Dairy Queen - is it coming back in Laconia?

donnamatrix · 10-15-2009, 03:40 PM

I heard that DQ was remodeling and going to add a drive thru window, and maybe "food" ... there is certainly alot of construction at the site on Union Avenue.. Anybody have any info? Also, what's going on two sites away-on the other side of the pink house building - is that going to be parking for DD ?

WINNOCTURN · 10-15-2009, 03:45 PM

My guess is a new DQ and DD?

angela4design · 10-15-2009, 03:51 PM

I heard an Orange Julius as well!

Dave 35 · 10-15-2009, 04:12 PM

The construction on the other side of the Hathaway House (pink building) is a new Dunkin Dougnuts to replace the one on the other side of the road.

ARV · 10-15-2009, 07:02 PM

I believe I read in the Lacona Daily Sun that they were putting up a brand new building with Orange Julius and a drive through! The reason why they closed before Labor Day is so they could start construction and hopefully be open at the end of February!

Great news IMO!!!

jst_4_kiks · 10-17-2009, 11:29 PM

i think they should keep the dairy queen and not go for the orange julius. OJ looks very bland. i have never heard of it and it looks to wierd for me. not a lot of people from the area wouldnt go there. i sure wouldnt. nothing can beat a large reeses peanut butter cup blizzard on a 85 degree summer day.

bring on the new dairy queen. cant wait.

nicole · 10-18-2009, 09:47 AM

I cannot wait for the new building to open up. I love Orange Julius-enjoy their smoothies. I enjoy Dairy Queen's ice cream and cakes as well. Too much ice cream today is that trans fat free stuff and it tastes like it-yuck. I don't know about DQ but if they have jumped on that bandwagon, it does not taste it thankfully. It still tastes good to me.

ARV · 10-18-2009, 07:37 PM

Anyone remember the Orange Julius that was at the Mall of NH? Back when that mall was practically the only "good mall" in the state? Ah, those were the days!

Nadia · 10-18-2009, 10:26 PM

Orange Julius? Are you kidding me? Where did you guys here this? I so hope it's true. I love Orange Julius. Whenever I am shopping at the Mall of New Hampshire it's my first stop. They were always at the Mall's in Massachusetts where I grew up, but seemed like nobody knew what they were when I came up here. That made my night to hear that!

riverat · 10-19-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARV

Anyone remember the Orange Julius that was at the Mall of NH? Back when that mall was practically the only "good mall" in the state? Ah, those were the days!

They use to have one at the Fox Run Mall in Newington

MWSP · 10-19-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARV

Anyone remember the Orange Julius that was at the Mall of NH? Back when that mall was practically the only "good mall" in the state? Ah, those were the days!

Oh I remember that! They had great hot dogs too with a variety of toppings.

AKADQ · 10-19-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jst_4_kiks

i think they should keep the dairy queen and not go for the orange julius. OJ looks very bland. i have never heard of it and it looks to wierd for me. not a lot of people from the area wouldnt go there. i sure wouldnt. nothing can beat a large reeses peanut butter cup blizzard on a 85 degree summer day.

bring on the new dairy queen. cant wait.

I'm glad you enjoy the great products from Dairy Queen. Those of you who don't know, Orange Julius "OJ" has been around since the late 1920's and is part of the Dairy Queen family. Alot customers who have had "OJ" know its a great product. Those of you who haven't had "OJ" will be in for another great treat from the Dairy Queen System. "OJ" is known in alot of the bigger malls and is now being offered to its franchisees at the street level. The core staple of this product is premium fruit smoothies and quality hot dogs.

SIKSUKR · 10-19-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARV

Anyone remember the Orange Julius that was at the Mall of NH? Back when that mall was practically the only "good mall" in the state? Ah, those were the days!

I was there yesterday and saw the Orange Julius closed up.The signs are still there but that's all.

AKADQ · 10-19-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I was there yesterday and saw the Orange Julius closed up.The signs are still there but that's all.

The Orange Julius in the Manchester Mall is in the process of changing ownership.

Argie's Wife · 10-20-2009, 08:52 PM

I didn't know OJ was still around... I remember it from the Newington Mall but hadn't seen it down south or elsewhere for years....

.... now, if we could just get a Sonic up here.... (sorry... guilty pleasure.)

Greene's Basin Girl · 10-20-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

I didn't know OJ was still around... I remember it from the Newington Mall but hadn't seen it down south or elsewhere for years....

.... now, if we could just get a Sonic up here.... (sorry... guilty pleasure.)

How about a Chick Filet! When I am in Florida it is one of my favorite places to get a chicken sandwich.

Argie's Wife · 10-20-2009, 10:35 PM

Chik-Fli-A... now you have me craving those little slider sandwiches with pickles...

Or maybe Hardees or Shoney's... (Hardees' biscuits rock!)

