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Here's a short item on the opening of Dick's on Highway 99 in Edmonds from 2011. Yes, more than nine years ago.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper (fourth from left), joined by Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas and Council President Strom Peterson, were all on hand Thursday to help break ground for the new Dick's Drive-in, scheduled to open next December in the Top Food parking lot on Highway 99.

With a backhoe and balloons, Dick Spady, co-founder and namesake of Dick's Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., broke ground last Thursday at the new site for the first restaurant since 1974.

Local dignitaries, Spady family members, and seven lucky fans helped launch construction for the new Edmonds Dick's Drive-In.

"We've been welcomed with open arms by the Edmonds community," said Spady, who turns 88 in October said. "Now comes the really fun part where we get to watch a new drive-in take shape and become a part of the neighborhood. We can't wait to fire up those new grills, fry up the freshly sliced potatoes, and whip up the hand-dipped shakes for all of our local north-end customers."

The winners of the company's latest Facebook "Fab Fan" contest included stories from "malt girl," poetry, five generations of family memories, and a daddy's love for his new baby girl, born premature at only 1 pound, 14 ounces.

"While I am looking forward to my first Edmonds Dick's Deluxe, I know it couldn't have happened without our Economic Development Director, Stephen Clifton, or the continuing work of our city staff to keep this project on schedule," said Peterson. "And, yes, I'll have fries with that, and maybe a chocolate shake."

The Edmonds property is located on Highway 99 with access from Interstate 5 via 220th Street SW.

The new drive-in will be close to Edmonds Community College, Swedish Edmonds Hospital, and Edmonds-Woodway High School.

Dick's currently operates five restaurants in Seattle. The original Dick's Drive-In opened in 1954 on Northeast 45th Street in Wallingford; the Capitol Hill Dick's opened in 1955, the Crown Hill Dick's opened in 1960, the Lake City Dick's opened in 1963, and the lower Queen Anne Dick's opened in 1974. The new Dick's in Edmonds will maintain the original restaurant's iconic 1950s look and architecture.

Visit the website at www.dicksdrivein.com.