The prospective site of a future Dairy Queen restaurant in Vestal continues to be a magnet for graffiti artists and other vandals.

Efforts to keep people from using spray paint on the walls of the long-closed Pizza Hut and Friendly's restaurants on the Vestal Parkway have been unsuccessful.

Vestal Police Chief Stace Kintner told WNBF News there's been a history of vandalism at the old buildings just east of the Tru by Hilton hotel.

White paint was used to cover graffiti on the former Friendly's restaurant on the Vestal Parkway. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
White paint was used to cover graffiti on the former Friendly's restaurant on the Vestal Parkway. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Kintner said graffiti has been a problem on the properties, along with broken windows and doors. He said town police officers have encountered "multiple people" trespassing at the site in recent years.

The property owners have worked to paint over graffiti shortly after it occurs but the problem has persisted despite efforts by police to keep an eye on the buildings.

FLASHBACK: Behind the closed Friendly's restaurant on the Vestal Parkway on December 3, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
FLASHBACK: Behind the closed Friendly's restaurant on the Vestal Parkway on December 3, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Visions Hotels of Corning spent $1 million to acquire the parcels on the parkway before the company opened the hotel six years ago. Hotel managers and town officials said the company's goal was for a restaurant to open at the site.

Visions representatives have declined to comment on plans for future development on the properties.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A visit to the site of the former Vestal Pizza Hut and Friendly's restaurants on October 28, 2025. 

WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

LOOK: Top pizza chains in the US

To help you find your next slice, Stacker examined PMQ Pizza Magazine's 2025 Pizza Power report to round up the 30 biggest pizza chains in the country based on annual sales in 2023. Some are classic fast-food franchises, customizable and deliverable to our doorsteps in less than 60 minutes; others are brick-and-mortar family joints.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: This Is the Signature Sandwich From Each State

Stacker researched staple sandwiches—the kind that makes residents proud—and highlighted one from each state that everyone should try.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

Glaring Continuity Errors From Popular TV Series

Stacker scoured articles, interviews, TikToks, fan forums, and YouTube clips to compile 25 of the most glaring continuity mistakes from popular TV series. 

Gallery Credit: Stacker

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM