area.
Many Wayland residents are not happy about this new proposal. One primary concern is the increase in traffic due to the two-fold growth of the current building.
A recent traffic study indicated that there would be an increase in traffic; however, this study was conducted in June during peak afternoon and evening hours on a weekday. The study did not examine the site for 24-hours a day, nor on weekends, nor during September through May.
Also, neighbors have expressed concerns about the size of the new building. They worry that the massive size would “not fit” in the small residential area. Others think that a new CVS is simply unnecessary because of the nearby Rite Aid.
The Wayland High School community is one of the most staunchly opposing factions. Freshman Becca Goldberg commented, “It changes how kids will get their coffee and donuts before school. It is so ridiculous how there will be a Rite Aid and a CVS within five feet of each other.”
For many, Dunkin’ Donuts is not just another coffee and doughnut shop; rather, it is an important social venue. Junior Rachel Yih said, “[Dunkin Donuts] has been a hot spot for high school students for years. Now where will we go?”
The removal of Dunkin’ Donuts also has a negative impact on teachers. Long-time patron Janet Karman commented that Dunkin’ Donuts has been, “A good inexpensive source of coffee in this town, and it would be sad to see it go.”
Currently, CVS has not voiced a response as to their compliance with the Wayland Planning board restrictions. For now, Wayland residents can still get their coffee, donuts, and bagels.
![Seniors Garrett Batt, Tom White, Emmanuel Nzaramba and Jack Calverley work together in preparation for the Spring Fling. “We decided to host this because March is kind of a slow month [in which] there’s not really that much happening, so I just thought it would be fun to put pep back into everyone so people could look forward to something this month,” senior Delcie Peter said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-10.28.14-PM-1200x832.png)
Laura • Dec 19, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Personally, I prefer RiteAid to CVS,
I LOVE Morn’s,
and I like my doughnuts. Can you imagine Bell 2 club days without munchkins? 🙁
whSenior • Dec 18, 2008 at 11:23 PM
The thing is Kevin, we won’t be saving that money. Instead, we’ll be forced to go to more expensive shops like Starbucks just to get a simple cup of coffee or waste gas driving to Caraways from the high school. The dollar or so it takes to buy one cup at DD will turn into at least 3 dollars at Starbucks.
Additionally, the plaza offers things for all Wayland residents, not just students. Morns is a great restaurant that stands out among the numerous pizza places in Wayland, and DD is close to the high school and Cochituate Field, making it easy for parents to buy coffee/donuts during sports seasons.
The CVS and RiteAid in Wayland combined must provide 98% of services needed by Wayland residents. If you need such specialized care from CVS, why not drive the extra 10 minutes to Natick or Framingham? This effort on the part of the few people who need the CVS services is a fitting price for saving the atmosphere and contributions of the current plaza in Cochituate.
Dan • Dec 18, 2008 at 10:03 PM
NO!!!! DUNKINNNNSSSS STAYYY!!!!!! I HATE STARBUCKS!!! To much money for bad iced coffee. I hope another dunkins would open up in south wayland. I hope CVS decides to take over Rite Aid instead
Kevin • Dec 16, 2008 at 5:25 PM
A student that starts their day with a cup of coffee is fine however a student handing over a few dollars on a daily basis could realize a hefty college contribution over time.
I understand the social redemption of an early morning interaction but at the cost of college contribution.
Competition is healthy and a dinky little Rite Aid that does not offer any real cost savings to the consumer is somewhat of a monopoly.
We will all benefit much more in terms of health care options -blood pressure screenings-lower cost perscriptions- and the possibility of a small walk in center for flu shots etc.. What if there was a epidemic could we all fit into Rite Aid
I think CVS is a good alternitive to a single choice and long over do.
We could insist on a village facade that would blend in to our village.
Meaghan • Dec 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM
This issue has been hotly debated by town members for the past two months and I am happy to see the student body FINALLY becoming aware of it. A great way to get involved is to join one of the numerous committees that are aimed towards protecting the “Cochituate Village” and its surrounding community. The CVS is a monstrosity blighting the face of our town and we, the students, should vocalize our rejection of it.
Mimz the Sophomore • Dec 15, 2008 at 1:37 PM
NOOOOOOOO
don’t do it!
please! the #5 reason i want to start driving is so i can go there myself!
Hope • Dec 15, 2008 at 1:01 PM
great to get info out to the Wayland students. Maybe a number of you feel so strongly about the possibility of seeing Dunkin Donuts and that ENTIRE corner of E.Plain and Main St. turned into a huge oversized ‘cookie cutter’ CVS… that you could form a group who stays on top of the meeting with the Planning Board in early January and Zoning Board in later January. You could help get the petitions signed by folks who are 18 and above against the destroying out ‘village’. Your strength of #s could be quite a presence at those meetings, and your parents particularly – they pay the property taxes. Speak to the class advisors, or, better yet… pursue it through the parents that are so involved. good luck joining in the political process. hgp
anonymous • Dec 15, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Down with capitalism!!!!!!!!!
anonymous • Dec 12, 2008 at 10:21 PM
great article maggie! i think we’re all sad to see dunkies go 🙁 we can only hope that a new one will come with town center!