‘It is with a heavy heart … ‘: Iconic Larsen’s drive-in freezes up again in St. George

File photo of Larsen's Frostop, St. George, Utah, April 20, 2022 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A little over a year after it returned from the dead, Larsen’s Frostop has been buried again.

The main neon sign in front of Larsen’s Frostop Drive-In, St. George, Utah, Dec. 28, 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

An announcement Friday afternoon on the St. George Boulevard eatery’s Facebook page revealed it has ceased operations again after new operators revived the Frostop in May 2022 after it had closed in late 2021.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the current operators of Larsen’s Frostop Drive-In have closed its doors,” the announcement said. “We want to express our sincere gratitude to all the loyal customers and community that made this place special. Your support will be missed dearly.”

No reason was provided for the closure of the restaurant at 858 E. St. George Blvd.

The eatery known for its signature Piccadilly chips and neon sign opened in November 1965  as a Frostop root beer cafe franchise by Gale and Darlene Larsen, parents-in-law of current St. George City Councilmember Natalie Larsen.

Kim and Andra Garrett, the third owners of the Frostop, closed it in December 2021 and it was sold to Mark III Investments LLC, which included among its owners, managers with St. George real estate firm NAI Excel. Mark III Investments then launched a search for an operator that they said could sustain a restaurant there in the long term.

New operators, including a co-owner of the nearby Morty’s Cafe, took on that task to give Larsen’s another lease at life.

But that lease is apparently now up.

The site’s owner said in the Friday Facebook announcement that they are again looking for a new tenant.

“Whether you’re interested in continuing the Frostop legacy or starting an exciting new business venture, this historic location holds many possibilities,” the announcement said.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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