After months of speculation on what would become of the old Dairy Queen site on north Main Avenue in Durango, it now appears the former eatery will be a Starbucks.
According to the city of Durango’s Community Development Projects Update study session agenda for December, city staff members received a plan and design review for a new Starbucks at 2817 Main Ave.
In June, Dairy Queen, which had been at that site for almost 40 years, served its last addictive soft-serve treats after a new owner bought the property and decided to rebuild.
In the wake of Dairy Queen’s closing, about 1,000 readers responded to a Durango Herald survey, which asked what residents would like to see take the place of the nostalgic restaurant.
Though responses greatly varied, Chick-fil-A took 21 percent of the vote, with others craving an In-N-Out Burger, Whataburger and Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
Others, too, called for more local, healthful options.
Despite the fact the new owner – Albuquerque-based Skarsgard Development LLC – is developing various Chick-fil-A, Five Guys and Del Tacos in the region, it seems the developer is going for a known Durango favorite.
Calls to Skarsgard Development were not returned.
In Durango, there are four Starbucks locations: two in City Markets, one in Albertsons and one standalone shop downtown on the 500 block of Main Avenue.
Tim Walsworth, executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District, said the new Starbucks location will offer the additional convenience of a drive-thru, a service not found at any of the chain’s other locations.
“I guess no one got exactly what they wanted,” Walsworth said. “But undoubtedly that will be hugely popular just because of the brand recognition of that company. I’ll personally miss Dairy Queen, my family loved it. But Starbucks is probably going to be a popular site on north Main.”
It’s unclear when the new Starbucks will open. The building is undergoing deconstruction work, presumably to be renovated in the new year, which requires the city’s approval.
And although the redevelopment of the site at 28th Street and Main Avenue brings no new cuisine to Durango, it does represent an ongoing resurgence of the north Main Avenue business corridor, Walsworth said.
The new Purgatory retail store at 2615 Main Ave. is up and running, and is set to be the company’s headquarters.
And the old 7-2-11 convenience store will be redeveloped to house a State Farm insurance agency office, as well as provide room for smaller offices.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
