ROCK SPRINGS – Now that the lights have gone off and there are no more McNuggets floating in the fryers, some may be wondering what’s next for Sweetwater County’s first McDonald’s.
Big Macs were flying on Friday as the community joined the entire McDonald’s’ staff – past and present – to celebrate the closing of the Sunset Drive location. By 8 p.m. friday, the lights went down for the last time.
The restaurant is closing as crews prepare to demolish the old building. In its place, a more modern McDonald’s will be built.
On Saturday and continuing on Sunday, the McDonald’s staff will go through the restaurant and salvage what they want to keep. Local Owner Greg Bailey said on Monday they will fence off the location and prep for Tuesday’s demolition.
The demolition should take approximately two weeks to get back to dirt. Crews will then start construction on the new building. Bailey said overall the entire process takes approximately 120 days. This includes demolition so the build should take approximately 106 days.
Bailey stressed that these numbers are dependant on the weather. He added the build is also scheduled to go through Thanksgiving and Christmas which could impact construction days as well.
While excited about the new building and all the new change, it is a bittersweet and emotional time for the Baileys. The Sunset location was their first restaurant.
As the Baileys prepare to take this next step, Greg had a special message to the residents of Sweetwater County.
He said the support and the number of people who came to the store on Friday was “incredible” and a little bit overwhelming.
“This community and the support they have given to us over the years has been great,” Bailey said. “It has been a great 20 years and we are excited and look forward to another 20 years serving you.”
For more information about the new programs at McDonald’s and exactly why the Sunset location is being torn down go to https://www.sweetwaternow.com/new-building-technology-mean-bright-future-local-mcdonalds-locations/
