Boardman DQ owners retiring

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Dean and Mary K. Paidas are no longer in the business of making the perfect curl atop ice-cream cones and flipping Blizzards.

The married owners of the Boardman Dairy Queen, at 6120 Market St., are retiring today.

“After 40 years, we are getting up there in the age, and we just decided to just enjoy the summertime,” Dean said.

The pair haven’t ever really been able to enjoy the summer because of their ice-cream business.

With his parent’s help, Dean bought the business in his early 20s.

“It’s been good,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work.”

Dean and Mary plan to stop watching the weather so much and to take vacations in their retirement.

“It’s gonna be bittersweet,” Dean said. “The loyal customers end up being a part of your family. I am going to miss that part.”

When Dean and Mary announced their retirement decision on Facebook, customers and former employees expressed their sadness.

“I was just surprised,” Dean said. “I was totally blown away and emotional about how many people responded.”

Ray and Chrissy Smith, who own three other Dairy Queen locations, purchased the Boardman Dairy Queen site.