A beloved Marion landmark is about to no longer exist.
On Sunday, some heavy equipment was parked in front of the former Jack Frost Dairy Bar on Sugar Hill Road. For many years, this was a popular gathering place with ice cream, milkshakes and sundaes.
In March 2021, owners Jim and Connie Burgin announced they would close Jack Frost Dairy Bar after 66 years as a family-owned business. They said it was a difficult decision that was reached after prayer and thoughtful consideration, according to a previous story by The McDowell News.
“'To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…,’ according to Ecclesiastes 3:1. For the past 66 years in McDowell County, one of the signs of spring has been the opening of Jack Frost Dairy Bar, but Jack Frost will not be opening this spring,” read their statement from March 2021. “Owners Jim and Connie Burgin have made the difficult decision to close the family business. They are retiring.”
Since that announcement, the small white building on Sugar Hill Road has stood empty. The 3.38-acre property, which includes the old dairy bar building and several other structures, is now owned by Mattz LLC of Marion, according to McDowell County property records.
Spencer Elliott, chief building inspector for the city of Marion, said Monday that a demolition permit has been issued for this property.
“There is also a commercial development planned for multiple spaces,” he said. "As of (Monday) morning, we have not received any information as to what businesses exactly will be there.”
He said more information is expected in a couple of months about what the current owners of the property plan to do with the site.
Elliott said GEM Constructors located on Nix Creek Road in Marion is the developer/contractor on the permit. The address for Mattz LLC is the same address as GEM Constructors, according to property records.
GEM Constructors has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Sugar Hill Road corridor has become a hotbed of new businesses in Marion. In recent years, Dunkin’, Firehouse Subs, Waffle House, Starbucks, Sheetz, Popeyes and Bojangles have opened along the road.
