Iconic Sanibel Dairy Queen goes up for sale. What to know about this local treasure for treats

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
·3 min read

An iconic piece of Sanibel's history is getting new owners in the near future.

The Dairy Queen along Periwinkle Way is on the market for millions just eight months after Hurricane Ian nearly totaled the barrier island.

According to reports, the beloved eatery saw a lot of damage during Ian like most of the island, having remained closed since September. As the Burns Family Team real estate agents on the listing said, this sale will be an opportunity to revitalize a well-recognized and once-thriving business in the community.

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Here's what we know about the listing for the beloved island eatery as it passes ownership:

How much is the Sanibel Dairy Queen being sold for?

The Sanibel Dairy Queen is for sale for $2 million by the Burns Family Team.

What are some of the features of the sale?

Referring to the deal as a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity to own Sanibel's iconic Dairy Queen', agents write the deal includes the restaurant and the two surrounding properties.

The Sanibel Dairy Queen $2 million sell also includes two other properties.
The Sanibel Dairy Queen $2 million sell also includes two other properties.

Located near a sought-after location with high visibility and great traffic count, the sale totals one acre of land and approximately 200 feet of highly desirable Periwinkle frontage.

Lastly, agents discuss how recognizable this property is with locals and tourists alike, adding that it has been visited by generations of people. Despite the buildings sustaining hurricane damage, it would an opportunity to rebuild a once-thriving and iconic island business.

Will it still be a Dairy Queen?

According to the listing, the property includes the grandfathered franchise agreement at a 'very desirable split, a duplex and land behind the restaurant, and a third vacant piece of land adjacent to the west.'

The listing mentioned that everyone recognizes the Sanibel Dairy Queen and it is waiting for a new owner and operator.

The Sanibel Dairy Queen currently on the market for $2 million after sustaining hurricane damage from Ian.
The Sanibel Dairy Queen currently on the market for $2 million after sustaining hurricane damage from Ian.

What happened to the former owners?

One of the members of the owner's family, Ashley Meyers Street, shared a Facebook post detailing what the Sanibel community has meant to her family over the years and how it feels to move on.

"My family has owned and operated this iconic Sanibel Dairy Queen for 50 years. Thank you for all the kind and thoughtful comments we’ve read on this page. Three generations have participated, giving blood sweat, and tears to learn what hard work, sacrifice, and success looks like," Street said in a Facebook post. "The Meyers family, like many of you, created lifelong memories at this sweet little red-and-white building. We are so proud of the legacy we had the opportunity to create, which we consider to have been much more than ice cream cones."

"Hurricane Ian was not the ending we would have wanted. Like many who have been devastated by the storm, the close of this chapter comes with great loss and sadness. We pray the new owner of this property will experience the same lifelong attachment to a beautiful island and its wonderful visitors."

When was the Sanibel Dairy Queen first built?

The Sanibel Dairy Queen was first built in 1971.

Was it the oldest Dairy Queen built in Florida?

This Dairy Queen on U.S. 1 in New Smyrna Beach is the oldest in Florida.
This Dairy Queen on U.S. 1 in New Smyrna Beach is the oldest in Florida.

For the oldest Dairy Queen in the sunshine state, that title belongs to the Dairy Queen in New Smyrna Beach. Opened in 1953 by Mary McGuirk, the iconic Dairy Queen in Volusia County has become a tradition for locals and a must-visit for travelers.

What treats does Dairy Queen offer?

The fast-food chain is known for its many different flavors of 'Blizzards' and other sweet concoctions, providing toppings from Oreos and M&M's to Snickers and Reese's.

Frozen in time, the menu at the Sanibel Dairy Queen remains the same as it did right before Hurricane Ian struck in September. It's currently on the market for $2 million after sustaining hurricane damage from Ian.
Frozen in time, the menu at the Sanibel Dairy Queen remains the same as it did right before Hurricane Ian struck in September. It's currently on the market for $2 million after sustaining hurricane damage from Ian.

Beyond sweet treats, it offers regular menu items, such as sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, salads, and chicken tenders.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel's iconic Dairy Queen up for sale. What we know about the deal