Dairy Queen melts

Posted on July 3, 2012 by ottawaowl


First the Burger King abdicated and now the Dairy Queen has given up her throne.

Disappointed customers expressed their outrage at being denied their cool treats by egging the place.

Perhaps it was local teens, angry that one of their favourite places to chill out has closed? Or former employees upset that they lost their minimum-wage jobs with no notice? A disgruntled senior from Stillwater Creek ticked at losing the closest place to push a walker? I guess it’s all part of Rick’s master plan to transform Bells Corners, where the car is king, into the drive-thru capital of the world.

Other vandals were at work on the holiday weekend. The bus shelter in front of Bells Corners PS was smashed, and there was broken glass all over the parking lot and the school yard, along with a LOT of illegally-ignited fireworks. This is not the first time the school has been targeted – the kindergarten play structure has been torched twice and fundraising is currently underway for a new one.

Lynwood Park was the scene of yet another 2 a.m. pyrotechnical festival, but at least no bottles were broken.

Finally someone took a chance on the inflated rents in the Westcliffe plaza – some of the spots have been boarded up for years!

The new owner of the Allspice Superstore Indian Grocery, a friendly chap indeed, has heard a rumour that a dance school will be opening up in the old Fresh Fruit store next to the Scottish and Irish place.

The new guy has changed everything around in the Superstore and made some improvements.

While you’re in the Westcliffe strip mall why not drop into Lapointe’s for some fresh cod tongues or alligator meat?

If that doesn’t tempt you how about a cowburger from Vera’s?

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24 Responses to Dairy Queen melts

  1. margaret says:
    July 3, 2012 at 7:38 am

    DQ … never did like their type of ice cream – more like shaving cream – but they were the only local ice cream place and a BC fixture, even if they did move from their original spot on Northside

    fireworks … suppose losing them from Andy Hayden park – the community decided to do their own
    I remember as a kid having community bonfires and fireworks on Guy Fawkes night … no need for permits – just find a spot and set to it … mind you we did clean up the mess afterwards

    Reply
  2. wanderer says:
    July 3, 2012 at 9:53 am

    Groan…….another one bites the dust. I must agree with your comment about RC’s master plan for Bells Corners – to transform it into the drive-through capital of the world. Do you have the last count for all the businesses that have closed since RC’s plans started? I’ve never seen so many empty/boarded up buildings in BC since we moved here in 1980. It’s more than depressing.

    We took our Mom from Stillwater there once a week for a soft ice cream cone – she really looked forward to this outing. Sigh….I guess now we’ll head to Kanata.

    I wish there was a way to turn things around 😦

    Reply
  3. Wookie says:
    July 3, 2012 at 10:26 am

    As usual it’s just dumb punks using the Canada Day weekend as a good excuse to wreak havoc.

    What else do a bunch of immature, dough-headed punks do when they are completely out of their minds with booze (which is the norm these days) but destroy things? It’s in their nature – their brains are filled with it when they are born. Again NO parental supervision – what’s wrong with you people? You are responsible for YOUR children. Booze is no excuse!

    As for the Dairy Queen, Ricky has gone too far!

    The closet one now is way down the road in Kanata!

    I thought the owner and the boss were great people.

    What is the mumbo-jumbo about violation of section 35 of lease? Why can’t they just say it in English?

    Oh well, Ricky – you got your way!

    Why not just put a casino there? Everything is going down the tubes under your guidance anyway!

    Anyone who votes for Ricky next time needs an EKG to check if they have any brain function at all!

    Reply
  4. OttawaCouncilWatch (@OttCouncilWatch) says:
    July 3, 2012 at 11:11 am

    My understanding is that the Dairy Queen and Tim Horton’s have the same ownership — not 100% sure on this. Possibly the Dairy Queen will open as a joint operation with the new Tim Horton’s.

    The old Tim Horton’s property is listed for rent, which seems premature given that the new one is still in a fairly early stage of construction. Possibly there might be a gap between the old one closing and the new one opening.

    Reply
    • get the facts right or dont post. says:
      July 14, 2012 at 10:48 pm

      DQ and Tims do NOT have the same ownership. Also DQ does NOT co-brand with Tims and the franchise agreement would not allow a DQ franchisee to own a Tims next door, as Tims is currently co-branding with Coldstone (US ice cream chain).

      The owner of the STRUCTURE is the same, but that is not the same as the franchisee of the business occupying the structure.

      Reply
  5. BradC says:
    July 3, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    The rumour I’ve heard from someone who lives nearby is that the land that the DQ and Tim Horton’s occupy is to be made into a medical centre for residents of Stillwater and that DQ and Tim Horton’s had to leave anyway.

    – I heard that the old Salvation Army Church already belongs to Stillwater, so it makes perfect sense that they buy the DQ and Timmies (Timmy’s?) too and expand – no shortage of old folks around, and it’s big business.

    Too bad for teens, Bellwood people, Stillwater residents and all the other ordinary car-less folk who enjoyed walking over for an ice cream or a double-double in a relaxed semi-public space.

