Big Chill opens at site of former Dairy Queen in Carbondale

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) – Mark Waichukauski began working at the Dairy Queen in Carbondale 56 years ago, and now he has his own operation: Big Chill. 

“There was never any decision. It was going to happen,” Waichukauski said. “I wanted to continue doing this, and I wanted to continue giving the people what they want.” 

Which, of course, is ice cream. 

Kevin Smith, who is visiting Carbondale this weekend for his 40th class reunion, said this place is: “Incredibly nostalgic, I mean, I miss the sign, but hopefully the city will do the right thing and let him put a new sign on the roof. The place is iconic.” 

Smith said today felt just like old times, except… 

“The difference is, I’m not here in a ‘55 Chevy today, I’m here in a rental car, but it’s just a great place. It’s such a part of the history of Carbondale, and I’m so glad that it’s still here,” he said.

Mike Miles, who moved to Carbondale to go to Southern Illinois University 40 years ago and has lived there ever since, said it is a joy seeing Big Chill open. 

“Now that it’s open, we’re glad to…come down and have a nice ice cream, a chocolate malt, on a humid Saturday,” he said.

Waichukauski said the community support has never wavered. 

“The community support I’ve felt since it happened with Dairy Queen has just been amazing, and it just touches me that the community feels like that, and I just want to make sure that I go out there and provide what the community wants,” he said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”