Here’s a Look at the New Union Square Donuts Shop in Brookline

The afternoon coffee break in Coolidge Corner just got a lot more Boston cream doughnuts.

By Jacqueline Cain· 1/18/2017, 9:25 a.m.

Photos by Jamie Ducharme

Pass through busy Coolidge Corner in the morning? There’s an easy new way to be the office hero, with Union Square Donuts now slinging on Harvard Street. The Somerville-born brand softly opened yesterday, and regular hours begin Thursday, January 18. USD Brookline will be open daily 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

“One of the things that was very attractive to us about the location is the neighborhood feel it has,” co-founder Josh Danoff says. He and partner Heather Schmidt jumped on the former Wulf’s Fish Market space shortly after Wulf’s announced plans to focus on wholesale in the Seaport.

Photos by Jamie Ducharme

The Brookline location offers not only just parking meters out front, like the Somerville shop, but also MBTA stations in either direction. That comes with a lot of foot traffic, especially later in the day, Danoff says. The Bow Street flagship closes by 1 or 3 p.m. every day, and while the kiosk in the Boston Public Market stays open until 8 p.m., afternoon hours in Coolidge Corner will be a new test for the doughnut slingers. With a full-scale Counter Culture Coffee espresso program, cold-brewed iced coffee, and Wifi, Danoff wants Union Square Donuts to be an anytime go-to, he says. Depending on the afternoon reception across the river, the Somerville store could open later, too.

The new coffeeshop has 13 seats, and a custom-painted mural by Elissa Surabian, the artist also responsible for USD’s recognizable hand-written signage at its other locations. The small storefront offers the same menu as its sibling spot, including favorites like Boston cream, jelly-filled, and sea salt bourbon caramel, as well as seasonal specials. Currently, USD has a decadent roasted banana pecan yeasted doughnut, and a cranberry spice offering, glazed with Downeast Cider cranberry blend. The East Boston taproom is one of several locations around town that sells Union Square Donuts on select days each week.

“We’re hoping this partnership with them can continue and evolve,” and that more partners come online for collaborations and retail opportunities, Danoff says.

But the team’s first priority is saying hello to their new neighborhood. We’re certain your coworkers would like to get to know the new shop, too.

Union Square Donuts, 409 Harvard St., Brookline, and other locations, 617-209-2257, unionsquaredonuts.com.