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McDonalds closed for complete rebuild

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 7:29 PM Monday, July 20, 2009

Residents of Lebanon will be forced to endure an elongated Big Mac Attack for the next several months, as the local McDonald’s has closed for a total renovation.

The McDonald’s on Columbus Avenue closed its doors on Sunday, July 19. On Wednesday, crews will begin a total demolition of the building, which will be rebuilt to capture the modern McDonald’s aesthetic.

“The size will stay about the same, but it will be configured in a different way,” said Ed Wernet, owner of the Lebanon McDonalds. “The building opened in August 1977. It’s approaching 32 years old and time has just caught up to us.”

Wernet said the new design will also address the buildings most serious complaint, its convoluted parking and drive through system which has often had cars backed up to the building’s entrance on Main Street while trapping other diners who just wanted to leave. The new building will pull the drive through closer to the back of McDonald’s property and have two side-by-side ordering points for a speedier service.

The new building will still feature a play place for children. Wernet said it will be upgraded to include the latest in playground technology, including a keyboard wall that will play music.

“The new building will have a warmer feel and be more comfortable,” Wernet said. “It will increase capacity and offer a better experience to customers.”

Wernet, who has owned the McDonald’s since 1980, said he plans to be reopened by the start of November. During the construction period, he said employees were offered work at other McDonald’s he owns in Monroe and Wilmington.

And what are the poor Lebanonites to do while waiting for the golden arches to once again shimmer brightly along Main Street?

“There are plenty of convenient locations around,” Wernet said. “We won’t be gone long.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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Hopefully they will hire employees are happy they have a job!

Julie
1:30 PM, 7/22/2009

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Hopefully cleanliness will be a priority at the new one as well. It is the dirtiest McDonald's I have ever been to, and the restrooms were atrocious.

Lebanon mom
3:54 PM, 7/21/2009

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agreed.. they seriously need to do something about all the loitering from the employees and their friends.

Anonymous
11:40 AM, 7/21/2009

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That McDonalds is horrible hopefully they hire new employees as well. We stopped going there a long time ago because the staff is so rude and how many times can you order a cheeseburger and get all but the burger itself???

THANK YOU
8:50 AM, 7/21/2009

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The second paragraph says "Columbus Avenue". The 2nd to last paragraph says "Main Street". Proof read first?

Bob
11:08 PM, 7/20/2009

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