OUTLOOK - It was a cool morning on Saturday, October 21 as the Outlook Dairy Queen restaurant held an official ceremony to mark the fast food spot's grand opening.
The existence of the popular chain in the riverside community came after a decision from the Riverbend Co-op, who oversaw and continues to oversee all factors of the business.
A long lineup of people were seen waiting just outside the doors, with many of them waiting to take advantage of the promotions being advertised by DQ.
A few words were shared by those that were present, including Riverbend controller Justin Turton, introducing Outlook mayor Maureen Weiterman, who noted that the addition of such an establishment pointed to the growth of the community business sector.
"New business in Outlook means that we're growing, and we're so appreciative of the efforts and the vision that the board of Riverbend Co-op had in seeing the need for DQ Grill and Chill," she said. "We thank Greg (Sarvis) for his work in making this come to fruition, and we are so thrilled that we are able to employ a whole bunch of really important people in our community; young, old, you name it. Thank you Riverbend, for this very beautiful addition to our town."
Speaking on behalf of the board of directors was Susan Kasper, Riverbend Co-op President, who said that adding such a business in the community will help to diversify the Co-op system.
"We can all be proud to have our share of ownership in this exciting new venture," she said. "When we set out on this path, we could not envision just how much effort was involved for Greg and his management team to make this dream into reality. This new line of business for Riverbend will diversify our Co-op, helping us to stay strong so that we continue to provide services in the smaller communities where we live."
Last to speak with Riverbend GM Greg Sarvis, who noted that what everyone was bearing witness to was a monumental occasion for the town of Outlook.
"Today marks a momentous occasion as we gather here to celebrate the grand opening of Outlook Dairy Queen," he said. "This is a dream that has been years in the making and is a tangible reality now, and it's truly a testament of the power of collaboration, hard work, and unwavering dedication. The Dairy Queen stands proud, backed by the members of Riverbend Co-op, and I really want you to let that set in for a second. This is a community-owned business. We're not just about cones and sundaes, we've seeded 40 job opportunities and carved pathways for leadership right here. Furthermore, this establishment is a beacon inviting more people to experience and enrich our vibrant community. Our journey to this day saw contributions from countless individuals, but I must express profound gratitude to our board of directors. When we had this wild idea to build a Dairy Queen, and we're kind of on the edge of town, so it's kind of like a 'Field of Dreams, Build It and They Will Come' thing, their faith fueled this project, addressing a long-felt need for diverse dining options in the community. The team has done so great, and we're so thrilled to see the fan feedback we're getting on our exceptionally friendly service. We did have a small hunch that DQ would be successful here in Outlook, but the support we've received is fantastic. Let's embark on this delicious journey together!"
Joining Greg, Susan and Maureen in cutting the ceremonial ribbon were former Riverbend President Garth Weiterman, who was instrumental in making the decision to go with establishing a Dairy Queen restaurant in Outlook; Sharon Bruce, town councillor and executive with the Outlook & District Chamber of Commerce; assistant manager Emily Vandenberg; manager Nadine Ivanco; and Riverbend's consumer division manager, Nathan Parsons.
