BEMIDJI — Dairy Queens in rural Minnesota are usually associated with warmer months.
Under new ownership, Bemidji's lakeside summertime staple opened its doors earlier this month.
Andrew Peralta from Thief River Falls purchased the local Dairy Queen franchise from Mike Magnan, whose family previously ran the operation for 40 years, according to an article in the Bemidji Pioneer.
Last year, the Lakeside Dairy Queen didn't open until April 11.
On Valentine's Day, area residents visited the location to purchase love-themed goodies. Terry Hoie of Bagley was one of those patrons, purchasing a heart-shaped cake for his sweetheart on their 17th Valentine's Day.
His advice for young lovers?
"It's the ice cream!"
1 of
— Terry Hoi holds a heard-shaped ice cream cake that he ordered for Valentine's Day at the Dairy Queen in Bemidji.jpg
Terry Hoie holds a heart-shaped ice cream cake he ordered with his sweetheart for their 17th Valentine's Day at the Lakeside Dairy Queen in Bemidji on Feb. 14, 2024. His advice for young lovers: "It's the ice cream!"
Lorie Shaull / Contributed
2 of
— The Dairy Queen manager serves a vanilla cone with spinkles in Bemidji.jpg
The Dairy Queen general/district manager Cassandra Ariano serves a vanilla cone with sprinkles at the Lakeside Dairy Queen in Bemidji on Feb. 14, 2024. Ariano said they were launching an opening in February to "get a feel for the community."
Lorie Shaull
3 of
— The Dairy Queen manager with a heart-shaped ice cream cake at the lakeside Dairy Queen in Bemidji.jpg
Dairy Queen manager Cassandra Ariano with a heart-shaped ice cream cake at the Lakeside Dairy Queen in Bemidji on Feb. 14, 2024.
Lorie Shaull
4 of
— 02 The lakeside Dairy Queen in Bemidji.jpg
The Lakeside Dairy Queen in Bemidji on Feb. 14, 2024.
Lorie Shaull
More From KAXE
-
Plus: Co-owner of The Pines in Grand Rapids Kyle Lussier was nominated for a James Beard award; the Minnesota DNR will accept comment on adjusting Aitkin County's public waters through Feb. 27; and MnDOT announced more than $76 million in transportation grants. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri | Minnesota ReformerOrganizers say 100 clergy were arrested Jan. 23, 2026, at a morning protest at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. -
Contributed/University of Minnesota Press photosIn "What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To," Lucia reflects on her life in radio, surviving stalking and why she chose to tell her story. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe first of two Native American Heritage Nights Jan. 20, 2026, included drumming, dancing and an Ojibwe-language broadcast. The second is Jan. 30 against Grand Rapids.
