Sign of spring: Ann Arbor Dairy Queens open for business
The weather might not look like it, but the Dairy Queen on West Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor has declared that spring is here.
The Dairy Queen on Packard Street in Ann Arbor was open Friday, but busy it was not.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
"It’s our 38th season for my husband and me," said Diane Kerr, who co-owns the store on 2430 West Stadium Blvd. with her husband, Kevin.
"Last year, when we opened, it was 66 degrees - we raced to get our help trained and we raced to get our equipment going!" she said. "And what a difference it is this year."
Kerr said the restaurant always opens in early March, and there are advantages to having a slow opening.
"It’s kind of a mixed blessing being slow in the beginning," she said. "We get our equipment going and get everyone trained."
The Dairy Queen at 8041 Main St., Dexter, also opened at noon Friday. A Dairy Queen the Kerrs own in Ypsilanti at 101 East Michigan Ave. will open Wednesday. The Dairy Queen at 1805 Packard St. in Ann Arbor opened Feb. 13. The Dairy Queen at 400 E Michigan Ave, Saline, opened Feb. 7.
The early season at the Packard Street Dairy Queen has been slow as well. Owner Gary Cohen, said the business has only had three busy days since it opened on Feb. 13.
"It’s supposed to be around 45-50 degrees by the end of next week, so we’re looking for that," he said.
Despite the slow start, Kerr said she's confident business will pick up as soon as the weather improves.
"We know people will come," she said. "We hope for a little sunshine. That’s all it takes."
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Comments
mady
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.
Blueberry Sundae!! yummmmmmmm!
Jen
Sun, Mar 3, 2013 : 2:47 a.m.
I saw this article this morning so we decided to visit the location on Packard. The ice cream was very disappointing. It tasted more like ice than ice cream. I hope they get their recipe/mix fixed soon. We love DQ!
Ypsi.Support
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 9:34 p.m.
Who needs sunshine? I just needed to know they were open!
jns131
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 5:56 p.m.
time to see our mom and pop ice cream time is open on Ecorse. Although I am still too cold to eat anything ice cream.
Tyrone Shoelaces
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.
I have always enjoyed taking my son to these two places after baseball games, just like I got to do after my games when I was a kid. Even better when the whole team is there. It even looks exactly the way it did back then. I don't know if other people notice, but the employees at these places write your order on a notepad and figure the total and change from a twenty in their heads. Kudos to the owners for finding the kids who can perform this lost art.
UncleMao
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 5:38 a.m.
'Bout ready for a Butterfinger Blizzard.
brian
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 3:42 a.m.
Folks, we have made it. Winter is just about over and I am so looking forward to sitting on my porch and watch the sun go down.
jns131
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
The sun goes down, the stars come out....interesting. I feel a song coming on.
Little Patience
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 12:13 a.m.
Mmmmmm, Turtle Pecan Cluster Blizzard - how I've missed you...
mr_annarbor
Fri, Mar 1, 2013 : 9:34 p.m.
I know I'm ready for spring, especially after this last snow storm.
Linda Peck
Fri, Mar 1, 2013 : 9:31 p.m.
Wonderful, this is one of the best DQ's!
gerald Grzesik
Fri, Mar 1, 2013 : 8:41 p.m.
There late hot dogs on Michigan ave. opened Feb first!
dsponini
Mon, Mar 4, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
The Dariy Queen location on Michigan Ave/Maple Rd. in Saline serves foot long hot dogs with a shake for five bucks on Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday you can get BBQ Beef sandwhich or Polish sausage and a shake for five bucks....
Julie Baker
Fri, Mar 1, 2013 : 8:51 p.m.
Are you referring to Bill's Hot Dog Stand in Ypsi Township? The restaurant said it sees a lot of demand for its "spring opening!" Here's our story from February: http://bit.ly/aadc-bhds
Lizzy Alfs
Fri, Mar 1, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
This is one of the BEST signs of spring! I have awesome memories of when I was growing up and my dad and I would hang at the Dairy Mat in Birmingham, which was just down the street from our house. As I got older, I would go there with friends in high school and also take my two little cousins on a bike ride there. My choice? Small vanilla/chocolate twist with rainbow sprinkles.
jns131
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 5:53 p.m.
Matt? What time is cocktails at your house?
Matt Lang
Sat, Mar 2, 2013 : 12:01 a.m.
Hot chocolate with peppermint schnaaps