It’s cold outside, but there’s no Blizzard in the forecast for Blount County. The Maryville Dairy Queen has closed after 18 years.
Marion Royse bought the Wendy’s at 1305 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway in 1988 and later converted it into a Dairy Queen. Dec. 20 was DQ’s last day.
His son, Randy Royse, was general manager of the restaurant that carved out a niche with soft-serve ice cream. But Randy decided not to continue with the restaurant, so the property is up for sale or lease.
Marion Royse said he acquired the property and turned it into a Dairy Queen because he remembered the franchise from when he was a boy in Southern Illinois and noticed Blount County did not have a DQ. Read more.