By Kathianne Boniello
The motorized Golden Arches that had twirled on the corner of Northern Boulevard and Marathon Parkway for nearly 30 years are set to spin again when McDonald's restaurant reopens in Little Neck Friday after more than two weeks of major renovations, the owner said.
Maria Sullivan, who also owns two McDonald's in Bayside, said the renovation included a new ventilation system, roof, ceiling, lights, kitchen, and handicapped accessible bathrooms.
The construction began March 5 at 6 p.m. and by 9 p.m. the entire inside was gutted and outside work had gotten started, she said. The restaurant was scheduled to reopen Friday.
The restaurant was without a roof March 7 and the parking lot was full of large debris, trucks, and construction vehicles. Two large signs proclaimed the fast food place was closed, and workers stopped to answer the questions of curious pedestrians who had not heard about the renovation.
“People thought there was a fire,” Sullivan said, “or a bomb.”
Earlier this week construction vehicles still cluttered the parking lot, but the roof of the eatery was nearly complete, and new plate glass windows filled the front walls.
Sullivan, who has owned the Little Neck McDonald's for seven years, said the construction work would allow for up-to-date cooking methods and a more efficient drive through.
“The way it was configured was totally different than what we need now,” she said.
The McDonald's at 250-09 Northern Blvd. was one of the first 1,200 built, Sullivan said.
“It was one of the first McDonald's,” she said.
When it reopens Friday, the Little Neck McDonald's will be as modern as Sullivan's two other locations.
Sullivan said there are no plans to reconstruct the McDonald's at 203-11 Northern Blvd., which she has owned for about six years, or another of the celebrated hamburger places at 40-12 Bell Blvd., which she has owned for five years. Both locations are in Bayside.
Sullivan said she was pleased with the work of the construction company, which she called “amazing.”
“They are a day ahead of schedule,” she said.
