Dairy Queen drive-thru reopens today as remodeling project continues

Those who have driven past Dairy Queen on Business Loop West may have noticed that it’s been closed for renovations since earlier this month.

The good news for fans of Blizzards and Grillburgers is that the drive-thru opens back up today — and by early February the remodeled restaurant will open, with a new item on the menu.

“It’s the same footprint, the same seating, but everything is being replaced,” said Mark Wolf, who co-owns Jamestown Dairy Queen with his wife, Cheryl. “We were down to the cinder blocks basically.”

The renovation includes installing new windows, ceiling, lighting, walls, floors and counter along with a new exit and other changes.

Patrons will also be greeted by a new color scheme — a mix of light brown and maroon.

The exit by the drive-thru is being moved and in its place will be freezers for frozen cakes and take-home treats.

The glass at the counter will be gone along with the old counter. Specials will be displayed where an island of garbage cans, napkins and condiments was located before. In place of the island will be two booths.

The floor will be covered in ceramic tile and part of the wall will be done in a different tile color.

The seating, however, will remain the same at 60 people.

The Wolfs purchased Dairy Queen in June 2005. Although not sure, Mark estimates the interior has remained unchanged for anywhere from 15 to 20 years.

“It’s been a long time, the seating and the floor were getting in bad shape and Dairy Queen would have required me to do something by 2015, 10 years after we purchased it, so we decided to do it now,” he said.

With the changes come additions to the menu. Dairy Queen patrons may have noticed the Orange Julius logo on cups. The store will now feature the smoothie-like concoctions known as the Orange Julius line of drinks. Mark said the full line could possibly come to Jamestown later this year.

The restaurant typically closes for about a week in January for extensive cleaning, so Mark felt it was the perfect time for a remodel.

The Wolfs were talking about the nearly completed remodel since last summer. They chose to contract a local company for the job, Hillerud Construction Inc.

Since the renovation started on Jan. 7 the Wolfs have continued taking orders for ice cream cakes although the restaurant was closed. Those interested in ordering them can call 252-4181 until the restaurant reopens in early February. The drive-thru will be open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local business, business