The lowest temperature ever recorded in Key West was 41 degrees and that occurred twice. I can avow with certainty the only place in Key West where you can get a BLIZZARD is the Dairy Queen. This little building is not stuck in time. It is stuck in Paradise.
The listing Realtor describes 1207 United Street, Key West this way:
"Established in 1950, the Key West Dairy Queen has become a staple ice cream and treats destination on the island for decades. Price includes the business and real estate strategically located near the new Key West City Hall and right around the corner from the busy White Street corridor. Property is located in a residential zoning and is being operated as a legal non-conforming use. A prospective Buyer has the option to purchase the entire package as a business with real estate or redevelop the property. Do not disturb the business or employees of the ongoing operation."
I'll bet a lot of locals think that the only Dairy
Queen in Key West is the one above which was just listed for sale. Andy
they would be wrong. There were two in the 1960s. The other DQ was
located at 2120 North Roosevelt Boulevard. It later became Burger King
and is now Popeye's. I wrote about that location in a recent blog. North
Roosevelt is a tough street for fast food stores. Half the traffic is
speeding by and can't stop in time to turn. Think about that. Maybe that
is why three notable fast food franchises have not been successful
there.
The one and only Key West DQ is located on United Street one of the slowest thru streets in Mid Town. That is because of the two schools located two blocks to the east. Speeders in school zones get hammered in Key West (in court not bars). Moms can take the kids for an after school treat. Beach goers can grab a before or after beach Blizzard or burger. Employees at the National Weather Service or city hall can buy an inexpensive lunch.by walking less than a block from work. On any given night you will see generations of Conchs standing in line to a banana split, a sundae, chocolate curly cone. It is not the same at a McDonalds or Burger King. It never has been. There is something magic about a Dairy Queen. In a town with a hundred or more bars for adults, this and the baseball fields where kids come first.
The above photo also from the early 1960s shows the Dairy Queen facing opposite the old Navy trailer park. I have lived in Key West now for over a quarter century and have watched so much of this area change. I remember when-the trailers were moved out and replaced by the National Weather Service building. The old Key West High School across White Street underwent a multi-million dollar renovation-is now our city hall. The former pizza joint on the corner is now an office building. Dozens of homes in the immediate area have undergone their own renovations. What was once stagnant neighborhood is now a vibrant of the community.
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| Key West City Hall |
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| National Weather Service Key West, Florida |
1207 United Street is 8,110 Sq Ft (92' Wide X 88' Deep) and zoned HMDR. CLICK HERE to view the zoning regulations.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 1207 United Street, Key West, offered for sale at $1,300,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to help start the process to evaluate this property for you create blizzards in paradise. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West
5 comments:
Great business except for killer yearly franchise fee….
The listing agent said the buyer may continue the business or develop the property according to current zoning. That is why I added a link to see zoning uses
Gary
My understanding is that this franchise in Key West is for ice cream only making it more valuable then the current standard DQ franchise which must include their fast food. The DQ money is in their ice cream and that is why the remaining DQ ice cream only franchises are coveted. I learned this several years ago from an acquantance who owned a few DQ franchises in the midwest. Of course it is possible that I totally misunderstood. But I do believe it is correct. It would be great if KW could hold on to this gem.
This location does not serve food - just the soft ice cream substance. I thought is was a historical structure and could not be utilized for anything other than as a Dairy Queen?
Dear Anon, Commercial buildings are not treated the same as residential properties. I have never seen this building as having been designated a an contributing structure. There may be a different kind of use that would fall in to the zoning or a buyer may try to get a variance that is in keeping with the other nearby limited commercial businesses.
I doubt anybody ever expects it to always be a Dairy Queen. Wouldn't be bad if it were.
Gary
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