(I used to work at the Shoney's in Nashville, TN that was located just below Sawyer Brown's business office - yes, I've met them all and they were all super nice guys!)

Sorry to derail this but you can't talk about fast food or chains and not gravitate to the South where they chains are just so different than what we've got up here...

Pineedles · 10-21-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

.... now, if we could just get a Sonic up here.... (sorry... guilty pleasure.)

Yes, I agree. We get flooded with commercials on TV about Sonic here in CT. But, the closest Sonic I can see on their corporate map is NJ. I love their burgers but I ain't driving to NJ for one.

nicole · 10-21-2009, 08:07 AM

If you want good burgers-try Five Guys. Great fries too. And they have Mr Pibb!(called Pibb Xtra now but still good). My husband and I were in the new Nashua store on Saturday. Line out the door but everything was orderly and went quickly. We spoke with the owner-who said the next store will be going in Manchester-where the old Tweeter was. He also was looking at the Lakes region but it probably would be the Tilton area for year round business and proximity to 93.

I like Sonic too- I like their funky drinks. Whenever we are in NJ or FL, we usually head to one. I believe they just opened their first Sonic in Mass a short while back.

Mr. V · 10-21-2009, 09:40 AM

One place that I wish would spread out from the SW and get into the rest of the county is In 'n Out Burger.

Best fast food burgers, fries and shakes by a country mile.

I understand it is family owned; were they to franchise, and somehow maintain quality control, it would trounce the competition.

Almost a cult in So Cal.

WinnDixie · 10-21-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Yes, I agree. We get flooded with commercials on TV about Sonic here in CT. But, the closest Sonic I can see on their corporate map is NJ. I love their burgers but I ain't driving to NJ for one.

C'mon Pineedles, where's your sense of adventure!

We have a Sonic about two miles from me here...nothing against it, but I'd like to trade it in for a Dunkin' Donuts! A DQ would be nice, too.

A funny story about regional differences...in New England we always referred to sliding glass doors to a patio, etc., as "sliders". Here, as AW mentioned, those are little, tiny burgers. I can get some hilarious "looks" when I am talking about sliders as doors!

Pineedles · 10-21-2009, 12:18 PM

WinnDixie,

This is a running joke between my wife me regarding DDs. We have 8, count'em 8Dunkin Donuts in Southington, CT. I'll trade you 7 of them for 1 sonic.

Heading4thelake · 10-21-2009, 12:47 PM

My understanding is Sonic has an option on a piece of property in Wallingford Ct. They have not gone to P & Z yet but plan to soon. So they are now entering New England.

jr616 · 10-21-2009, 01:58 PM

They have teamed up! They just did over the DQ in Ipswich, MA and it now serves both! Very cool and very popular!

WinnDixie · 10-21-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

WinnDixie,

This is a running joke between my wife me regarding DDs. We have 8, count'em 8Dunkin Donuts in Southington, CT. I'll trade you 7 of them for 1 sonic.

Throw in a Dairy Queen and I'll round up a bunch of the -probably- 8 Starbucks we have! Two Starbucks are just yards from one another,too!
Maybe I need to try the Sonic, though, before I let it go...I never have! When my NH family came to visit last fall ,they HAD to go try it. It's that good, huh??

pops · 10-21-2009, 02:46 PM

There is a Sonic on the north bound side of rt. 1 in Saugus. Opened this summer I think. We went a few weeks ago they were very busy.

webmaster · 10-21-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pops

There is a Sonic on the north bound side of rt. 1 in Saugus. Opened this summer I think. We went a few weeks ago they were very busy.

It's actually in Peabody. Here's an item from Boston.com: http://www.boston.com/business/gallery/sonicburger/

Pineedles · 10-21-2009, 03:32 PM

Thanks Don. The headline reminds me of when Crispy Creme came to CT. Lines so long the local police had to direct traffic in and out of a 1 square mile area. Funny thing was though that after the hoopla of opening and about 6-8 months of diminishing lines the place closed only 2 years after it opened.

brk-lnt · 10-21-2009, 04:58 PM

An Arby's would be nice, or an In-N-Out Burger would be perfect.

angela4design · 10-21-2009, 04:58 PM

Trivia tidbit...

Seattle had 72 Starbucks within the city limits when I lived there. Some were LITERALLY across the street from one another. No lie.

Argie's Wife · 10-21-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnDixie

C'mon Pineedles, where's your sense of adventure!

We have a Sonic about two miles from me here...nothing against it, but I'd like to trade it in for a Dunkin' Donuts! A DQ would be nice, too.

A funny story about regional differences...in New England we always referred to sliding glass doors to a patio, etc., as "sliders". Here, as AW mentioned, those are little, tiny burgers. I can get some hilarious "looks" when I am talking about sliders as doors!

Can I please put in an order for some chili-cheese fries? And a limeaid? Puleeeeezzzeeeee?