    Reply
    • margaret says:
      July 4, 2012 at 7:25 am

      nothing stopping TH or Stillwater from setting up a franchise within their complex … make their own TH if they really want it

      I too had heard that the land was something relating to Stillwater development – would make it easier for access with the traffic lights there

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says:
    July 8, 2012 at 7:59 am

    who were the original owners of DQ on northside?

    Reply
    • margaret says:
      July 8, 2012 at 10:05 am

      you mean there was something before DQ on northside? I feel as though it was always there … until it moved to the main strip
      I remember when it was just ice cream – don’t think I ever tried the hamburgers there … it was great for the pool users … nip around to DQ during the break

      Reply
      • Phil says:
        July 13, 2012 at 10:22 pm

        From the shape of the building, it looked like it had once been a Red Barn – a hamburger chain in the 1970s.

        “When the hungries hit, when the hungries hit, Hit the Red Barn!”

        – Some of the most popular items on Red Barn’s menu were the “Big Barney” (a hamburger similar to a Big Mac) and the “Barnbuster” (similar to a Quarter Pounder or Whopper.)

        The chain was quite forward-looking with their food choices: the Big Barney predated the Big Mac by a few years, and it was the first chain to have self-service salad bars. Chicken and fish were fried in pure vegetable oil (in dedicated fryers); fries and rings in a 60% vegetable oil, 40% lard mix for extra flavor.

        Three mascots were used in the franchise’s commercials: “Hamburger Hungry” (a humanoid figure with a hamburger in bun for a head); “Fried Chicken Hungry” (a chicken leg); and “Big Fish Hungry” (a blue fish.)

        Reply
        • Anonymous says:
          July 14, 2012 at 10:52 pm

          The store on Northside was purpose-built as a DQ in the “barn style” that was fashionable at the time of construction. It was never a Red Barn or any other establishment. Ask anyone with grey hair.The owner should NEVER have given up that location – BAD business move for short term gains (taking over the Wendy’s for el-cheapo rent for 10 years).

          Reply
    • Tim says:
      July 8, 2012 at 8:10 pm

      The original owners were the Burtons who lived on Thorncliffe Place. The wife ran it until her husband retired and joined her. Last I heard she was in Florida and I believe he died last year or the year before.

      Reply
      • Tim says:
        July 8, 2012 at 10:59 pm

        There is no “e” at the end of Thorncliff despite how the retirement lodge spells it. I submitted it spelled correctly.

        – Sorry, I thought I was correcting a typo, since that’s how the owner calls it. It’s confusing, since the retirement home uses “Thorncliffe” and the street is “Thorncliff.”

        Alex calls the bridge the “Thorncliffe Bridge” – what’s with that?

        Reply
  7. wanderer says:
    July 8, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Where did the rumour about Stillwater come from? As regular visitors to our Mom at Stillwater, I’m sure the rumour would have been circulating, either among residents, or staff.

    How would you suggest that Stillwater set up (meaning buy the franchise) their own TH? I don’t think that’s part of their mandate.

    We also haven’t heard about Stillwater owning the old Salvation Army church. Rumours are easy to start, aren’t they.

    – Maybe it’s just a rumour, but several people have told me that they think Sillwater owns the old Salvation Army church. A guy told me just the other day that both the Dairy Queen and the Tim Hortons are in bad shape physically, so it’s unlikely anyone would buy them and start a small business. He seemed convinced that Stillwater was planning to construct some sort of medical centre there to improve the level of care for its residents, and some more units, to improve the bottom line.

    They might even rent out some space on the strip for a small café or whatever (not a TH – the franchise isn’t for sale, as the old owner is just moving to the Double Drive-thru mega TH at the old Hooters).

    Nothing’s been signed yet, but it seems like plausible speculation – investment in infrastructure for old folks is a smart bet. Maybe somebody at Stillwater could just ask the boss when he drops in.

    Or just wait and see what happens – there’s probably nothing that could done about it anyway. The money will just flow to where the profits are to be made, and I’m guessing a lot of long-time residents of Bells Corners would like to stay in the ‘hood when it’s time to give up the house.

    Reply
  8. lisad67 says:
    July 10, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    Stillwater did buy the church property and are looking at getting the other properties.

    – Somebody told me tonight that Stillwater willt face competition for the DQ and TH properties – Swiss Chalet is determined to crack the BC market.

    Reply
  9. Eric says:
    July 15, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Was anyone really surprised that DQ closed down? My wife and I went there one night in June… We didn’t know it was going to close, but we didn’t want to ever go back there. So depressing and run down… I definitely didn’t want to touch anything in that bathroom!

    Reply
  10. margaret says:
    July 19, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Mr Allspice was right about the new lease in westcliffe plaza … Canadian Dance Factory or something like that … that’s good news …

    one down 30 to go …
    now for all the other empty spaces

    see that the Tims rebuild is finally active

    what’s the action on the old Vox site ?

