New convenience stores and more are coming to this developing area in Manatee County

James A. Jones Jr.
·2 min read

A new Dunkin’ and a Circle K convenience store could be coming to Palmetto, according to public records.

Tampa Bay Acquisitions, a Brandon-based development company, filed paperwork with Manatee County Development Services to build a 5,309-square-foot building at 2425 69th St. E., Palmetto. The company also plans to build a McDonald’s restaurant on the same 37-acre parcel.

A 7-Eleven convenience store is also planned in the area, which has seen rapid development. The property sits just south of the Interstate 275 and U.S. 41 intersection near Sysco, an Amazon delivery station, Chicago Pickle Company and Power Design.

On the east side of the parcel is Northbrooke Commons, where 300 residential units are envisioned.

The same parcel, south of 69th Street East where the McDonald’s and Circle K/Dunkin’ are planned, is part of a mixed-use development, according to Manatee County’s development project viewer.

Property north and south of 69th Street East has been cleared for development.

A Circle K convenience store, shown 5/20/2024, is across the street from where another Circle K is planned on the southeast corner of 69th Street East and U.S. 41, north of Palmetto.
A Circle K convenience store, shown 5/20/2024, is across the street from where another Circle K is planned on the southeast corner of 69th Street East and U.S. 41, north of Palmetto.

By our count, there are 16 Dunkin’s in Manatee County. The proposed Palmetto store would be number 17. There are also about 17 Circle K stores in the county.

The parcel outlined in blue-green is where a Dunkin’ and Circle K are planned, along with a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant and 300 units of housing.
The parcel outlined in blue-green is where a Dunkin’ and Circle K are planned, along with a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant and 300 units of housing.

There is a bit of a story in the names of the two businesses.

Dunkin’ Donuts was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts. In 2018, the company began opening stores under the Dunkin’ name, creating quite a stir.

The company explained that “the new branding conveys the company’s focus on serving great coffee fast, while embracing Dunkin’s heritage by retaining its familiar pink and orange colors and iconic font, introduced in 1973.”

Then to have some fun with the name change — and never miss an opportunity to market itself — Dunkin’ pulled an April fool’s prank.

“Today, April 1, 2024, we are proud to announce that we are changing our name to DONUTS’,” the company said in a news release.

Circle K started out in a different part of the country and wasn’t always known as Circle K.

“Our roots trace back to 1951 when Fred Hervey purchased three Kay’s Food Stores in El Paso, Texas. Little did anyone know that these stores would serve as the beginning of Circle K,” according to the company.