The former New Castle Road Dairy Queen will reopen as Edwards Ice Cream.

A 64-year-old Butler landmark will receive new life after its brief closure.

Jim Edwards, owner of the former New Castle Road Dairy Queen that closed in May, said he plans to reopen the store soon as Edwards Ice Cream.

“Our tentative date is right after the Fourth of July,” Edwards said.

After his franchise was revoked, Edwards said his lawyer, John Bench of Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham, helped him reach an agreement with Dairy Queen to reopen the shop.

He said the community's support also helped both sides realize the importance of the shop.

“I don't know how else to describe the good attention we've gotten from this,” Edwards said. “The outpouring of support has been amazing.”

The shop has been used to sell ice cream for 64 years, according to Edwards, who has owned the shop at 169 New Castle Road for the last 51 years.

But, as Dairy Queen removes its mark, its products will follow.

Edwards said he has already lined up all facets of the business, including his new product line. He said he plans to use United Dairy of Pittsburgh and Marburger Dairy of Evans City in tandem to replace the outgoing franchise product.

“This year we'll just have soft serve, but next year we'll open up with soft serve and hard ice cream with a variety of flavors,” Edwards said.

Edwards said the only thing the store still needs is help. The ice cream stand has been a source of seasonal work for Butler High School and college students for many years.

Edwards said the employees he had going into the season have already found new jobs. He said he doesn't blame them for moving forward, and has hired two students for the reopening, but he needs at least three more employees.

“Then, we're going to get in here and hit it,” Edwards said.

Edwards said missing the first part of the season hurts, especially in the ice cream business, but the support he's seen from the community gives him confidence. He said he also wants to show his appreciation with a promotion when the shop reopens.

“I want to thank all the people for their support,” he said. “We're going to open with a bang as a thank you.”

Edwards said the shop's official opening date will be announced through an upcoming advertisement in the Butler Eagle.

“We're going to give you another 50 years of amazing ice cream service,” Edwards said.