Final touches are being made daily
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The new state-of-the-art Dairy Queen being built in Chester is nearing completion as each day goes by. Owner, Scott Rust of Coulterville has been very busy getting the final stages of the new Chester Dairy Queen Grill & Chill finished.
Ground-breaking took place Monday February 27, 2023 with a projected grand opening sometime in late summer of 2023. The first official day of fall is Saturday September 23, therefore Rust has until Friday September 22 to actually meet his original predicted opening day in late summer.
Rust said, “We have been progressing well the past six months. Everything was really going as scheduled and predicted until strong summer storms struck the Southern Illinois area in late July and early August. That required Ameren Illinois to postpone the moving of two power poles that sit right in the middle of our drive through area.”
“The severe storms caused thousands of people in the area to be out of power due to downed power lines and poles. Ameren linemen and work crews were called from their regularly-scheduled appointments to get power restored to those areas that were without electricity.”
“I fully understand and feel sorry for those without power, however, the absence of getting our power poles moved has created significant delays in us being able to complete our work and meet our original hopes of opening in late August.”
The entire construction phase of the structure has had to have been completed without power in the building. Rust said, “If it wasn’t for the kind and generous help of Bert’s Auto next door, we would have absolutely no power. Marty Bert and his crew have provided electricity to us via an extension cord running from their building to ours. Without their wonderful offer, we would be powerless. Bert’s have been great neighbors.
The basic structure of the new, state-of-the-art Dairy Queen has been basically done and under roof for approximately six or more weeks. Doors and windows are installed and interior walls, air ducts, wiring, air conditioning, heating, mechanical panels, drive through serving windows, and other major interior installations have been completed.
For several weeks, crews have been busy pouring concrete around the building. Driveways are mostly completed. The famous “double drive through” is completed. The outside front patio, which is touted as being one of the biggest outside dining areas in the area, has been poured. Once the fencing is installed around the perimeter of the patio, it will be complete.
Two weeks ago the old Pizza Hut sign and its foundation were removed. The new Dairy Queen sign and sign support has arrive and awaits installation. This week the north side driveways were being poured and the only other driveway area to be completed is the area where the power poles now stand. Once moved, the driveway will be complete.
Air handlers and air conditioning units have been installed on the Dairy Queen roof and other exterior final touches are taking place including the installation of the big, bright, Dairy Queen Spoon door handles.
Monday August 28 two trailer trucks loaded with official Dairy Queen Equipment arrived at the Chester location for beginning the interior portion of the project. Ice cream machines, coolers, heating and cooking tables, shelves, tables, chairs, furniture for the outside patio area, and much, much, more were unloaded to begin the final phases of preparation of the interior of the store.
The Rusts’ own and operate the Coulterville and Sparta Dairy Queens already and have years of experience with the company. Scott Rust said, “This will be a great addition to the Rust Dairy Queen threesome. My wife, Dani, and sons Nolan (5) and Nash (3) are important parts of each of our stores. We operate them all as a family business and look forward to becoming a part of the Community of Chester.”
On Monday, in addition to receiving the two trailer trucks full of Dairy Queen interior equipment, Scott’s father, Mike Rust, was on hand helping to pour the final lanes of concrete driveway on the drive through side of the store next to Bert’s Auto.
Mike Rust is a long-time contractor and has built many huge industrial establishments throughout his professional career as a contractor. Scott Rust said, “My father, Mike has been a huge help in this project from start to finish. With his guidance, advice, supervision and expert skills our Dairy Queen is guaranteed to be a first rate establishment.
From time to time Mike Rust brings in some of his crew members to assist with various aspects of the construction of the building. That was the case Monday when the concrete driveways were being poured.
Dani Rust, Scott’s wife, was also on hand Monday while the concrete work was being completed. Dani said, “I brought my youngest son, Nash today because he loves watching the big equipment being operated and he wanted to see his grandpa and his crew work. He goes to pre-school two days a week and was happy that today’s work did not interfere with his school sessions.”
“Both of our sons really love being part of this entire process. I really hope that our oldest son, Nolan, is able to attend the grand opening when it occurs. Our businesses are really family businesses and we all take part in the various aspects of running them and making our customers feel as if they are treated like family.”
Dani, further stated, “I am a helper. I love to help people. The other day the school was short of help in the kitchen so I went over and worked to help out. I bounce back and forth between the Coulterville and Sparta Dairy Queen Stores to assist when needed and check on things. I am looking forward to including the Chester store once it is operational too!”
Scott and Dani are very community oriented and frequently host fund-raisers for various organizations, clubs, schools, and other entities in the area. They have even already included Chester in the mix and have held at last three fund-risers for Chester causes including St. Mary’s School, the Chester Grade School and High School Music Programs, and this week on Thursday August 31 they will host a fund-raiser for St. John’s Lutheran School in Chester.
More globally, the Rust’s recently raised money for the Tunnel-to-Towers organization and the Children’s Miracle Network which was a project that was held throughout the month of July and raised $10,000.00.
Most store managers have already been hired for the Chester Dairy Queen and the first round of store employees have been interviewed. Dani Rust said, “We will be interviewing more potential employees soon. Scott treats our employees like family. He really cares about people and makes our work environments a great place to work. We are anxious to open and begin serving the community of Chester.”
Chester Dairy Queen Construction site. Jim Beers Photo
Old Pizza Hut sign is removed from the site of the new Chester Dairy Queen construction. Jim Beers Photo
The new door handles at the Chester Dairy Queen will resemble the world famous Dairy Queen red spoons! Jim Beers Photo
This is the lobby area of the new Chester Dairy Queen scheduled to open in late September. Jim Beers Photo
This is a front view of the new Dairy Queen Grill & Chill being built in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
The new drive through at the Chester Dairy Queen is under construction. Jim Beers Photo
The Dairy Queen kitchen is coming along complete with fire suppressant equipment. Jim Beers Photo
Scott and Dani Rust, Dairy Queen owners, inspect a truckload of interior equipment Monday August 28 at the new Chester Dairy Queen. Jim Beers Photo
The new Dairy Queen sign awaits installation at the new Chester Dairy Queen location. Jim Beers
This is the new state-of-the-art Freezer unit that has been installed at the new Chester Dairy Queen. Jim Beers Photo
This new Dairy Queen Rust Family Banner greets onlookers as they come to see the construction site of the new, state of-the-art Dairy Queen in Chester.
Scott and Mike Rust take time out from their busy schedule to pose for a photo in the lobby of the new Chester Dairy Queen. Scott is the son of Mike Rust, and both are Woking feverishly to complete the construction of the new establishment by the end of September. Scott owns and operates the Dairy Queens in both Coulterville and Sparta and Mike, a very experienced contractor, has been lending a major hand in the construction of his son’s Dairy Queen. Jim Beers Photo
Marty Bert, co-owner of Bert’s Auto, along with his brother Tim Bert, and Scott Rust, owner of the new Dairy Queen being built in Chester pose for a photo during the pouring of concrete for the “one-of-a kind” Dairy Quen “DOUBLE DRIVE THROUGH” being built. Bert has been extremely helpful to and cooperative with the Rust Family throughout the building of the Dairy Queen. Jim Beers Photo