Thankful Messages Left For Dairy Queen Owner After Crash

NORTHBROOK, IL - When a car crashed through the front window of the Dairy Queen at the corner of Dundee and Pfingsten and Northbrook nearly two weeks ago, it was just the latest challenge in what has been a difficult year for owner Jenn Schubert Spencer. Spencer has been battling Stage 3 breast cancer since March.

"When the accident happened, it was just 'one more' thing to add to a stressful and challenging year," said Spencer, whose family has owned the beloved Northbrook DQ franchise for more than 40 years.

So while sitting in the restaurant the next morning, after construction boards had taken up most of the line of sight, Spencer shared a photo of the post-damage on Facebook asking her friends to "look at the view this morning."

"And in the comments one of my friends had put to let kids draw on it," Spencer said. "So I added to that to put what you are thankful for."

Then, in black marker, Spencer wrote on one of the boards asking customers to "help us decorate this boring wall" and write "what you are thankful for.

The idea was applauded immediately, with 20 or so comments written on the board within a couple of days.

David Schwalb is one of the customers who stopped in at the local favorite in the days after the crash. He jokingly wrote on the board that he is thankful that Dairy Queen is "still not a drive-thru."

"I wanted to write something fun, but mainly want to tell people that Dairy Queen is open for business," said Schwalb, a proud small business supporter who called the DQ an "institution."

"I try to do my best to support local businesses and this one has been here for years," he said.

For Spencer, she's thankful that no one was injured in the accident. One that occurred close to the busy lunch time.

"It could have been a customer sitting there eating lunch, someone walking by to one of the other stores, or even one of my employees cleaning the dining room," she said.

Dairy Queen's comeback from the crash will be minimal compared to what Spencer has ahead for her personally in battling cancer. But her attitude in the midst of this business challenge can only show her strength as she takes on other struggles.

Main photo by David Schwalb