😳 A legit Dunkin’ alternative?!

Happy Hump Day, Boston.

✈️ Good news! The deadline for getting your REAL ID driver’s license has been extended to 2025. They were supposed to become mandatory for domestic air travel in 2008, so I’d probably put my money on another extension down the road. Here’s how you can apply.

👀 What’s on tap today:

• Ain’t no party like a Green Line extension party

• X-mas tree prices on the rise

• The ‘Slutcracker’

Up first…

BUSINESS

Does Dunkin’ have a new competitor?

Look out, Dunkin’, there’s a new coffee chain in town.

New York-based coffee company Blank Street Coffee is shaking up the coffee industry. The company has opened about two dozen stores super fast over the last two years, adding two Boston locations in the last four months. And it doesn’t look like your typical coffee shop.

Instead of a barista making your latte, Blank Street’s stores use Eversys machines capable of making lattes or cappuccinos from start to finish while baristas focus on customer service. This automation also means they need fewer baristas, only having one or two running the store at a time.

Blank Street’s selection of locations in the Back Bay and Beacon Hill is strategic: The company is attempting to take advantage of the coffee industry in a post-pandemic world.

Customers were already more likely to grab a coffee and go than stay and sit awhile pre-pandemic, but now they’re far more likely to order online and not linger, something Blank Street co-founder Vinay Menda said in an interview has helped drive the company’s growth, including through its mobile app.

Price wise, the coffee shop is comparable to Dunkin’ or Starbucks. (A Dunkin’ rep did not respond to a request for comment.) You won't find a huge selection of drinks or eats, but their pared-down menu does feature pastries sourced from A&J King bakery based in Salem.

The coffee company started as battery-powered carts in New York City in 2020 but hopes to open 100 locations in NYC alone by the end of the year. They've also expanded into Washington D.C. and London. In a statement to The B-Side, Menda said the company is “excited to grow our presence” in Boston.

He also noted he appreciated the reception from Bostonians, saying “it’s been great to see how many resonate with our belief that high-quality coffee should not come at a premium, and should seamlessly fit into any daily routine.”

CITY

Quick & Dirty Headlines

🥳 Somerville is throwing down to celebrate the opening of the Green Line extension into Medford. The city will host two events next week: one at the new Ball Square station on Dec. 12 (opening day) complete with a band to serenade commuters plus opening day swag; and another at Somerville High School (right down the street from the new Gilmore Square station) on Dec. 17 featuring live music, a food truck, and cocoa. Even city officials can’t believe it’s finally happening.

🔌 ISO New England may ask you to cut back on electricity usage this winter. The electricity operator said the region should have enough electricity supplies to make it through mild to moderate winter conditions, but if severe cold weather develops, they may ask you to cut back to extend fuel supplies until warmer weather or additional energy deliveries. The grid operator doesn’t expect to call for controlled power outages this winter, only resorting to it if it would prevent a severe collapse to the power system. Bundle up, folks.

🎄 Expect to pay a little extra for your Christmas tree this year. Yes, inflation is increasing the price of Christmas trees, but it’s mainly due to an undersupply of trees that’s been going on since 2016. Combine the latter with increased costs in fertilizer, gas, and labor, and here we are. Kelly's Community Christmas Trees in Roxbury admits they had to mark up the prices because of higher costs. But real is still > fake, even in this economy.

THINGS TO DO

Get your tickets here!

🎭 Catch a play from across the pond at the Coolidge Corner Theater. This Much Ado About Nothing showing is part of the National Theatre Live program, bringing British theater to cinemas around the world. Tickets are $27. | Thursday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.

🎸 Rock out with pop-punk band State Champs at Roadrunner. Tickets start at $29.50. | Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.

🏆 Celebrate your favorite local artists at the Boston Music Awards at Big Night Live. Tickets start at $20. | Wednesday, Dec. 14, 8 p.m.

🐅 Get swept away in a live performance of Life of Pi at the American Repertory Theater. It’s heading to Broadway soon, so see it now! Tickets start at $50. | Show runs now through Jan. 29.

👯‍♀️ Secure your spot on the naughty list with The Slutcracker. This revamped, burlesque rendition of the holiday classic is in its 15th season at the Somerville Theatre. Tickets start at $35. | Show runs through Dec. 31.

12 DAYS OF THE B-SIDE

The Pru’s holiday hues

The Prudential Center is lighting up in special colors every night of December.

For the 14th year in a row, the Pru’s ‘31 Nights of Light’ sets the top of the tower aglow each night of the month in support of 28 non-profits and three holidays. Members of the featured organizations color Boston’s skyline by flipping an oversized light switch in the lobby of the Pru.

Tonight, the Pru will light up in blue and gold for Canine Companions. You can find the causes that will shine their colors over Boston each night here.

🤧 Thanks for reading! I’m possibly coming down with my first cold of the season. So if you see Katie in your inbox tomorrow, you’ll know why.

💃 Keep up with other B-Side tomfoolery on IG, TikTok, and Twitter @BostonBSide. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected].