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McDonald’s reopens in Washington after major rebuild
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WASHINGTON — After months of closure and construction, the McDonald’s on South Marion Avenue reopened its doors Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m. following a full teardown and rebuild.
The announcement came from the Washington Chamber of Commerce, which said the revamped restaurant is “ready to serve the community once again.”
The rebuild addressed long-standing space constraints, specifically in the kitchen which previously only offered approximately one-third of the space needed to meet demand at the only drive-thru restaurant in town.
The new building stands in a slightly different position than the last one and offers a smaller overall footprint that adjusted parking and added new sidewalks to meet ADA compliance.
How does this slightly smaller building allow for the much needed kitchen space? While kids can still enjoy their favorite fresh fries and nuggets dining in or driving through, they will no longer be spending time at the establishment crawling through the colorful playspace as Washington’s McDonald’s follows the redesign trend which began in the 2010s and continued through the COVID-19 pandemic.
With an increase demand for food on the go, however, most residents are simply happy to have the casual dining restaurant back as an option.
The excitement was readily apparent as community and business leaders responded to an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce to preview the rebuild Monday, Nov. 3.
The event featured a flag-raising by the American Legion, a performance by the Washington High School Band, and a ribbon-cutting by the Chamber ambassadors. Attendees toured the building, sampled menu items and enjoyed cake as they filled the dining room.
The restaurant reopened to the public Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. and resumed regular business hours of 5 a.m.-1 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5.
“Stop by to see the stunning new remodel and updated features while enjoying your favorite McDonald’s classics,” the Chamber encouraged in a recent newsletter. “Welcome back, Washington McDonald’s — we’ve missed you.”
The newly built location occupies the same lot but features a more efficient layout designed to serve more customers and reduce wait times. The Washington community can once again pull in for fast food service, now with modern upgrades.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
