Rob Hackett and new employee Kayla Stacy are all smiles and ready to make you food or ice cream at the newly re-opened, re-furbished Dairy Queen in downtown Grand Marais. After all of the employees have been hired and trained a grand opening will be held in April.
Saturday, March 3, Harriet Walsh went to the counter of the newly reopened, refurbished Dairy Queen in downtown Grand Marais and ordered a shrimp basket. Her grandson, Robert (Rob) Hackett made her the food and, with a big smile, gave it to her. With that transaction it was official, the Dairy Queen was reopened for the season.
Thank goodness!
It took a long two months to remodel the Dairy Queen. Anyone driving by could see people in the building working all hours of the day and night. And kids, if you have kids (I have kids) would ask sometimes two-three-four-five times a day, “When’s the Dairy Queen going to open? How come it’s taking so long? Is it opening today?” And that was only after the first week of work at the site.
So it was with a great sense of relief for all concerned when the doors were re-opened and ice cream could be swirled, scooped, topped and sold again to eager customers.
As for changes to the building, Hackett said, “We added new countertops, slate walls, put in new booths and added a new furnace.”
A new sign also replaced the old one.
The enterprise has brought Rob home to Cook County, his birthplace. “I have a lot of family up here, my parents, my grandmother, my aunts, uncles and cousins,” said Hackett.
Three years ago Rob began working for Son Group, LLC, in the Duluth area. Rick and Gloria Plaisted own Son Group. The Plaisteds own several other Dairy Queens in the Northland and have been in business for 35 years.
“We have no doubt whatsoever that the Hacketts will operate the store with pride and provide the best customer service in the Dairy Queen industry,” said Gloria.
“I know the Plaisteds won’t like this because they are modest, but they are wonderful people to work for and work with. They couldn’t be nicer or more supportive,” Rob said.
Although he was born in Cook County, Rob’s parents moved to Silver Bay when he was young. When he graduated high school he moved to Grand Portage, lived there for a time, then moved to the Twin Cities where he and his wife Tammy established themselves in good careers.
As for living in the Twin Cities, the couple found it financially rewarding but stressful.
“We both had good jobs and made good money, but when I had a chance to come back north for work, we took it. At first Tammy didn’t understand, but now she’s happy we made the move,” said Rob.
The Hacketts have three children, Billy, who is in 6th grade; Lucas, 20 months; and Charlie, who is 8 months.
“We are truly blessed,” said Rob.
Currently the Dairy Queen is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. “We will adjust our hours as business dictates,” Hackett said.
For now Rob and a couple of trainers from Duluth are working with new staff, teaching them the ins and outs of the business. Tammy comes in and works when she can and will work more later in the season.
“We will hire more people. We want to train them and get them ready for the busy season. If people want to work hard and become part of a team, apply here,” Rob said.
Last, but not least, Rob said the prices have been lowered, and, he added, “We will offer hot, fresh food at reasonable prices and get it to our customers as quickly as we can.”
That and ice cream treats to kids of all ages.
A grand opening is planned sometime in April.
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