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McDonald's renovates, revamps image
By Emma Tocci
Collegian Reporter
Behind a sheet of translucent plastic, McDonald's
workers fill Happy Meals and wrap Big Macs. On the other side
of the plastic, construction workers sand drywall and lay masonry
for the restaurant renovations as part of a corporation-wide
re-imaging movement.
Laura Maynard, who owns and manages the Hillsdale
restaurant with her husband, Jim, said the franchise is updating
to a more contemporary decor in the monthlong renovation that
began April 12. The revamp will add a coffee lounge area, a
children's playhouse, a banquet-sized table, and an electric
fireplace as part of the new amenities.
The entire store, designed to accommodate
105 people, will also be decorated with pictures of Hillsdale
community schools, athletics and arts.
"The owners really want people to feel
like this is their McDonald's…it's really great that they
are committing to the community in that way," Maribeth
Watkins, Hillsdale resident and business owner, said.
The bay-windowed area, with lounge chairs
and coffee tables in front of the building, will feature pictures
of Central Hall, Slayton Arboretum and other campus scenes.
Near the lounge area, high booths for privacy
and a new self-serve beverage station will also encourage students
to stay while they study, Watkins said.
Maynard toured the store, pausing before the
washrooms and pointing out the faux marble porcelain tiles replacing
the pink and teal, the wrought iron fixtures replacing the stainless
steel, and the recessed can lights that will take the place
of the fluorescents, "for a warmer feel."
Outside new landscaping is on its way, as
is a canopy for the drive-through to provide extra protection
and lighting for late night-or early morning-runs as managers
plan to open the restaurant for 24-hour service in June.
"When you're hungry in the middle of
the night, we'll be able to take care of you," Maynard
said.
The grand re-opening is set for May 12, but
McDonald's is doing drive-through business as usual and opens
the yet unfinished dining room to customers on weekends.
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Emma Tocci/Collegian
David Heintz, an employee of
Paul Jeplawy Builders, works on a fireplace in the McDonald's
dining room. The work is part of a corporate-wide renovation.
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