Seekonk residents under the influence of a Big Mac attack are going to have to cross the border into East Providence to satisfy their needs, at least for a little while, as the McDonald’s on Fall River Avenue undergoes renovations that will keep the restaurant closed for some time. According to signs on the fence now surrounding the restaurant, McDonald’s will re-open in late summer. Dixon General Contracting Inc. out of Shrewsbury will be handling the project, which includes demolishing the restaurant and building a brand new one in its place.
“McDonald’s has a new image that they’re putting out,” said Richard Dixon, of the contracting company.
The new style of building — a prototype called the “forever young” style by McDonald’s — will deviate from the typical look seen at many of the franchise locations in the area.
According to project manager Matt Dixon, the new restaurant will be approximately the same size as the old one, and will feature a brick finish and slightly different signage from the traditional McDonald’s sign. There will also be trellis and awning detail around the exterior, however, no playground is planned for this location.
The company hoped to begin demolition late this week, and expected construction to be finished by late September.
The “forever young” design concept will keep the original red and yellow colors easily associated with the popular chain, but the red will reportedly be muted to a terra cotta color, the yellow more of a gold. There will also be hues of olive and sage green used in decor.
According to reports, the restaurants will also include more wood and brick looks. Some restaurants may include wi-fi access for laptop customers, armchairs and sofas in a “linger area,” whereas “grab and go” sections will include single bar stools with nearby plasma TVs. A “flexible zone” could be targeted towards families.
McDonald’s announced the concept in 2006 and has since been converting more and more restaurants to the new style. This is the first major redesign of the chain since the 1970s.
BY KIMBERLY HARPER for EastBayRI.com