Decatur Dairy Queen Comes Down

dqdemo

Justin sends in this photo from the site of Decatur’s Dairy Queen, which had stood since 1954, which was demolished this week to make way for the large, mixed-use Trinity Triangle project.

ArtsATL wrote about the “vernacular landmark” back in February.

26 thoughts on “Decatur Dairy Queen Comes Down”


  1. Sadness. I so wish that they could have stayed in business through this summer since they are just now starting the demolition.

  2. When the new DQ opens, they should offer a “Rising from the Rubble” Blizzard flavor with every possible mix-in. Including fried shrimp.

  3. I thought about going over there and seeing if they’d give me the lips logo for my garage. I wonder if the one on the building is in the rubble or if they saved it!

    1. I saw the signs had been removed and were resting on the ground at the feet of the demo crew this morning. Looked like they were saving them.

    2. Just drove by and I’m happy to report that at least they set the signs aside in tact and did not just smash them in the process.

      1. Oh good. The kids and I were hoping that they’d be saved! It looked like they were going to get torn down with everything else 🙁

    3. I am in possession of the enormous “$5 Buck Lunch” sign. I pulled over and asked for it this morning. My family giggled every time we drove by it…

  4. It’s sad that another part of history is gone. It was 1 of the last barn shaped DQs and now it’s gone, only to be replaced by another homogenous,soulless brick structure. Just depressing.

    1. Ummm…There, there?

      Listen, I like DQ as much as the next guy, but let’s reserve the drama for something that warrants it. The developer and city worked with the operators (IMO, the heart and soul of that franchise) to ensure they’d have a spot in the new development. This was just a building. A somewhat unique building, and one many of us associated with positive memories, myself included, but if we’re being honest, also a tacky one taking up space that could be better utilized. Yes, we shouldn’t just knock down valuable architecture willy nilly, but I’m not sure I get the sturm und drang.

    2. I always associated the DQ barn with the shabby-ness of that part of town – it fit in with the ugly old hotel that was next door and the empty buildings that were across the street. Those being, the one that was torn down (now an empty lot) and old empty building where (among other things) Paste’s office was (which really needs some love – get some tenants in there Bruce!)

      I love old buildings. I shed not a tear for an old fake barn that housed a fast food restaurant in the middle of our downtown. Looking forward to the future.

      1. “I always associated the DQ barn with the shabby-ness of that part of town – it fit in with the ugly old hotel that was next door and the empty buildings that were across the street.”

        You had no one to blame but yourself, WB, since Berkshire Hathaway owns DQ!

  5. Last I understood, no one from any side (developer, operator, City) was guaranteeing DQ would open in the shiny new building, only that there is a place for it.

  6. Maybe Steve is saying that it is not just a building. It was a place we took our kids when they were little for Ice cream .It was a place where they let my kids dip the cone themselves in the chocolate coating. It was a place to celebrate a birthday or team winning a game.It was a place where that family who ran it was really sweet to my family.And yes that may happen for new families in the new building,but my memories are in the red barn. So let me have a moment of sadness,but I promise I will embrace the new DQ.

    1. DM isn’t always the safest place to air your feelings. It’s the snarky, grumpy thing. Facebook seems safer. All your Facebook-confirmed friends and family can like you as they are wont to do.

  7. I always thought it was a Q.. I’ve thought of heisting the sign many times myself. I wonder however if the owners will claim it as it can be reused in some fashion with the new place.

    1. This reminds me of the Bob’s Big Boy prank that was a favorite on many college campuses in the 70s-80s. It would often be held for “ransom”, which was usually for charity.

  8. It would be pretty awesome to hang the old sign on the wall of the new place, in the same way that Fellini’s has some of the old Greyhound depot stuff on the wall.

Comments are closed.