Controversy Rises Over Dq Opening In Downtown Stillwater

The community known for its historic downtown and quaint antique shops approved a Dairy Queen on Main Street and its upset some shop owners and residents who said it will detract from the charm of Stillwater.

"It's going to effect my business in a negative way," said business owner Shane Nelson.

He owns an ice cream shop on Main Street and is opposed to the franchise competition.

The Stillwater city council gave its approval for the franchise to open downtown.

"I'm really scared that we're going to end up with McDonald's and other stuff of that nature downtown and start to lose the lure of downtown," Nelson explained.

The City said they've received complaints about the opening of a Dairy Queen, but the plans are already in motion.

"There are some fairly specific interstate commerce laws that don't allow you to specifically prohibit chain stores or franchise stores," said Community Development Direction Bill Turnblad.

Turnblad said franchises can open downtown�in fact, a Starbucks is already there. But he explained the storefront must fit into the downtown landscape.

"If you can find a way to make that franchise work in an existing building and not use the franchise architecture, then we're ok with that," Turnblad said.

For now Dairy Queen has turned into the king of controversy on Main Street.

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