Good News! Grand Rapids’ Last Dairy Queen Will Live On

Thank goodness! We're still going to be able to get hot eats and cool treats in Grand Rapids!

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Earlier this year, Grand Rapids last remaining Dairy Queen shared some sad news...

The Dairy Queen located at 1138 Walker Ave. on the northwest side of Grand Rapids would be closing after this season.

After over 65 years and four generations making those tasty treats, John Hunt and his family shared in February 2023 they'd be stepping away from the business.

The family wrote at the time,

Our family made it through recessions, employee shortages, many life changes, and even COVID but it is becoming increasingly difficult to run a small family business. We have found some amazing teenagers, now adult friends to help us work their summers with us too. Some of them are coming back this season to bid it all farewell.

Well, there's a happy update!

The Walker Ave. Dairy Queen will be reopening next season with some new owners AND it's staying in the family!

They shared the news to Facebook, saying:

After the outpouring of love and support from the community, once we announced my parents' retirement, I felt it was worth reevaluating the possibility to take on the endeavor. Thankfully, one of our longtime employees stepped up and offered to step in as my partner...

We have known this DQ is important to my family but we did not know it was so loved by so many. We absolutely love the West Side and all the people in it, and when it came down to saying goodbye... well obviously it was just too difficult.

A daughter of John Hunt, along with a Dairy Queen employee, and their husbands will now run the business.

The family says there are a few more details to be worked out, but they wanted to shared with Dairy Queen customers that they'll definitely still be around in 2024.

There's still plenty of time to get to DQ this season too! The Walker Ave. Dairy Queen is staying open until October.

For updates, follow the Walker St. Dairy Queen on Facebook.