Rumors persist of a McDonald’s coming to Maplewood.
In November 2013 McDonald’s USA Heartland Region communications manager, Neil Getzlow, told 40 South News by email, “We are investigating sites in that area (Maplewood), and also surrounding cities, but don’t have anything definitive yet.”
In a Nov. 18 (2014) email to 40 South, Getzlow said McDonald’s continues to consider Maplewood.
“I can tell you we are looking at sites in Maplewood but nothing concrete or specific location agreed to at this point, to my knowledge,” he said.
See also: McDonald’s to reopen ‘potentially within the next week’
At the November planning and zoning meeting a commission member asked City Manager Marty Corcoran about plans for a McDonald’s; he wouldn’t say yes or no.
Getzlow also said McDonald’s is in a holding pattern over the Big Bend location that closed in July. He had said it would reopen in August with a new owner.
See here for what it takes to open a McDonald’s.
What’s wrong with the location where they are now? That was a thriving corner & much missed.
Maybe someone else can confirm or deny: but as I understand it the current location is in a flood area so they can’t do much. They can’t tear it down and rebuild with one of the new modern McDonalds or even do much in the way remodeling.
I was really hoping for an upgrade at Manchester & Big Bend and/or Manchester & Southwest.
I would like an upgrade too Doug. But not a McDonalds in our downtown area. We need something more reflective of our eclectic shopping area.
Cathy, Possibly I was too subtle. We said the same thing. I believe McDonalds would be a serious downgrade to the upward image of Maplewood’s business district.
Lets just hope the city doesn’t allow them in the Church’s Chicken space.
The Church’s building and lot are too small for many fast food restaurants.
I thought the same thing, Cathy.
The corner of Big Bend and Manchester, where the Shell station is located, struggling mightily against its new neighbor, is my bet of where Mickey D’s lands. So glad we have the small biz charm of our Business District on Manchester from Sutton to Southwest…….Big Bend and Manchester is truly “Anywhere USA”…….QT, Whitey’s, CVS, Hortons and perhaps McD’s…..
Yeah, once the building where QT is now was torn down, all hope of a unique corner was lost. Now it could St. Charles, St. Ann, or as you said, “Anywhere USA.”
Take it even further back when CVS was allowed to build with a huge setback and parking lot PLUS leaving the spot behind for some sort of fast food restaurant. CVS should have been forced to build up against the corner.