When I lived down South, I'd have given my right arm for Ben & Jerry's, Dunkin Donuts, and marshmallow fluff.

And a properly made Italian sandwich!

Pineedles · 10-21-2009, 07:56 PM

A raspberry limeade!! So, So Good! I think I'm going to sell my company and become a food marketing consultant! So many people let companies know exactly what they want.

mets3007 · 10-21-2009, 10:43 PM

There is an Arby's here where I live dont really care for it not many choices of sides and the food here is mediocore at best maybe its just this one but I never go there much at all.

brk-lnt · 10-22-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets3007

There is an Arby's here where I live dont really care for it not many choices of sides and the food here is mediocore at best maybe its just this one but I never go there much at all.

It's mostly a guilty pleasure/missed item from growing up in the Detroit 'burbs. I would never put Arby's on-par with In-N-Out, but it offered variety from the standard burger.

Bigstan · 10-22-2009, 01:03 PM

Select Arby's have brought back the 5 beefs for $5 promotion. The original $1 menu, and still the best of all the $1 options!!!

Chickie · 10-22-2009, 01:43 PM

The original soft-serve business at the Union Avenue location was Tastee-Freez. It opened some time in the 1950's. In its early days soft-serve was known as frozen pudding, and may still be called that in some parts of the country. After Tastee-Freez opened in Laconia, the product generally became known as Tastee-Freez here. A few years later (in the 1970's) another small stand called Dari-Land opened at McIntyre Circle (next to the Big Banana building). It was the first to offer flavors other than the usual vanilla and chocolate. Their orange-pineapple was a treat and a-half.

Getting back to the Tastee-Freez location, a man by the name of Harry Gallup sold Christmas trees there for several seasons. I recall that he ran an ad in the Citizen which read, "Dollar Trees At Tastee-Freez". Try getting a tree for a buck these days!

VitaBene · 10-23-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

It's mostly a guilty pleasure/missed item from growing up in the Detroit 'burbs. I would never put Arby's on-par with In-N-Out, but it offered variety from the standard burger.

In-N-Out is awesome. Whenever I am in Vegas, I try to make my way over there.

EricP · 10-24-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Yes, I agree. We get flooded with commercials on TV about Sonic here in CT. But, the closest Sonic I can see on their corporate map is NJ. I love their burgers but I ain't driving to NJ for one.

Sonic just opened on RT1 in Danvers, MA, haven't been there yet but it is always busy, even at midnight on Wednesdays! If one were drving from Winni to CT, you could go down 95 and get off/on RT1 and hit Sonic en route, sure a bit extra travel but it's an option.

ronc4424 · 10-25-2009, 06:09 PM

Sonic just opened on RT1 in Danvers, MA, haven't been there yet but it is always busy, even at midnight on Wednesdays! If one were drving from Winni to CT, you could go down 95 and get off/on RT1 and hit Sonic en route, sure a bit extra travel but it's an option.

ERICP........Sonic opened up there new store on rt.#1 North in Peabody,Ma

john60ri · 10-25-2009, 06:51 PM

Speaking of all these fast food places: I lived in Florida back in the '80s, and 3 of my favorites were Taco Viva (Mexican), Bojangles (Chicken) and Long John Silvers (Fish). I believe there's a Long John Silvers in the Boston area, but I've never seen the other two around here. As for DQ, we had a few down here in RI when I was a kid, but I don't think there are any down here now. They only had soft serve ice cream back then, if I recall, but it was always a treat.

EricP · 10-25-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronc4424

ERICP........Sonic opened up there new store on rt.#1 North in Peabody,Ma

I realized that that after I posted. Thanks.

spiderpig · 03-14-2010, 12:19 AM

The new Dairy Queen / Orange Julius is open for business complete with a drive-thru. I experienced the traffic (and sampled some ice cream) the other day. As I approached (from Friendly's side) I saw several cars in the turning lane (headed north) trying to turn into DQ but the cars were stacked up at the drive-thru and blocking the entrance. I chose to drive past QD and pull into the lot next door and walk over. While there (about 20 minutes) I saw the traffic problems continue.

This is gonna be a real problem when the summer months get here and the traffic is busier in and around DQ!

I am glad to see they now serve hot dogs though I was hoping they would expand the DQ menu to include burgers and more.

trfour · 03-14-2010, 03:04 AM

A little History, although a little off topic. They have always been a great outfit.

Back in the day, I'm talking late fifties, a Dairy Queen had closed and the building was torn down leaving an empty parking lot next to Fordge Pond on route 18 in East Bridgewater MA. Us kids would gather there to enjoy the waterfront and reminisce about the Awesome Ice Cream.

There are some great Dairy Queens here in Texas, and I don't know how hi-test they are go'in to go up there in NH, but they serve gourmet tex-mex, burgers, salads, Onion'en rings and fries here what's pretty dang good!

