CAMDEN — The Dairy Queen in Camden is changing its look.

The longtime establishment, at 3014 S. Dupont Highway, is currently being remodeled into a Grill & Chill, which are larger than older-style locations and feature a completely new store design.

It will offer an expanded menu including breakfast, GrillBurgers and grilled sandwiches, as well as limited table service. Customers will still place orders at the counter.

The establishment, founded in 1940, not only offers ice cream on cones but it also sells Blizzards that include various cookie, candy and fruit toppings. Ice cream cakes are also available. Additional DQ items include sundaes, milkshakes, smoothies and chillers.

George and Janet Reed have owned and operated the Camden business since 1980.

While under construction, the dining room area is closed, but the drive-through is still open. The conversion hopefully will be complete by the end of the month, said Mrs. Reed.

“It was just time that we upgraded,” Mrs. Reed said. “We’ve been thinking about it for a long time now. A lot of new businesses have been opening up in the area and it was just time.

“This will bring a warmer atmosphere. We will bring the food out to the dining room and it just brings a different aspect to the business.”

New on the inside of the remodeled DQ Grill and Chill are drop ceilings, privacy walls separating the store into multiple dining areas, new tile work on walls and the floor, and a variety of seating options including tables, booths and high tops.

A new ambiance will come from the lighting that includes hanging pendants, can lights and wall sconces.

“It will have new floors, walls and seating,” Mrs. Reed said. “We’re very excited. We will now have a double freezer, which will help us store plenty of Blizzards and ice cream cakes.”

Mrs. Reed said people seem to be excited about the establishment’s new look.

“People keep calling us asking us what’s going on,” Mrs. Reed said. “When we tell them about it they feel just as excited as we are about our renovations.

“Our drive-through is still open, so we have plenty of customers who still come, especially since the weather is starting to warm up.”

The business is open all year round, but Mrs. Reed said its busiest months are during the summer.

“It really starts to pick up then,” she said. “When it’s hot outside people want ice cream or something cold, so we’re really busy during those times.”

Mrs. Reed said once renovations are complete they hope to hire more people.

“We’re going to need more help,” Mrs. Reed said. “The renovations are the reason for that, so all kinds of positions will be open. We’ve just very excited about this opportunity.”