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The former Dairy Queen building on Bridge Avenue in Albert Lea will soon be opening as a new restaurant — the first of its chain in Minnesota.

Iowans Chai and Katia Flores are remodeling the building and plan to open it as an Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh location by mid-November. Chai already has two other locations — one in Ames and another in Spencer, Iowa.

In addition to the new restaurant in Albert Lea, they are opening a fourth location in Worthington.

Katia said they were not initially looking for the opportunity in Albert Lea but one day in August made a pit-stop in the community while driving through the area and came across the “for lease” sign on the building. They pulled into the parking lot and called about the building that same day.

Abelardo’s offers a large menu of authentic Mexican food made fresh, everything from chimichangas to enchiladas to tortas, tostadas, tacos, fajitas, rice bowls, burritos and churros.

There will be both dine-in and drive-through service.

According to its website, Abelardo’s started in 2002 and has since expanded to over 50 locations in six states in the Midwest, including Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Illinois — and now its seventh with the Flores’ two new locations in Minnesota.

Chai said he grew up in California, and his brothers have worked at similar types of restaurants for the last 30 years. One of his brothers worked for the original Abelardo’s location, and now seven of the family owns restaurants — as a family they own 16.

“We’re actually very happy to be here,” he said. “Hopefully people will get to enjoy what we’re bringing to the town.”

To get the restaurant open for business, the couple has been busy renovating the building. So far they removed the old paneling that was on the walls and removed the old seating and menu boards. They are also looking to install a larger hood in the kitchen.

When it’s complete there will be a new drive-through window, new seating, updated flooring and walls and digital signs.

The couple said they look to open the restaurant in about a month to a month and a half. Signs should be installed in just a few weeks.

Katia said everyone they have met so far in the community has been nice and they are excited to be part of the community with the business. A manager will be moving to Albert Lea to oversee the store.

Chai said he hopes once the restaurant is open, it will bring more traffic to the area and that more businesses will in turn want to come to that part of the city as well.

The restaurant will be open all day starting for breakfast by at least 7 a.m., possibly earlier, Chai said. It will be open likely until 11 p.m. during the week and 1 or 2 a.m. on the weekends.