The Hamptons Plaza on Kimberly Blvd is the most popular and easily reachable after school location for Olympic Heights High School students to walk to. Despite this, many students aren’t aware of the other stores and businesses in the plaza other than the infamous Dunkin’ Donuts, which is very well known and has been visited at least once by almost every student that goes to OH. 

“I’ve been to a pizza place [Lenny’s Pizza] that’s in there and a little convenience store [Famous Deli of Boca],” said junior Gabriela Pujols. “The pizza was pretty good and I just bought a soda from the store.”

These businesses – the pizza place and convenience store – are seemingly the only other two shops that students visit and aren’t nearly as popular as the Dunkin’.

Upon closer inspection, the Hampton’s plaza contains a couple of various doctors’ offices, a daycare, and an arcade – that’s only for adults. These are not exactly the kind of businesses that would cater to a high school audience. Despite that, they are located in the most convenient plaza for OH students to meet up after school. 

So the question is raised: Should the plaza contain more stores and restaurants that appeal to high schoolers? Students definitely agree, with some suggestions being an ice cream parlor, an actual arcade not for just adults, Chili’s, Chipotle, or McDonald’s.

The presence of more businesses that are popular among high schoolers can also help alleviate the issue of overcrowding at Dunkin’ and bring more customers to the plaza in general. 

Students at OH are also getting tired of just Dunkin’, and the lack of enticing stores in the Hampton’s results in many students walking over to the plaza to simply stand around and wait to be picked up. If other stores were brought it, it would promote socialization among students and maybe even bring about a couple new study locations.

In addition to being a social hub and study spot, the new businesses could offer great job opportunities to students. The plaza being a short walk away from the school can benefit students who may not have a car to drive to work after school but are still looking to work.

However, if there were more frequently visited stores or restaurants near the school, parents may be concerned about their kids’ spending habits. The temptation of easily accessible, cheap, and quick food or popular clothing could definitely lead to students spending a lot more money than they currently are at just Dunkin’. 

Parents may also become concerned about the eating habits of their children if there were to be more fast food restaurants close to the school. Even if there were to be healthier food options, students tend to go for the quicker and cheaper option, not always the healthiest.

As for now, Dunkin’ seems to be the most popular spot, with Lenny’s Pizza and Famous Deli of Boca coming in second. Maybe in the near future a rival for the Dunkin’ Donuts will open its doors, and the plaza will continue to grow.