Despite setbacks, restoration project to bring Fall River landmark back to life continues on

An old Fall River favorite will soon be resurrected from the ashes. Just not as soon as expected.

If you are of a certain age, like me, you remember on a hot summer night taking a trip to the corner of Globe Street and Plymouth Ave. to cool off and satisfy your tastebuds with a tasty soft serve ice cream cone or a thirst-quenching lime rickey. Soon, you will have the chance to relive those memories once again.

Realtor and real estate investor Kevin Proulx, and his partner, Mario Loureiro, announced in September a project to restore the former Dairy Freeze that has been idle for years.

“We are restoring it back to its original profile. It’s original facade. Restoring the original sign. I want everything original with new modern touches.”

One of those modern touches will be new custom hydraulic windows.

Proulx, who co-owns several properties with Loureiro including the building that houses Acores Restaurant in Swansea, had hoped that the refurbishing would start in November with completion in approximately 2 months.

“We have a few people who would like to rent it to keep its legacy, or we would keep it. Jeff from Jeff’s Ice Cream (another landmark) is thinking of doing it again. We have great opportunities. We might open it ourselves to give back a little.”

Fall River Reporter reached out to Proulx on Wednesday for an update.

“(The) windows just came in. (The) contractors are starting in 2 to 3 weeks.”

Proulx noted that they learned that they have to go through zoning to reestablish use.

“It’s a slower process than anticipated. Hopefully (we will) open the doors by August.”

The many calls from city residents for someone to re-open 1017 Globe Street and a piece of their childhood, have finally been answered. It just won’t be as quickly as hoped.