It Is good news for me to see that another part of history is being restored to the Lakes Region!

Best wishes to y'all

Terry
_____________________________

riverat · 03-14-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderpig

The new Dairy Queen / Orange Julius is open for business complete with a drive-thru. I experienced the traffic (and sampled some ice cream) the other day. As I approached (from Friendly's side) I saw several cars in the turning lane (headed north) trying to turn into DQ but the cars were stacked up at the drive-thru and blocking the entrance. I chose to drive past QD and pull into the lot next door and walk over. While there (about 20 minutes) I saw the traffic problems continue.

This is gonna be a real problem when the summer months get here and the traffic is busier in and around DQ!

I am glad to see they now serve hot dogs though I was hoping they would expand the DQ menu to include burgers and more.

I was going to stop last Friday for an Orange Julius (have not had one in years, Yum) but the traffic going in was a problem, looked like a toll booth.
Hopefully next time I am passing thru there I can score.

Argie's Wife · 03-14-2010, 09:00 AM

After the dust settles, I know a little 8 year old boy who would absolutely love to try DQ for the first time... (this is a kid that asks for sundaes for suppa... on a hot summer day I admit to giving in a few times...)

meredith weekender · 03-14-2010, 09:12 AM

We went by earlier in the week and the line was backed up and parking did not exist. I do not understand why DQ put in less parking than what they had before

. hopefully we'll get there to have a julius

.

corollaman · 03-14-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderpig

The new Dairy Queen / Orange Julius is open for business complete with a drive-thru. I experienced the traffic (and sampled some ice cream) the other day. As I approached (from Friendly's side) I saw several cars in the turning lane (headed north) trying to turn into DQ but the cars were stacked up at the drive-thru and blocking the entrance. I chose to drive past QD and pull into the lot next door and walk over. While there (about 20 minutes) I saw the traffic problems continue.

This is gonna be a real problem when the summer months get here and the traffic is busier in and around DQ!

I am glad to see they now serve hot dogs though I was hoping they would expand the DQ menu to include burgers and more.

That's why I think drive-thrus are a bad idea. I remember what it was like at DD across the street! Hopefully the new DD next to the old Hathaway house isn't like that.

Hshag · 03-14-2010, 12:38 PM

I went to the DQ after the Laconia Home Show Yesterday.. I had to wait in the middle strip on the road for 2 to 3 mins before I could enter the parking lot. Parking is going to be a major problem.
I noticed the speaker for the drive-thru was way too far back. You have to order at the front of the drive-thru, this causes the backup into the road. Also the cars that are parked can’t leave because they are blocked by the cars in line. They could get more cars in the drive-thru if they put the speaker to the other end of the building. This might help a little but there is going to be major problems.
Oh yea, The ice cream was excellent and the large cone was completely filled to the bottom.

riverat · 03-14-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hshag

Oh yea, The ice cream was excellent and the large cone was completely filled to the bottom.

Yum,,,

BroadHopper · 03-14-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john60ri

Speaking of all these fast food places: I lived in Florida back in the '80s, and 3 of my favorites were Taco Viva (Mexican), Bojangles (Chicken) and Long John Silvers (Fish). I believe there's a Long John Silvers in the Boston area, but I've never seen the other two around here. As for DQ, we had a few down here in RI when I was a kid, but I don't think there are any down here now. They only had soft serve ice cream back then, if I recall, but it was always a treat.

There is a Long John Silvers in the Heights near Wally World. (Super Walmart)

mcdude · 03-17-2010, 08:26 AM

From the Laconia Daily Sun

Quote:

LACONIA — As Dairy Queen reopened its doors
this month, owners Michael and Michelle Merrill
are celebrating their 10th year in business at the
Union Avenue ice cream shop and their 14th year
of partnership with Meredith Village Savings Bank.
Over the past several months, the Merrills have
been building the new Dairy Queen structure with
commercial financing from MVSB. The new building,
which features a drive-through window, increased
floor space and the same two-window walk-up service,
replaces an older building that had stood on the
lot since the 1960s.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to give the
business a fresh new face and expand on some of the
products we’ve been offering for years,” said Mike
and Michelle Merrill.
When the business reopened for the season, there were
a few more menu items to choose from. In addition to softserve
ice cream, Blizzards, and other traditional “DQ”
treats, there were also be hot dogs and fruit smoothies by
Orange Julius, a popular mall-based franchise.
The Merrills started their first business in 1996,
when they purchased the Lake Shore Deli on Route
25 in Meredith with financing from MVSB. In 2001,
they began leasing that property to other small
business owners and went into business again in
Laconia with the Dairy Queen purchase.
“When we first came to MVSB in 1996, we worked
with Sam Laverack,” said Mike Merrill. Now president
and CEO and a 34-year veteran of the bank, Laverack
was a commercial lender for MVSB for several years.
They’ve been working with John Swedberg, vice president/
commercial lender at MVSB for the past 10 years.
“It all started with a handshake and it’s grown into
a rewarding partnership that has allowed us to grow
and expand well beyond our initial business goals,”
said Merrill. “We’re really comfortable with John and
know him and his family very well too. Our kids play
basketball together and we’ve come to develop a close
and trusting working relationship over the years.”
The Merrills are excited about the re-opening of
their business and, looking even further into the
future, see the possibility of opening an additional
Dairy Queen location in the Lakes Region.
“As always, we’ll run it past John and see what
he thinks,” said Merrill. “There’s a lot to be said for
working with a community bank with people you can
trust. When we come in with new ideas, we know we’ll
always get a straight answer, an honest opinion and a
recommendation that’s in our best interests.”
More information about the bank can be found at
www.mvsb.com.

