I’ve been to a few grand openings in my relatively short journalism career, and not many have included any kind of religious acknowledgement. But then again, Karen Skinner isn’t just any business owner.
The new and much improved McDonald’s at Northwest Highway and Abrams is Skinner’s 11th through her company, McKaren Industries. She’s also responsible for the McDonald’s that looks like a gingerbread cake at Ross and Greenville, the retro building downtown near the bus station, and the combo burger shop/gas station at Fitzhugh and Central.
Skinner is a devout Christian, so after serving her guests McGriddles and hotcakes at this morning’s opening reception, she asked a deacon from St. Thomas Aquinas to bless the new restaurant. So amid the cacophony that inevitably accompanies a fast-food restaurant (this one officially opened Monday morning, and was operating as usual), we paused and asked God to bless Skinner’s new enterprise.
Its actually a pretty incredible new place. Someone commented to me this morning that the old McDonald’s in this spot was 37 years old "and looked it". Skinner explained that she believed the location needed to be revitalized, so she flattened it and started over.
Now, three large flat screens hang on a wall that divides the dining area from the front counter, and the restaurant also features a McCafe, McDonald’s attempt to compete with Starbucks and other coffee shops by selling hot and iced specialty coffee drinks. Skinner told me her coffee is better than Starbucks, with espresso beans imported from South America and Hawaii and ground fresh at the restaurant — plus, the drinks are cheaper. I tried a non-fat caramel latte this morning, and it was pretty tasty.
The restaurant also features a small, enclosed children’s play area, a computer-like contraption that looks similar to a bar game machine but has electronic games for kids, and free WiFi. And the contemporary design is aesthetically pleasing — soothing colors, clean lines, and even spots with cushy chairs and tiny tables designed with laptop-users in mind. It’s nice enough that I might head back this afternoon and write a few more blog posts while sipping a McLatte.
We still aren’t sure what’s happening across the street at the former Steakley/Bankston Chevrolet, but rumor had it at this morning’s grand opening that the site would soon be the home of a Lowe’s. That would be fitting, considering the retailer’s history of building within two blocks of a Home Depot, and vice versa.
