McDonald's may close during road 210 project

Regular customers of the west Brainerd McDonald's not only deserve a break today, but face the possibility of a sustained break in their McDonald's patronage if owner Glen Cook decides to shut the restaurant's doors during Highway 210 road construction this summer.

Cook, who first opened the doors as manager at the site of the city's first Golden Arches in July 1974, said he hopes to make a decision in early May between launching either an extensive remodeling project or a temporary shutdown and rebuilding of the restaurant. Cook has owned the McDonald's since 1991.

Either project would be timed to coincide with the Highway 210 reconstruction.

"You might as well do it if the road's going to be closed," he said. "I think it's going to be a real mess. If I'm ever going to do something in the next three to five years I might as well do it now."