Demolished Cherry Road McDonald's to re-open in February as 'more modern'

By: Nicole Smith

Posted: 11/6/08

Katelin Tough was hungry.

The freshman English major was returning from an off-campus assignment for her education class when she decided to stop at the McDonald's on Cherry Road across from Wofford Hall.

But McDonald's wasn't there.

"I kept driving and just didn't notice," Tough said. "Finally I was at the stoplight in front of Camden Avenue and it was gone."

Representatives from McDonald's announced in the summertime plans to demolish the building and the building was torn down this semester.

Mandy Carter, McDonald's human resources training coordinator, said the fast-food restaurant is undergoing renovations to make the building more modern. The Cherry Road McDonald's was originally constructed in 1976.

Changes will include an outdoor patio, a flat-screen television inside and a "McCafé" with the restaurant's new cappuccinos and lattes, Carter said.

McDonald's will still be open 24 hours. The restaurant will also install wireless Internet.

"There will be outlets for computers," Carter said. "Hopefully the students will enjoy the new store when it's built and come back and try it."

Carter, who is a Winthrop graduate, said she hopes the new McDonald's will be a fun hangout for Winthrop students.

But some students wondered why the restaurant chose to renovate now when students are in school as opposed to the summer.

"I don't know if it was the best time with the holidays coming up," said Becky Rodgers, a junior psychology major.

Carter said the reason is the construction permits.

"They wanted to do it in May 2008 while students were not there," she said. "But (the permits) were delayed in coming from the state."

She said if McDonald's had chosen to wait until May 2009, the permits would have expired because they are only valid for six months.

With new restaurants and stores opening up along Cherry Road, Carter said it's a competitive environment.

"It's definitely something we're always worried about with the economy the way it is," she said.

But she added she doesn't think the temporary closing will negatively affect McDonald's business.

Rodgers agreed.

"People went there before," she said. "They'll go again."

McDonald's will re-open in February 2009.

Until then, Rodgers said she'll just drive to Wendy's or Bojangle's for her fast-food fix.

Tough said she plans to eat at Dinkins more often.

"Having a fast-food place in walking distance was a nice change of pace," she said. "And I did love those McFlurries."