By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Friday at midnight the Raton McDonalds will close its doors on the old store and prepare for what will be a new high tech McDonalds with state of the art tech features.
According to Lee Phelan, owner of the McDonalds franchise in Raton, they will officially close the doors at midnight Friday night on the old building and over the weekend move some of the equipment out to other stores. On Monday it will be turned over to the contractors and hopefully 120 days or less later they will open the doors to a new store complete with new high tech tables, self serve drinks and a way to customize your order.
The new store will have a whole new traffic pattern that includes two-way traffic on the east side of the building with two drive up lanes. The back parking lot will be redone and offer pet owners a place to stretch their pet’s legs. The 4812 square foot building will have expanded seating compared to the old store as well as outdoor seating.
Phelan told KRTN that they hope to be able to entice travelers to take a look around Raton as they advertise events and local hot spots to tourist via table top tablets that will also have over 80 games and internet access for kids of every age.
The décor will also feature a more local look instead of the standard McDonalds murals. The local murals will include the train depot along with a silhouette of a cowboy and a sunset scene with a stage coach.
One thing they plan to try as well will be a grill that will allow the customer to customize their order and also try table delivery. Customers will be able to place their order and then take a seat while their order is prepared and then delivered to their table. These are things that are being tested in other stores around the country.
The store is also hiring new help. Phelan noted that the store currently employs about 45 to 50 people and he is hoping to increase that to over 120 people.
The only question now is will the weather hold out and allow completion of the new store in less than 120 days.
