Since 1955, the original Dairy Treet location on Laurent and Crestwood has been open seven days a week. But on July 1, the restaurant closed for a much-needed remodel and, since then, the parking lot has been empty and the windows boarded up.

ƵDonƵt be scared. We are not going to tear down the building and weƵre not closing the location,Ƶ Corbin Lauger, one of Dairy TreetƵs partners, said.

The goal of the remodel is to create a better environment for employees and enhance customer experience. To do that, the 70-year-old building will need a major gut and renovation.

The remodel will include an update to the electrical and A/C systems and will improve the ventilation, the lighting and the plumbing within the restaurant. Lauger assures customers the restaurant will still have that classic drive-in look.

ƵItƵll look the same on the outside and function just the same. WeƵll keep the same old operation with an interior update,Ƶ Lauger said.

Despite being closed for remodeling since this summer, renovations have been delayed due to the sweltering summer temperatures. Lauger said they wanted to wait until summer had passed before getting started due to air conditioning issues; it would have been too hot for workers inside the building.

ƵWeƵre ready to get started,Ƶ Lauger said.

While this renovation is something that sorely, Lauger has been at the drawing board, working on the best way to bring the restaurant up to date and keep that nostalgic feeling.

ƵOur plan is to design and use the building as is and keep it just as it is, but we have no existing plans and we have no idea what we will be dealing with once we get started,Ƶ Lauger said.

No drive-thru will be added to this location, but one big overhaul for the restaurant will be the bathrooms. Lauger is working to have a new bathroom that is more accessible for the public.

And to answer the question thatƵs on everyoneƵs mind, yes, the seasoned grill will still be there when the restaurant reopens. Rest assured, the infamous grill will not be going anywhere.

At this point, Lauger canƵt say for certain when the Dairy Treet on Laurent St. will reopen, only that it will reopen one day in the future. For now, customers can enjoy their jumbo cheeseburgers and classic malts at the newer Dairy Treet on John Stockbauer. While the grill might be less seasoned at the newer location, thereƵs still a new sherbet flavor of the week and classic sock-hop music.

In this column called Ask Madison, Madison O’Hara, a Victoria native and Advocate reporter, answers questions readers have about anything and everything to do with the Crossroads. Email your question to Madison at askmadison@vicad.com or call her at 361-580-6558.

Madison can be reached by email at mohara@vicad.com.

Tags

Madison works at the Victoria Advocate as a multi-media journalist. She was born and raised here in Victoria.