Freeburg business owner shares info on restaurant’s rebuild, what to expect
A Dairy Queen Grill & Chill location damaged by fire earlier this year will return.
Owner Chad Sanders said in a phone interview he “always knew we were going to reopen” the Freeburg restaurant.
Now that the insurance process is complete, he was able to make a decision about the next steps.
Initially Sanders thought they might be able to at least save two of the structure’s walls, but all that will remain of the damaged building is the slab. Demolition is currently underway, and the restaurant will be rebuilt with some improvements.
“We’ll have a new layout with the newest equipment,” Sanders said.
Changes to the layout will include the reconfiguration of the lobby and all new décor, he said. The atrium will be removed to make room for an outdoor patio seating area. The production area will be rearranged to be out-of-sight and to lessen kitchen noise for the public, providing a better atmosphere for dining.
“We do our best to give [customers] a good experience,” he said.
A time frame for the construction of the restaurant is still in the works, but Sanders has his fingers crossed for a late September reopening.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, located at 804 N. State St. in Freeburg, was severely damaged by an overnight fire on March 31. The cause of the fire is still listed as “undetermined,” according to Sanders, and originated in the kitchen/storage area.
The family-owned restaurant opened in July 1988 and was operated by Sanders’ parents until their retirement in 2001, when Sanders took ownership. The restaurant’s dining area was remodeled in 2011, and the exterior received a makeover in 2014.
