LYNN — A new fast food chain restaurant and grocery store have come to the city, with their doors opening soon to residents.
It’s been around 30 years since Lynn has had a Dairy Queen, which was closed in the early 1990s to be replaced with a Walgreens in 1994 that still stands today at 290 Broadway.
Dairy Queen’s Grill & Chill location at 414 Broadway will open its doors next week on July 20, inviting residents to grab ice cream and hot food like their chili dogs and burgers.
For years, the closest Dairy Queen was in Beverly, about 12 miles away, offering only frozen treats like their signature blizzards.
This is the first time the new owners of the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, the Patel family, will be getting into the food or restaurant business, and they hope to expand Dairy Queen into including more options than in the past.
One thing the new owners shared is an interest in adding more customized cakes and baked goods to their menus to differentiate themselves from other fast food chains in the area, Co-owner Chintan Patel said.
“I think the menu will be very exciting for them,” Co-owner Meet Patel said. “We have ice cream, cakes, food, and a lot of options for kids.”
Chintan Patel said, “We don’t want to be doing just what everybody does.”
Co-owner Jinesa Patel added that this location will be more than just a fast food restaurant; it’ll operate more as a fast-casual dining restaurant where the food is ordered at the table with a waiter.
“The thing is: It’s kind of not a fast food restaurant because we bring your food to you,” Jinesa Patel said.
The Patel family shared that many of their new employees live within walking distance to the location, making it even more community centered.
“We give them all, the younger people, the opportunity to work with us, and that’s the main part,” Chintan Patel said. “Why not do something to be part of the community.”
Ward 1 Councilor Dr. Pete Meaney shared his excitement to bring more sweet-treat options to Lynn for residents to enjoy.
“I’m looking forward to the return of a Dairy Queen to Wyoma Square. It will be a fantastic addition to the neighborhood, and we’ve definitely needed a good ice cream shop,” Meaney said. “Those of us old enough to remember will be especially glad to see it back.”
Dairy Queen is not the only new opening coming to Lynn. The big-chain Aldi supermarket will open its doors to residents on Aug. 6, taking the place of the former Big Lots building on Boston Street.
The Regional Vice President of Aldi, Chris Daniels, shared his eagerness to open a new location in the city: “We’re thrilled to be making progress on our first store in Lynn, which will be located at 126 Boston St., anticipated to open this summer.”
This addition will be the fourth big-store supermarket in the area, including Market Basket on Federal Street, Stop & Shop on Washington Street, and Price Rite Marketplace on the Lynnway.
Meaney added that the new Aldi location is a welcome addition to Ward 1 and that it will aid in building a stronger local economy by increasing jobs for Lynn residents.
Council President Coco Alinsug shared his enthusiasm for both soon-to-be openings, and what it means for the Commonwealth.
“I’m excited to welcome Dairy Queen Grill & Chill and Aldi to Lynn,” Alinsug said. “Every new business that chooses to invest in our city brings new jobs, expands options for residents, and strengthens our local economy. It’s encouraging to see continued investment along the Broadway corridor, and I hope these openings are just the beginning of even more growth and opportunity for our community. I wish both businesses great success and look forward to seeing them become part of the fabric of Lynn.”
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson added to Alinsug and Meaney’s points that the two new businesses will strengthen the city’s economy and bring more tasty options for residents to choose.
“Both of these new businesses will give our residents more options as customers and create jobs while representing new positive investment in the City,” Nicholson said. “We are excited to be welcoming them.”
