<\/p>\n
Local regulars flooded the newly rebuilt McDonald\u2019s on Main Street on Wednesday morning, packing the tables and vying for a spot in the new drive-through.<\/p>\n
For Dot and Bill Gapp, George Compton, Ed Novotny, Don McNeel, and many others it was reunion of sorts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been anxious for months waiting for them to open,\u201d Dot Gapp said. Bill Gapp, who recently turned 80, visits every morning before going to work at Wal-mart. Compton visits twice a day regularly. Without a gathering place, the group has been scattered across other fast food stops since February.<\/p>\n
McNeel and Compton were going to Arby\u2019s, although they never saw each other. But they did enjoy the staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a nice gang,\u201d Compton confessed.<\/p>\n
The Gapps were going to Burger King.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t seen Dot for months,\u201d Compton said.<\/p>\n
Compton was one of the first 100 people in line, and he received a $25 gift card. He returned mid-morning to see his friends and had tried to use it. But was a bit chagrined it hadn\u2019t been activated.<\/p>\n
\u201cI gave them holy hell for it,\u201d he said jokingly.<\/p>\n
The group had a mixed reaction to new store.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s different,\u201d said Novotny, who added that with enough time he\u2019d find something he didn\u2019t like.<\/p>\n
The new store features muted colors and a stylized picture of Mesa Verde on the wall. The play area was redesigned, and computers with games for children were installed.<\/p>\n
Bill Gapp appreciated that the front counter had been reorganized to be more efficient.<\/p>\n
Outside, the double drive-through allows for two cars to order at the same time, and the store now includes two pick-up windows. The previous drive-through had an extremely tight turn.<\/p>\n
The kitchen space was also reorganized. Employee Dawn Armendarez said the new floor plan includes more room in the back, and there is no longer a basement with a freezer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hated the basement,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Since February, she had been commuting to work in Durango. She said she was happy to able to walk to work again and be there for her regulars.<\/p>\n
\u201cFour months without McDonald\u2019s probably killed them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Franchise owners are required to rebuild their locations every 40 years. Brett Bronson, the local owner, decided to rebuild the Cortez location about six years early.<\/p>\n