Big news, ice cream lovers: Dairy Queen is coming to Niverville, and residents from miles around will soon be chowing down on their world-renowned entrees and desserts. Shovels are already in the ground for the sit-down restaurant and drive-thru in the new commercial strip fronting Old Drovers Run.

“I am very excited to see another major franchise make the commitment to our community,” says Ray Dowse, partner in Westside Properties Inc. of Niverville. “I have been in communication with them for some time. The team at Dairy Queen have been exceptional to work with.”

The new restaurant will include over 2,600 square feet of kitchen and dining space. An additional 500 square feet of patio space will be constructed for an al fresco dining option during the sunny summer months. On-the-go diners will be able to take advantage of the full-service drive-thru as well.

“Everything fell into place over the last couple of months for them to become part of phase one of our development,” Dowse says. “The Dairy Queen at this location will service not just Niverville but the population of the surrounding region and trading area. I am very pleased to see the momentum this community is beginning to generate from a business investment perspective.”

“This size town is DQ’s ‘sweet’ spot across the country,” says Eric Rochefort, DQ franchise developer. “Niverville is a fast-growing community… comprised of young families with children…and draws from many other smaller towns around. Creating smiles and positive memories is what DQ does. There’s no better place to be doing that than in Niverville. The community deserves to have their DQ.”

According to Rochefort, one of this location’s franchisees, grew up in the community and has an ear to the ground for the needs of the area.

“A big part of DQ’s success is making sure that our owners get involved in the community in many ways,” adds Rochefort. “As the store gets ready to open, the owners will be recruiting 60 [employees] or more. Hiring local is always key. We will advertise for recruitment towards the end of the summer or early spring.

The Niverville location, he says, won’t be your average run-of-the-mill quick take-out restaurant.

“We are going all out for Niverville,” Rochefort says. “We are rolling out our prototype Core 72 concept. Seventy-two seats inside, an exterior patio, and a drive-through window. This is our larger concept store.”

Rochefort and other DQ reps visited the new site and, according to Dowse, were impressed with the community as a whole. The new franchisees, Joel and Jackie Carriere and Nick and Nichole Hagidiakow, are equally thrilled about their new prospects in Niverville.

“[We] are very excited to be bringing DQ to the lovely community of Niverville,” says Joel Carriere. “I lived in Niverville for a couple of years and very much enjoyed the people and my time spent there. We feel very fortunate to be able to bring a DQ to the community as there are some great projects on the horizon like the sports complex and new high school.”

Carriere’s partners are not new to DQ franchising. They currently operate two locations in Winnipeg: in the Polo Park mall and on McPhillips Street.

“Dairy Queen has been a great company to work with,” says Nick Hagidiakow. “It is not like your typical fast food restaurant; it’s a fun, happy environment. They have a great corporate support system for their franchisees and help to create the DQ brand that has never been stronger. This is because of all of the great products that everybody recognizes, whether you choose the iconic Blizzard, the timeless banana split, or the classic Peanut Buster Parfait, everybody recognizes and has a favourite DQ treat. There is a reason why we call it fan food, not fast food.”

He adds that their goal is to form long-standing relationships within the community in the years to come.

“We treat our staff like family,” Hagidiakow says. “We are also looking forward to being involved in the community through sponsorship and fundraising opportunities while getting to meet and interact with as many residents as possible.”

Along with Dairy Queen and the Great Canadian Dollar Store, phase one of Westside Properties Inc.’s commercial development will also include additional commercial space. The remaining 2,475 square feet of phase one rental space is expected to be divided into two units - one of 990 square feet and the other of 1,485 square feet.

“The additional 2,475 square feet in phase one, which will be attached to the Great Canadian Dollar, has been verbally spoken for,” Dowse adds. “We are currently working with several parties on options for phase two development.”

Mayor Myron Dyck says council is ready to welcome these new businesses to the local business community.

“I thank them for investing in our community and wish them much success,” Dyck says.