BroadHopper · 03-17-2010, 08:43 AM

It is obvious, it is a drive thru than a drive in. Good luck with that!

NHBoat70 · 03-17-2010, 03:51 PM

Is it just me, or is the Dairy Queen parking lot set up in a really bad way? You have people going out the entrance and people coming in the exit...as the weather gets warmer, it's going to be awful!! Be ready LPD, you'll be seeing a bunch of accidents there this summer.

RI Swamp Yankee · 03-18-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHBoat70

.....as the weather gets warmer, it's going to be awful!! .....

Well, when the weather gets warmer the deliberation is Dairy Queen ...Sawyers .... Dairy Queen .... Sawyers ....

You don't need 3 guesses as to where I am headed.

Argie's Wife · 03-19-2010, 06:37 AM

It's supposed to be about 60 degrees here today and tomorrow... Maybe we should set up some lawn chairs, fill some coolers, and watch the action from across the street from DQ... it's gonna be nutz!

WinnDixie · 03-19-2010, 08:38 AM

Liked DQ and did visit when I lived up there, and I can picture what you all are saying about the traffic problem. I also was a regular at Dunkin Donuts and remember what trouble is possible there. If the big "donut truck" was there..forget it--drive on by. So I am wondering, don't these traffic problems get taken into consideration when permission is granted for such new changes as DQ now has? Is the thinking that it'll iron itself out when the newness wears off? I would doubt this will happen.

Now, RI Swamp Yankee, you have cut to the chase..."Sawyers"!! We have a change bowl collecting $$ for Sawyers when we come up! Ummmm!

Sunbeam lodge · 03-19-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

From the Laconia Daily Sun

My how times have changed.I can still remember my first home mortgage with a banker named Walter Mc Cauley in Rockland Mass and the dealings with him over the twenty
five years his bank held my mortgage. $135.10 a month for 25 years with never a payment missed. Now, fast forward to today's experience with Wall Street and the bankers.
Now the money being spent to buy our representatives in congress and the house of Representatives the destruction of middle class wealth and our insistence on fighting to protect other countries who don't appreciate our efforts are destroying the moral of the people.
What ever happened to the Spirit of this country where your heart used to skip a beat to hear the Star Spangled Banner. When I used to traveled over seas I was very proud of the U.S. and most people were always envious of our country, that has changed..
It does not appear that our children will never know or experience those day's.

Merrymeeting · 03-19-2010, 09:39 AM

56 replies to a thread about Dairy Queen... wow...

Argie's Wife · 03-19-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

56 replies to a thread about Dairy Queen... wow...

Shoot... that's nuttin'... you should see what we can do when asked: "Where can I buy some Girl Scout Cookies?"

Meredith lady · 03-19-2010, 01:24 PM

Argie's wife...your post is so funny I am sitting here alone and laughing my head off!! Have a great weekend!

chipj29 · 03-19-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

Shoot... that's nuttin'... you should see what we can do when asked: "Where can I buy some Girl Scout Cookies?"

Dairy Queen should be ashamed of themselves for selling ice cream, which is terribly fattening.

EricP · 03-19-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

There is a Long John Silvers in the Heights near Wally World. (Super Walmart)

I can't bring myself to go there, we in the Northeast know what seafood is and IMHO Long John Silvers is seafood for those in the middle of the country who don't know the difference

Airedale1 · 03-21-2010, 07:20 AM

IMO the new layout at the Laconia DQ appears to be ill conceived. It will cause traffic to back up on Union Avenue and in addition I believe the new layout with it's lack of the picnic tables has changed the character of the DQ for the worse.

Prior to the change it was a place where local families could congregate and enjoy their treats in a leisurely fashion, which was a large part of the experience. It seems that the new layout is designed to just move folks out a.s.a.p.

john60ri · 03-21-2010, 07:36 AM

Thanks to Broadhopper and EricP. When I'm up there in August, I will stop at the Long John Silvers in Concord. Just for old times sake. Blast from the past, so to speak.

magicrobotmonkey · 03-21-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airedale1

IMO the new layout at the Laconia DQ appears to be ill conceived. It will cause traffic to back up on Union Avenue and in addition I believe the new layout with it's lack of the picnic tables has changed the character of the DQ for the worse.

Prior to the change it was a place where local families could congregate and enjoy their treats in a leisurely fashion, which was a large part of the experience. It seems that the new layout is designed to just move folks out a.s.a.p.

I agree, my wife and I just drove by on the way home from Kitchen Cravings and were talking about how we would never use a drive through at an ice cream shop. Half the fun is waiting in line with your dog, swatting mosquito's! What's the world come to, indeed, when you can fill up on ice cream without leaving your car!

Also, for us its a toss up between sawyers and jordans!

no-engine · 10-23-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airedale1

IMO the new layout at the Laconia DQ appears to be ill conceived. It will cause traffic to back up on Union Avenue and in addition I believe the new layout with it's lack of the picnic tables has changed the character of the DQ for the worse.

Prior to the change it was a place where local families could congregate and enjoy their treats in a leisurely fashion, which was a large part of the experience. It seems that the new layout is designed to just move folks out a.s.a.p.

I AGREE, VERY ILL CONCEIVED!

I sometimes go by between 8am and 10am, including today Saturday, and see the same vehicle(s) parked in reverse direction that parking is designed and striped. What's with that? Must be shift managers. The spaces are angled to go head in, but drivers find a way to back in. Beyond common sense, as they are near the doors. If I were owner/manager/employee, I'd park not afraid to walk so that clients can park efficiently.

AKADQ · 10-24-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no-engine

I AGREE, VERY ILL CONCEIVED!

I sometimes go by between 8am and 10am, including today Saturday, and see the same vehicle(s) parked in reverse direction that parking is designed and striped. What's with that? Must be shift managers. The spaces are angled to go head in, but drivers find a way to back in. Beyond common sense, as they are near the doors. If I were owner/manager/employee, I'd park not afraid to walk so that clients can park efficiently.

You certainly have to much time on your hands to worry about this, and NO the parking spaces are not angled as you have stated. Last I checked, I don't recall selling any ice cream between the hours of 8-10 am. So beyond common sense as you have put it, don't be so reckless to judge until you have all your facts in order !...

kauriel · 10-24-2010, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

I didn't know OJ was still around... I remember it from the Newington Mall but hadn't seen it down south or elsewhere for years....

.... now, if we could just get a Sonic up here.... (sorry... guilty pleasure.)

Sonic hasn't made it up to NH yet but there are two Sonics in N. MA:
Peabody MA off 95/128 (Route 1/exit 44)
Wilmington, MA off 93 (exit 40), close to 95 (exit 35) & 495 (exit 38)

Food is not the best, but the shakes and drinks are fantastic. I highly recommend the peanut butter fudge shake!

10-15-2009, 03:45 PM	#2
WINNOCTURN Deceased Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 849 Thanks: 350 Thanked 351 Times in 193 Posts	Dq???????/ My guess is a new DQ and DD?

10-15-2009, 03:51 PM	#3
angela4design Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 353 Thanks: 45 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	Plus I heard an Orange Julius as well!

10-15-2009, 07:02 PM	#5
ARV Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Early Season I believe I read in the Lacona Daily Sun that they were putting up a brand new building with Orange Julius and a drive through! The reason why they closed before Labor Day is so they could start construction and hopefully be open at the end of February! Great news IMO!!!

10-17-2009, 11:29 PM	#6
jst_4_kiks Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 128 Thanks: 24 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	i think they should keep the dairy queen and not go for the orange julius. OJ looks very bland. i have never heard of it and it looks to wierd for me. not a lot of people from the area wouldnt go there. i sure wouldnt. nothing can beat a large reeses peanut butter cup blizzard on a 85 degree summer day. bring on the new dairy queen. cant wait. __________________ Marine Technician - Learning Something New Every Day PM with any questions about marine repair

10-18-2009, 07:37 PM	#8
ARV Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Back in the day... Anyone remember the Orange Julius that was at the Mall of NH? Back when that mall was practically the only "good mall" in the state? Ah, those were the days!

10-15-2009, 03:40 PM	#1
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Dairy Queen - is it coming back in Laconia? I heard that DQ was remodeling and going to add a drive thru window, and maybe "food" ... there is certainly alot of construction at the site on Union Avenue.. Anybody have any info? Also, what's going on two sites away-on the other side of the pink house building - is that going to be parking for DD ?

10-15-2009, 04:12 PM	#4
Dave 35 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ridgewood NJ and Lockes Island Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The construction on the other side of the Hathaway House (pink building) is a new Dunkin Dougnuts to replace the one on the other side of the road.

