'Dairy Dome's' Future - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

For more than 30 years, the iconic cone on the corner of Highway 77 and 15th street attracted customers from near and far.

Many times it was the quirky facade that brought customers to it, but some say it was the sweet treats inside it that put the cherry on top. If there's anyone that remembers the cone, it's the Dick family. They bought it in the late 70's and operated until the early 80's.

There's a lot of memories there. We worked hard, we met the people, and our kids grew up around there." Co-Owner Phyllis Dick says.

The Dairy Dome or Bentley's Ice Cream Shop at the time, was part of the Dick's way of life. "I would walk from Jenks Middle, pass by Bay High and then up to the ice cream store." Brian Dick says.

But after sitting idle for a decade, the cone is getting a face lift. Izra Brown, the cone's new owner is converting the store into a Wingz shop. "Every day that I wake up and the sun touches my eye, I think that's a Florida Wingz morning." Brown says.

The plans for the store does not include the dome; it was removed on Monday to make way for it's new look. On Facebook and in the community, people sounded off, some in favor of the change and others just saddened.

"It was part of who we were and what we did and it's going to be tough to see it go because it was a constant." Dick says.

But as a Panama City native, Brown says he never lost sight of the cone's history, he's cooking up an idea of his own. "Whether it be loaning it to the African-American Cultural Museum or actually relocating it to the beach, my vision for Florida Wingz was to actually revitalize one of these urban areas."

Brown plans on holding a grand opening on August 17th from 5-7 p.m. and says there's a great chance the building will be serving ice cream once again.