Cedar Rapids’ Oldest Dairy Queen Reopens as a New Ice Cream Shop
UPDATE: 6/2/26
It's official! Dottie's Ice Cream & Soda is now open at 3304 1st Ave NE! The new, locally-owned ice cream shop has taken over the old 1st Ave Dairy Queen, which closed in 2025.
Although Dottie's hasn't posted their menu and hours on their socials just yet, they have shared photos posted by happy customers on their Facebook and Instagram Stories. And, a post on the Cedar Rapids Area Foodies Facebook Group from a recent customer shows the shop's full menu. It includes soft serve cones & cups, shakes & malts, dirty sodas & "Dottie Boosts," sundaes, "Swirls" (similar to DQ Blizzards), and take-home treats like Dottie Bars and family-sized ice cream sundae kits! Check out the post with the menu from user Dondj Wilson HERE.
According to the Google listing, Dottie's Ice Cream & Soda is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
ORIGINAL STORY: 3/12/26
A historic Cedar Rapids Dairy Queen is going to undergo some big changes this spring! The now-closed DQ at on 1st Ave NE in front of the Starlite Room will soon become Dottie's Ice Cream & Soda!
What Happened to Dairy Queen?
The Dairy Queen at 3304 1st Ave NE in Cedar Rapids first opened its doors WAY back in 1947, and continued operations until 2025. According to an article from Homegrown Iowan, it has stayed in the same family for generations, starting with Gene and Dorothy Herrington. The second owners were Gene and Dorothy's daughter, Sally Stendel, and her husband Stephen, and then they passed the torch to their daughter, Jill Muckler. Unfortunately, Jill passed away last August, and the historic shop has remained closed since then.
What's Taking DQ's Place?
A new Facebook page has appeared for Dottie's Ice Cream & Soda, and it was revealed this week as the replacement for the old Dairy Queen. The announcement reads:
"A new ice cream shop is coming to a spot many of you know and have loved for years. We can’t wait to start serving up classic ice cream treats again very soon. Follow along to watch the transformation and stay tuned for opening updates!"
For those wondering why the new owners won't be reopening the space as a Dairy Queen, a Facebook comment from the business addressed that issue. It reads:
"... it made more sense for us to go independent due to franchise fees and royalties.
We don't know much about the menu at Dottie's just yet, but we do know that it is expected to open this May! For the latest information, you can follow the business' new Facebook page HERE.
Speaking of ice cream, many of the seasonal shops in the Corridor have already reopened for the year! You can read more about those locations HERE.
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