The Following User Says Thank You to ARV For This Useful Post:
corollaman (12-12-2009)

10-18-2009, 09:47 AM	#7
nicole Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 139 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 178 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts	I cannot wait for the new building to open up. I love Orange Julius-enjoy their smoothies. I enjoy Dairy Queen's ice cream and cakes as well. Too much ice cream today is that trans fat free stuff and it tastes like it-yuck. I don't know about DQ but if they have jumped on that bandwagon, it does not taste it thankfully. It still tastes good to me.

10-18-2009, 10:26 PM	#9
Nadia Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Laconia/Vegas/Florida Posts: 160 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 24 Thanked 19 Times in 10 Posts	Orange Julius? Are you kidding me? Where did you guys here this? I so hope it's true. I love Orange Julius. Whenever I am shopping at the Mall of New Hampshire it's my first stop. They were always at the Mall's in Massachusetts where I grew up, but seemed like nobody knew what they were when I came up here. That made my night to hear that!

10-20-2009, 08:52 PM	#15
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	I didn't know OJ was still around... I remember it from the Newington Mall but hadn't seen it down south or elsewhere for years.... .... now, if we could just get a Sonic up here.... (sorry... guilty pleasure.)

The Following User Says Thank You to Greene's Basin Girl For This Useful Post:
Winnigirl (10-20-2009)

10-20-2009, 10:35 PM	#17
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Chik-Fli-A... now you have me craving those little slider sandwiches with pickles... Or maybe Hardees or Shoney's... (Hardees' biscuits rock!) (I used to work at the Shoney's in Nashville, TN that was located just below Sawyer Brown's business office - yes, I've met them all and they were all super nice guys!) Sorry to derail this but you can't talk about fast food or chains and not gravitate to the South where they chains are just so different than what we've got up here...

10-21-2009, 08:07 AM	#19
nicole Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 139 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 178 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts	If you want good burgers-try Five Guys. Great fries too. And they have Mr Pibb!(called Pibb Xtra now but still good). My husband and I were in the new Nashua store on Saturday. Line out the door but everything was orderly and went quickly. We spoke with the owner-who said the next store will be going in Manchester-where the old Tweeter was. He also was looking at the Lakes region but it probably would be the Tilton area for year round business and proximity to 93. I like Sonic too- I like their funky drinks. Whenever we are in NJ or FL, we usually head to one. I believe they just opened their first Sonic in Mass a short while back.

10-21-2009, 09:40 AM	#20
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,375 Thanks: 63 Thanked 248 Times in 169 Posts	One place that I wish would spread out from the SW and get into the rest of the county is In 'n Out Burger. Best fast food burgers, fries and shakes by a country mile. I understand it is family owned; were they to franchise, and somehow maintain quality control, it would trounce the competition. Almost a cult in So Cal.

10-21-2009, 12:18 PM	#22
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,541 Thanks: 1,071 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	WinnDixie, This is a running joke between my wife me regarding DDs. We have 8, count'em 8Dunkin Donuts in Southington, CT. I'll trade you 7 of them for 1 sonic.

10-21-2009, 12:47 PM	#23
Heading4thelake Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wolfeboro/Ct. Posts: 67 Thanks: 113 Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts	Ct. My understanding is Sonic has an option on a piece of property in Wallingford Ct. They have not gone to P & Z yet but plan to soon. So they are now entering New England.

The Following User Says Thank You to Heading4thelake For This Useful Post:
Pineedles (10-21-2009)

10-21-2009, 01:58 PM	#24
jr616 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 87 Thanks: 18 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	Oj & dq They have teamed up! They just did over the DQ in Ipswich, MA and it now serves both! Very cool and very popular!

10-21-2009, 02:46 PM	#26
pops Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 82 Thanks: 24 Thanked 281 Times in 59 Posts	sonic rt. 1 Saugus Ma. There is a Sonic on the north bound side of rt. 1 in Saugus. Opened this summer I think. We went a few weeks ago they were very busy.

10-21-2009, 03:32 PM	#28
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,541 Thanks: 1,071 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	Thanks Don. The headline reminds me of when Crispy Creme came to CT. Lines so long the local police had to direct traffic in and out of a 1 square mile area. Funny thing was though that after the hoopla of opening and about 6-8 months of diminishing lines the place closed only 2 years after it opened.

10-21-2009, 04:58 PM	#29
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,944 Thanks: 543 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	An Arby's would be nice, or an In-N-Out Burger would be perfect. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

10-21-2009, 04:58 PM	#30
angela4design Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 353 Thanks: 45 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	Starbucks Trivia tidbit... Seattle had 72 Starbucks within the city limits when I lived there. Some were LITERALLY across the street from one another. No lie.

10-21-2009, 07:56 PM	#32
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,541 Thanks: 1,071 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	A raspberry limeade!! So, So Good! I think I'm going to sell my company and become a food marketing consultant! So many people let companies know exactly what they want.

10-21-2009, 10:43 PM	#33
mets3007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 170 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	There is an Arby's here where I live dont really care for it not many choices of sides and the food here is mediocore at best maybe its just this one but I never go there much at all.

