Dairy Queen work begins

By Jennifer Thomas

Dairy Queen fans, your treats are a few months away — if the weather cooperates.

I’m sure this news will please many of you, as construction — starting with site clearing including tree and vegetation removal — is slated to begin Monday on the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, which will be located at 310 W. Aaron Drive between Pletcher’s Beer Distributor and Eckerd Drug.

Owner Don Boller was all smiles Wednesday during a groundbreaking ceremony, which saw multiple shovels of dirt thrown to kick off the project — prompting one participant to quip “If we keep digging we’ll be done here today.” It’s been months in the making after an initial location along North Atherton Street in Patton Township fell through. Boller closed his original DQ at 2009 N. Atherton St. last August after 42 years and took an offer he said he couldn’t refuse. Fulton Bank is building on the site.

Ferguson Township Supervisor Dick Mascolo said that he was pleased to be adding DQ to the township’s business roster. “It’s good for the township,” he said. “I’m sure the residents will be happy to see it again.” The 3,200-square-foot building will sit on a 1.1-acre lot facing Aaron Drive. It will be accessible from both Martin Street and Aaron Drive.

And it will be visible from North Atherton Street, said Mike Sola, who, along with two partners, will take over ownership from Boller after it opens.

“It’s been a long process, but we’re finally here,” he said. “We’re ready to get DQ back in State College.” Sola said he owns Dairy Queen locations in Milroy and Lewistown.

He said a fall opening shouldn’t impact business much because the restaurant will serve food and ice cream treats. And what about Boller, who’s dedicated 42 years to the ice cream franchise?

“I want to move on to something else in life,” Boller said.

Just what is still to be determined. I’ll keep you updated.

Three buildings into one

Best Event Rentals has a new home.

After extensive renovations, the rental shop made the move to 118 N. Sparks St. on June 15.

“We just need to make sure everyone knows we’re here,” said company President Susy Glenn.

The move consolidates the business into one building, instead of the three it had been using, she said.

“The inventory is much more accessible for the client to touch, to see, to feel,” Glenn said, adding it’s now possible to put together demo tables with different types of linens and chairs.

The first floor has been dedicated as a showroom, with a number of displays, and corporate offices.

A consultation room also was added during the renovations, which offers a dedicated space to map out details of special occasions via computer.

A computer-assisted design program makes it possible to start with the tent and plan out all the details from table positions to linen colors, Glenn said.

“Then there’s no surprises on the wedding day,” she said. The two upper floors are being used for warehouse space for tents, tables and chairs.

The company also has a full-service location in Altoona.

The State College store can be reached at 238-3037 or at www.bestevent.com.

Redbox at Wegmans

How about a movie with those groceries?

If you’re shopping at Wegmans, that’s now a possibility as the grocery chain has reached an agreement with redbox, which has placed a fully automated DVD rental kiosk in the store at 345 Colonnade Blvd.

It is located in the vestibule area where the carts are located, an employee said, adding it seems to be popular.

The company’s Web site showed more than 100 titles available at the Wegmans on Wednesday, including several new releases. Each redbox kiosk holds more than 500 DVDs, which can be selected using a touch-screen menu.

Movies cost $1 a night plus tax and can be kept as long as the viewer likes. Returns can be made at any redbox nationwide. For guaranteed access to new releases, customers can visit www.redbox.com to choose their title online and pick it up immediately at the redbox site of their choice.

Jennifer Thomas can be reached at 231-4638. Read her “Bits of Business” Blog at www.centredaily.com.