DQ treats—and new jobs—are coming to Trail, B.C.

Watch for a new design of the Dairy Queen Grill and Chill restaurant

by Submitted — August 12, 2021

Formerly the location of the Union Hotel, this site will be the future home of a Dairy Queen restaurant and will bring 45 full- and part-time jobs to the city. — Source: Google street view

The City of Trail has sold the City-owned property at 898 Victoria Street, previously occupied by the Union Hotel, to Edmonton-based BJT Properties for the development of a Dairy Queen Grill and Chill restaurant. The property sale closed on July 30, 2021 with a purchase price of $475,000.

“BJT Properties in conjunction with Dairy Queen Canada is pleased to proceed with the building of a new Dairy Queen Grill and Chill restaurant in Trail, B.C.,” said Jason Foreman of BJT Properties. “The design will be the latest concept of Dairy Queen stores and will be the second of its kind in Canada.”

Negotiations between the City and the buyer began in mid-2020. Considering the property is located along Highway 3B that accommodates approximately 21,000 vehicles daily, Trail City Council made a decision for redevelopment that was suitable for the size and location of the lot.

Architect rendering of Dairy Queen Grill and Chill on 898 Victoria Street, Trail, B.C.

“The new Dairy Queen will complement the other businesses in the area and will help draw through traffic to our downtown area,” said Mayor Lisa Pasin. “The new business will contribute to our existing tax base and we anticipate this being the start of more business investment and development as we ease out of the pandemic.”

BJT Properties is currently in the design phase and hopes to tender the project’s construction by the end of the summer with an anticipated completion date of spring 2022.

“We are encouraged to work with the City to complete the project as the City has a keen interest in economic development in the area,” said Foreman. “This store represents a $2.5-million investment, 20 full-time jobs and 25 part-time jobs for the community. We look forward to being part of the great community of Trail.”

About 898 Victoria Street

The City of Trail purchased the building (Union Hotel) and lot at 898 Victoria Street and the three adjacent properties on Cedar Avenue for a total cost of $125,000. The initial negotiations took place in late 2016 to early 2017 with an official closing date of August 31, 2017. In 2018, the City contracted with Peak Environmental, a full-service environmental consulting firm, to oversee the hazardous material abatement for the Union Hotel. The City then contracted with Dakota Reclamators Ltd. for the demolition of the hotel and the building located at 1144 Cedar Avenue, and remediation of the lots.