Where is it? It’s here!

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There was a mini-blizzard of responses to this week’s Fat City “Where Is It?” question. Where is this particular Dairy Queen? Only commentor jchgh shrewdly chose the correct location on Independence Avenue.

This venerable Dairy Queen, which has been at 2635 Independence Avenue for over a half century, is reportedly the oldest DQ in town. (The company dates back to August 1938 ). Well, let’s put it like this, it’s the oldest Dairy Queen still standing. This location opened to the public on July 4, 1952 and at that time, it was the fifth DQ to be built in Kansas City. Over the last 57 years, the original first four Dairy Queens were razed, so that makes this building the official oldest.

You know this is an old Dairy Queen by the products still featured on the roofline sign: the company hasn’t called its slushie beverages “Mr. Misty” in several years. The drink is now an Artic Rush.

This Dairy Queen has been owned by husband-and-wife team John McMurray and Esther Saladino McMurray since 1980; Esther started working here as an employee in 1964 and bought the business from the original owners 16 years later. She’s a legend among fans of this DQ (which sells only frosty treats and hot dogs — no brazier burgers) for her distinctive towering bouffant, which has a slight resemblence to a dipped cone. Actor Ron Megee, who lives right around the corner, is in awe of Mrs. McMurray’s coiffure and her fare. “It’s the best Peanut Butter Parfait in town,” he says.

This Dairy Queen is usually closed during most of January and February when there’s less interest in chilly treats, but once the temperature starts hovering over 45 degrees, the McMurrays open for business again.