Are you ready for a Blizzard?  No, not that kind.  I’m talking about the Blizzard Treats at Mike’s DQ Grill and Chill at 2432 Niagara Street.  They were the recipients of the April, Niagara Beautification Commission Spotlight Award and I went for the presentation to Michael Palmeri and his son, Michael Palmeri, Jr.

 

I learned there has been a Dairy Queen at this Niagara Street location since 1953.  Former owners only sold the frozen treats at that time. His parents, Stephen and Mary Ann Ventry, bought the franchise in 1969 when it was still a walk up window and he added hot dogs and hamburgers in 1971.  Mike literally grew up here and as a teen, he started learning the business from the ground up.  Of course, learning means doing, so he was involved in every part from the clean up and grilling until finally graduating to the cash register.  His dad also taught him about inventory, purchasing, and marketing.

 

In 1984, he was ready to roll and he and his wife Colleen took over the business. His Dad happily retired and has since passed away.  Mike trained his son just as he was taught and now they alternate days and hours operating the business and supervising the staff.  Colleen decorates the cakes and opens, and supervises their second location at 84 Niagara Street in Tonawanda.  Between the two locations, they have a staff of thirty-five young people between the ages of sixteen and thirty. 

 

Mike and Colleen brought Dad’s dream to fruition and opened a dining room in 1985, added the drive-through in 1996 and bought the franchise for the Tonawanda location in 1998.  They did not stop there as they did a complete remodel at the Niagara Falls location in 2007 with a new façade, all new furnishings and a larger menu selection.  Mike and his son did most of the work themselves.

 

He told me a little about business franchises and the relationship between owner and parent company.  Stephen passed the original franchise he owned to Mike in 1984 and Mike and Colleen purchased another at the time of the Tonawanda opening.  It is an outright purchase and for additional annual fees, they receive support from the parent company, Dairy Queen, in the way of marketing, product testing and other assistance.  There is nothing sold here that has not been tested on a national level for quality control and pricing. New products are always in the planning stage to offer a wide variety to customers. 

 

This is where the Blizzards come in.  There are ten varieties sold as individual servings and specialty cakes. The DQ Blizzard Cake is “perfect for any occasion; with a layer of your favorite Blizzard flavored treat (think Cookie Dough or Chocolate Extreme for example), vanilla or chocolate soft serve, our irresistible centers and decadent decorations”.   You don’t even have to wait for a special occasion.  They also do regular DQ cakes for any occasion you can think of.   

 

The regular local menu is HUGE with sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, salads, sides, all kinds of beverages and lots of frozen treats as well as the Blizzards.   I cannot list everything here; you will just have to stop in. They are open at 10:00 am to 10:00 pm inside and drive-thru to 11:00pm. After Memorial Day the drive – thru stays open until midnight.

 

The Tonawanda franchise also sells the Orange Julius and Mike is looking to bring it to Niagara Falls sometime this fall.  My sister and I used to purchase this slushy or smoothie drink at shopping malls and I did not know that Dairy Queen owned that brand. They recently closed the mall operations and are bringing it to their DQ franchises gradually.

 

Mike and Colleen have five children; Christina is in the U.S. Air Force, Jennifer in Baghdad with the U.S. Army and Vincent in Las Vegas with the U. S. Army Reserves.  Michelle works with the Bank of America and Michael Jr. is part of the Dairy Queen. 

 

They belong to the Niagara Street Business Association and Mike is a member of the Board of Directors.  They take part in all the organization’s activities including the International Festival and the ongoing work at Gill Creek Park. Mike says he is pleased with the work of the Business Association and attributes his safe neighborhood to their efforts working with the business owners.  Area kids are friendly and respectful of his business.  There is no loitering and no graffiti and everyone gets along.  Mike feels is Dad would be proud of his accomplishments and knows for sure he is watching closely.

 

Niagara Beautification Commission Chair Marge Gillies and Treasurer Betsy Diachun were part of the presentation along with Spotlight Award Committee members, Mary Norton and Lana DeBacco.  Niagara Street Business Association coordinators Ron Anderluh and Nick D’Agostino stopped in to be a part of the festivities and we all stayed for lunch.  No blizzards today – too cold – but pretty soon. 

 

A final word, when I picked up my mail that day, I received a coupon book for treats at Dairy Queen. You work fast Mike. Thanks.