The Dari Vi was a drive-in that faced Highway 7, although its address was actually 6210 W. 36th Street. An ad in a September 1953 issue of the Echo described it as across from the High School (Central). In December 1953 there was a Christmas treet lot at the location. The drive-in shows up again in the Echo in June 1954, September 1955, and June 1956.
Dari Vi was an ice cream and BBQ beef place owned by Vincent A. Ryan. Ryan apparently moved to St. Louis Park in 1953, living at 3304 Louisiana Ave. So., which is now Library Lane. The Dari Vi itself is not listed in the Village phone books, but Ryan is listed as the owner of it up until and including 1958. There was no 1959 directory, and in 1960 Ryan’s place of work is listed as the Hennepin County Highway Department.
It appears that Joyce and Cliff Odden purchased the building and had it moved to Isle, Minnesota, on Lake Mille Lacs. The photo below was graciously provided by Gerald Wollum at the Mille Lacs Lake Historical Society in Isle. It was taken in 1961, before the building was set down on its new slab.
Ads appear in the Minneapolis papers in August 1981, offering the Dairy Vi and a truck and car wash for sale.
The Dari Vi still exists, but in a newer building with dine-in seating.
Many thanks to Mark Lapakko, Gerald Wollum, and owner Joy for helping solve the mystery of the Dari Vi!