After 55 Years, Dairy Queen in Kittery, Maine, is Closed for Good

Open in 1969, the Dairy Queen at the Kittery traffic circle is no more.

Seacoast Online says the fixture in that traffic circle near the divide between Maine and New Hampshire is closed for good. The Dairy Queen wasn't in operation all of 2024, and the decision was made to put the building up for lease.

You're gonna have to go to Wells, Maine, for your Blizzards

No more Blizzards in Kittery, Maine after longtime Dairy Queen franchise owner Larry Salomon decided to permanently close the location he's owned since the 70's. But the last time it was open was in November 2023. Larry is 80 years old and became the owner around 1970. He told Seacoast Online from Florida,

I always enjoyed the business because I enjoyed the people. Over the years in that business, at one point I knew pretty much everyone in that town by face, at least. Quite a few of them became friends. I still miss being there.

What are the plans for the vacant Dairy Queen in Kittery, Maine?

No word on what might move into the high-traffic area of Kittery. The real estate agency says it's up for lease and there are 'several parties interested in it now', but nothing has been filed with the town for plans. There are still 21 Dairy Queens in Maine including, Wells, Kennebunk, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, and Sanford.

My absolute favorite treat from Dairy Queen is the Peanut Buster Parfait. It's not a complete summer until I have at least one, and I've had several at the Kitty location. At 80, owner Larry earned a break from the ice cream business. Good luck to you Larry and thank you for all the memories!