10-22-2009, 01:03 PM	#35
Bigstan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gilford NH Posts: 376 Thanks: 9 Thanked 163 Times in 91 Posts	Arbys is the king! Select Arby's have brought back the 5 beefs for $5 promotion. The original $1 menu, and still the best of all the $1 options!!!

10-22-2009, 01:43 PM	#36
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 368 Thanks: 0 Thanked 67 Times in 38 Posts	Dairy Queen Predecessor The original soft-serve business at the Union Avenue location was Tastee-Freez. It opened some time in the 1950's. In its early days soft-serve was known as frozen pudding, and may still be called that in some parts of the country. After Tastee-Freez opened in Laconia, the product generally became known as Tastee-Freez here. A few years later (in the 1970's) another small stand called Dari-Land opened at McIntyre Circle (next to the Big Banana building). It was the first to offer flavors other than the usual vanilla and chocolate. Their orange-pineapple was a treat and a-half. Getting back to the Tastee-Freez location, a man by the name of Harry Gallup sold Christmas trees there for several seasons. I recall that he ran an ad in the Citizen which read, "Dollar Trees At Tastee-Freez". Try getting a tree for a buck these days!

10-25-2009, 06:09 PM	#39
ronc4424 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Danvers,Ma & Ashland,Nh Posts: 71 Thanks: 151 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	Sonic just opened on RT1 in Danvers, MA, haven't been there yet but it is always busy, even at midnight on Wednesdays! If one were drving from Winni to CT, you could go down 95 and get off/on RT1 and hit Sonic en route, sure a bit extra travel but it's an option. ERICP........Sonic opened up there new store on rt.#1 North in Peabody,Ma

10-25-2009, 06:51 PM	#40
john60ri Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pawtucket RI Posts: 146 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 16 Posts	Dq Speaking of all these fast food places: I lived in Florida back in the '80s, and 3 of my favorites were Taco Viva (Mexican), Bojangles (Chicken) and Long John Silvers (Fish). I believe there's a Long John Silvers in the Boston area, but I've never seen the other two around here. As for DQ, we had a few down here in RI when I was a kid, but I don't think there are any down here now. They only had soft serve ice cream back then, if I recall, but it was always a treat.

03-14-2010, 12:19 AM	#42
spiderpig Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The new dq is open! The new Dairy Queen / Orange Julius is open for business complete with a drive-thru. I experienced the traffic (and sampled some ice cream) the other day. As I approached (from Friendly's side) I saw several cars in the turning lane (headed north) trying to turn into DQ but the cars were stacked up at the drive-thru and blocking the entrance. I chose to drive past QD and pull into the lot next door and walk over. While there (about 20 minutes) I saw the traffic problems continue. This is gonna be a real problem when the summer months get here and the traffic is busier in and around DQ! I am glad to see they now serve hot dogs though I was hoping they would expand the DQ menu to include burgers and more.

03-14-2010, 03:04 AM	#43
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Great To See Them Back... A little History, although a little off topic. They have always been a great outfit. Back in the day, I'm talking late fifties, a Dairy Queen had closed and the building was torn down leaving an empty parking lot next to Fordge Pond on route 18 in East Bridgewater MA. Us kids would gather there to enjoy the waterfront and reminisce about the Awesome Ice Cream. There are some great Dairy Queens here in Texas, and I don't know how hi-test they are go'in to go up there in NH, but they serve gourmet tex-mex, burgers, salads, Onion'en rings and fries here what's pretty dang good! It Is good news for me to see that another part of history is being restored to the Lakes Region! Best wishes to y'all Terry _____________________________ __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

03-14-2010, 09:00 AM	#45
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	After the dust settles, I know a little 8 year old boy who would absolutely love to try DQ for the first time... (this is a kid that asks for sundaes for suppa... on a hot summer day I admit to giving in a few times...)

03-14-2010, 09:12 AM	#46
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 84 Times in 57 Posts	We went by earlier in the week and the line was backed up and parking did not exist. I do not understand why DQ put in less parking than what they had before. hopefully we'll get there to have a julius.

03-14-2010, 12:38 PM	#48
Hshag Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Meredith and Cape Cod Posts: 10 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	I went to the DQ after the Laconia Home Show Yesterday.. I had to wait in the middle strip on the road for 2 to 3 mins before I could enter the parking lot. Parking is going to be a major problem. I noticed the speaker for the drive-thru was way too far back. You have to order at the front of the drive-thru, this causes the backup into the road. Also the cars that are parked can’t leave because they are blocked by the cars in line. They could get more cars in the drive-thru if they put the speaker to the other end of the building. This might help a little but there is going to be major problems. Oh yea, The ice cream was excellent and the large cone was completely filled to the bottom.

The Following User Says Thank You to mcdude For This Useful Post:
Sunbeam lodge (03-19-2010)