    – I asked the guys operating the heavy equipment what they were doing. His answer: “I have no idea. They just tell us where to make the hole and we dig it.”

    Reply
  11. TonyL1 says:
    July 19, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    The dirt hills at the Vox are getting bigger and the for-sale sign has been moved inside the security perimeter.

    The construction company specializes in environmental excavations, especially where oil leakage is involved.

    Anyhoo, someone is spending some big bucks there….

    Reply
  12. Vena says:
    July 19, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    I’m not too shocked about the DQ closing. I was in there back in June and the place was filthy and decrepit, with trash strewn everywhere and the women’s washroom unusable. The atmosphere had an ominous vibe and the staff were stoned. Kids were sitting out back on milk crates smoking joints when we parked. We were the only ones in there, and it was just after 8 p.m.

    Hopefully DQ will open in a new location in BC. Over by the pool, by their original locale, would be a great place. It’s too bad they moved in the first place. There are certainly enough empty shops they could take over that are nowhere near as decrepit as the closed place.

    In that DQ we felt like we were in a ghetto, in some seedy area of New York City or Baltimore. The atmosphere was scary compared to the ones in Westboro or Kanata. It had a “are we going to be the victims of a drive-by shooting while sitting here?” kind of feeling to it.

    Having spent time in dangerous and seedy areas in the States and Canada during my punk rock music phase, I can honestly say that the BC DQ was right up there with the worst of them.

    – I’ve been to many slums, from Dar-es-Salaam to Lima, and the BC DQ was no picnic. Still, it’s sad to see that whole area downgraded – it’ll be even worse when the Tim Hortons closes.

    Miki’s ($2 drumsticks) and Allspice Indian Superstore (tasty/local/exotic ice cream-on-a-stick for $1.25) are moving more product since the DQ suffered the meltdown.

    Reply
    • Rob Lucio says:
      January 8, 2013 at 10:37 pm

      As I read all these reviews I cringe in horror.

      I want to let everyone in the Bells Corners community know that the DQ reopened under new ownership on Dec. 30 2012.

      This isn’t the first time I have had to pick a DQ up off the ground and breathe life back into it!

      The Bells Corners Dairy Queen has been renovated and all brand new equipment has been put into place, and there will be a full outside renovation in April 2013.

      If you are willing to give DQ in BC another chance come on by and don’t worry about the pot holes – they’ve all been covered up and freshly paved.

      – You have a lot of fans and everyone seems happy that the BCDQ is back in business. It’s nice to have something affordable, fun and family-friendly on the strip besides McDonald’s. It’s about the only place to sit outside and observe life on the strip without patronizing a bar-type patio place or a chip wagon.

      It’s a bonus that residents in Bellwood, Lynwood Village and Stillwater Creek Retirement Community will have another option within walking distance. It’d be even sweeter if the old Timmys reopened – I wonder if the deal with the Shawarma people fell through?

      We heard the rumour back in September and we’re glad you’re back.

      Alex and Rick are tweeting up a storm claiming credit for the reopening. None of my business, of course, but I’m curious – what role did the BIA and the councillor play, if any, in getting you to revive the BCDQ? They have a history of claiming credit where no credit is due – is this another example?

      Reply
  13. TonyL1 says:
    January 9, 2013 at 12:36 am

    I too noticed that the DQ had opened (after someone had pointed it out to me).

    It needs some opening pizazz, maybe balloons or something flashy. The main sign “now open under new management” is hardly noticeable. People who pass it everyday may think it’s still dead and closed, like I did. I had to be told it was open….

    – I agree with you – a grand opening would have been cool.

    I’m sure the owner would like to have more signs, etc. but it’s so darn expensive – the City charges a hefty monthly fee for temporary signs, no matter how modest, and, once you add in rental costs, it can cost hundreds of dollars a month, even for a crappy sign.

    The Alex/Rick BIA tax, the regular taxes, the utilities, the insurance and hordes of other expenses that suck your wallet dry – you can see why it’s no picnic being a small business owner in Bells Corners.

    So more power to these brave souls for taking a chance on Bells Corners. Don’t follow Alex’s example by shopping at Bayshore and upscale Glebe boutiques – support your local entrepreneurs by shopping locally whenever possible.

    Reply
  14. margaret says:
    January 9, 2013 at 8:19 am

    maybe you need to help the businesses – especially the new ones – and run / repeat postings like this again …. DQ isn’t even listed on the BIA web .. a few others aren’t either

    mild weather this week … maybe it’s time for DQ to set out its patio …. for fun at least

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says:
    January 9, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Dairy Queen in BC will have a grand opening with a radio spot in the spring once the outside renos are done – we figured that would be the best time to do it. There will also be a new DQ sign put in place in the spring.

    We are having a customer appreciation day Jan. 26 2013, and lots of selected items will be 50% off.

    Please bear with us until then. This DQ needed a full overhaul – we’ve done a lot and we’re still working on it.

    Every neighbourhood and/or district deserves their own DQ, and I guarantee you that you will love your BC DQ once we are finished with it.

    Reply

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