Smiles, sweets and a heaping order of thanks went out to the Carson City community Saturday as Dairy Queen celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Dozens of customers lined up and went all-in for games, raffles, prizes, face painting, giveaways and of course the restaurant’s famous array of frozen desserts, burgers and more until 5 p.m. Customers were also able to enjoy 50 percent off select menu items throughout the day’s events.
Saturday was also a family gathering for the restaurant, celebrating a change in ownership from Kathleen and Steve Boeche, who turned the operation over to their son, Christopher Boeche, on Jan. 1.
“We are really proud of him and his family for wanting to take this location over,” she said. The couple are spending their retirement in Las Vegas.
Kathleen Boeche noted that the day Dairy Queen opened 25 years ago on May 19, 2000, it was also cool and windy, just like Saturday’s weather.
“It was identical,” she said. “Windy, lined up out the door and super exciting for us to to open this in the community, because there was a Dairy Queen many years ago before us near the Ormsby House.”
She said Christopher taking the reins as a second generation owner gives the restaurant continued generational growth of its Carson City customer base as grandparents and parents bring their kids to enjoy their delicious treats.
Kathleen also expressed gratitude to their manager, Patricia “Paty” Linares, who has been at the location for 20 years.
“We could not do it without her,” Kathleen said.
Customer Dan Garcia brought his children Bristol and Avery Garcia to the celebration, noting that he and Christoper Boeche have been friends for 32 years and were neighbors as kids growing up. Garcia worked at the Minden Dairy Queen in high school.
“It’s a very free-flowing place. I don’t consider it a fast food restaurant but more of a place to be,” Garcia said, adding his family especially enjoys ice cream cakes whenever there’s a birthday or celebration.
Dairy Queen is located at 3198 US Highway 50 East, Carson City and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
