Gazette photo by Steve Morris Greg Gartner describes the construction process of transforming the former St. Croix Drug building into a Dairy Queen on Monday afternoon. Gartner, who owns the building and is co-owner of the Dairy Queen franchise with Paul Williquett, said he hopes to have the restaurant open around January.

Contractors have begun work on transforming the more than 130-year-old building on one of downtown Stillwater's busiest intersections into a 21st century restaurant that will be home to a Dairy Queen franchise come next year.

Greg Gartner, owner of the building and co-owner of the franchise with Paul Williquett, closed on the deal to purchase the building around the middle of August and said he hopes to have the restaurant open on the corner of Chestnut and Main streets sometime around January.

"Right around prime ice cream time," he said, jokingly.

In a phone interview, Gartner said once open, the Dairy Queen will have a 1950s-type atmosphere.

"Everything on the exterior will be retro," he said, adding there are plans to place a 1950s Dairy Queen sign on the outside.

Plans also call for the Dairy Queen to have a walk-up window and inside dinning. Gartner intends to restore the building back to its pre-20th century look, including having the original limestone walls uncovered.

"We are gutting the building. We are taking everything out, down to the studs," he said.

Although an 8-foot-tall plywood barricade block the view of construction from the street, it's a different story inside, as the building has been turned upside down. A new heating and cooling system is being installed, the carpet removed and the floors bleached and pressure washed are among the projects currently underway.

"We want to do the project right," Gartner said.

Besides completing the project in the "right" fashion, Gartner must also work in accord with the city of Stillwater.

Gartner has cleared nearly all of the hurdles with the Stillwater Planning Commission, and he is scheduled to present his "exterior and signing package," at the body's Oct. 6 meeting.

"We have the pitch close to being ready," he said.

Gartner said he has a solid understanding of all the Heritage Preservation Commission's standards, having previously worked with the group that regulates construction in the city's historic district on other projects.

Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki said this morning he is happy the Dairy Queen is moving forward and that downtown Stillwater has one less vacant building.

"I am happy ... I wish them the best of luck," he said.

Stillwater Community Development Director Bill Turnblad was out of the office and could not be reached for comment on this story.

Old sign

The iconic St. Croix Drug sign that has watched over the corner of Chestnut and Main streets for many years has been taken down, placed in a crate and is now in storage.

Gartner said he isn't sure what he plans to do with the sign, but noted he likely will sell it.

He has already received offers to purchase the sign, but would not disclose the amount of the offers.