Gina Heslop
A Dairy Queen in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, has become the center of a controversy due to a sign in its window. The sign declares the store’s use of holiday greetings like “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Easter,” and “God Bless America.” This bold statement has garnered significant attention online.
Kevin Scheunemann, the owner of this Dairy Queen, spoke to WDJT-TV about the sign. He explained that he felt it was necessary to be clear about his and his staff’s views, which support traditional holiday greetings and patriotic expressions. According to Scheunemann, the sign has been up for four years without causing any issues until recently.
The controversy began when a customer took a picture of the sign and shared it online, complaining about its content. This photo was posted on Dairy Queen’s official Facebook page, leading to a flurry of comments.
Scheunemann mentioned that the complaint came from a student from Oregon, who found the sign “extremely offensive” and demanded action from the Dairy Queen corporation.
Most comments under the photo supported Scheunemann’s decision to keep the sign. However, Dairy Queen’s corporate office responded by clarifying their stance. They stated that while franchisees like Scheunemann own their stores independently, the corporation does not encourage posting non-business-related messages.
They emphasized that the sign represented the views of Scheunemann alone and not the entire Dairy Queen corporation. They also reiterated that all customers should be treated with dignity and respect.
Despite the controversy, Scheunemann has no plans to remove the sign. He noted that his store has become a popular tourist spot, with people traveling long distances to take photos with the sign. He believes the sign’s message is clear and aligns with his values and those of his staff.
The idea for the sign originally came after a customer complained about Christian music playing inside the store. Scheunemann decided to address the complaint by being upfront about the store’s atmosphere and values.
While the sign has sparked debate, Scheunemann stands firm in his decision to keep it, highlighting his commitment to transparency about his store’s values.
