END OF AN ERA: Dairy Queen on Merritt Island Shuts Down After Serving the Central Brevard Community for 58 Years

located at 265 N. Courtenay Parkway in the heart of the Island since 1965

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – The owners of Dairy Queen, a family institution and landmark on Merritt Island, announced it would close on Feb. 5 due to “unrealistic demands” from the corporation that owns the fast-food chain.

Merritt Island Dairy Queen owners Mike and Deb Gentile informed their customers and employees staff last month they would be closing the store located at 265 N. Courtenay Parkway in the heart of the Island that opened in 1965.

The Gentiles posted the following notice for their customers and employees:

It comes with a very heavy heart that we tell all of our loyal customers that we will be closing our doors at closing time on February 5.

This Dairy Queen has been in business since 1965, and we personally have owned it since 1994. The last 28 years have had their share of ups and downs, but with each passing year, Dairy Queen Corporate puts more and more unrealistic demands on us, leading us down a path that we would not have chosen.

If we were to go the direction they are forcing us to go, we would lose our vision of a sweet, simple, nostalgic, community ice cream store that many families have celebrated over the last 58 years.

We are grateful that so many of you came here as a child, now you are bringing your children and even grandchildren!

Many of you have been employed here and we are forever grateful for your friendship and service. We truly are more than a landmark, we are part of this community of Merritt Island.

This decision does not come easily, we do not know what the future holds but we do know WHO holds the future.

– Mike and Deb

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