Market Street in Boardman was the site of a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning celebrating a brand-new modernized Dairy Queen Grill & Chill location.

The site plan for the upcoming location was unanimously approved by Boardman's planning commission in May. It will feature a two-lane drive thru, which the original location lacks.

In addition, the current location on Market Street will relocate. It will remain on Market Street, but will have a new home across from Akron Children's Hospital's Boardman location, three blocks south from the original location.

"It's a great location because we are not leaving the community that has grown to love the nostalgia of the current location. It's still really close to the current store," said Franchise Co-Owner, Chrissy Smith.

Ray and Chrissy Smith currently own a total of five Dairy Queen locations including Boardman, Cornersburg, Austintown, Canfield and Columbiana. They also purchased the former Perkins restaurant in Canfield in May of 2020.

The current location was constructed in 1955. Plans call for a new 3,231 square foot facility. The Smiths hope to have the new location open by fall 2022.

Permits to begin work on the new location were issued on Monday, Dec. 20.