For starters today, there are a couple of things needing to be pointed out as it relates to the downtown Clarksburg McDonald’s that has been in operation for roughly 50 years.

 

First, the restaurant is closed as in temporarily. That means it plans on reopening. And the plans are to reopen quickly.

 

Second, it is not being torn down and being built back like several under the John Ebert ownership umbrella have had happen in the past. It will be on the same site as it has been for the better part of the last five decades.

 

The rebuild is not new fixtures or fancy new flooring. According to Clarksburg Mayor Jimmy Marino, there will be $250,000 worth of upgrades based on the building permit.

 

Finally, it is not relocating. Not on the site of the former downtown Kroger. Not on the site of the new Kroger at Eastpointe, and not at any other location dreamed up by someone who heard something from someone and decided it was fact and should be on social media.

 

The temporary closure came to my attention last week when I saw multiple social media posts on a flyer being handed out at the restaurant announcing the temporary closure. It all seemed pretty clear. Well, it did until you read the comments or saw posts without the flyer that led to the need to post what is written above.

 

That said, the downtown Clarksburg McDonald’s is an iconic location that, according to Clarksburg McDonald’s Supervisor (downtown and NewPointe) Kevin Murphy, saw construction in 1972 or early 1973. That would make it one of the oldest restaurants in Harrison County and, as far as franchise, perhaps the oldest still in the same spot.

 

I do not remember the construction. I do remember, however, being in the restaurant shortly thereafter. The early 70s’ version of the Toquinto family was like most families at the time, you did not go out to eat often. If you go out to eat, it was a rarity.

 

My first memories of McDonald’s were birthday parties. It was a big deal to get invited to any party as a kid decades ago. And it was a big deal going to one at the Clarksburg McDonald’s where you went on a tour of the building, got to make your own ice cream cone, and got a special visit to the basement.

 

That is correct. The Clarksburg McDonald’s on Pike Street had – still has and will continue to have – a basement.

 

“In those early days there were birthday parties downstairs, and they were also held in the lobby,” said Murphy. “We eventually phased out the parties in the basement and it is primarily for storage, but early on it was definitely used for parties.”

 

For those wondering why keep a basement during a remodel, you may want to consider this. The owner of the property is Bridgeport businessman John Ebert (J.W. Ebert Corporation) and a few years ago while talking with him following a BHS football win at his store in Elkins, we talked about the size of the downtown store.

 

I am not 100 percent certain, but I was thinking he told me it was the smallest footprint for an outdoor location in the country. If not, it certainly has to be in the running.

 

“It sits on .51 acres,” said Murphy. “For comparison, the one in Bridgeport sits on more than two acres.”

 

Despite the small size, the downtown Clarksburg McDonald’s is almost always busy. Drive past there in the early morning hours and the drive through is stretched around the building and occasionally onto Pike Street. It is part of the reason that Ebert acquired the franchise – his oldest is the one in Bridgeport – along with a few others from the previous franchise operator.

 

Since then, Ebert has been involved with several renovations. For my age group, you may remember hanging out there in high school and sitting outside on the patio. That, said Murphy, was eliminated in the late 1980s and became enclosed seating.

 

Murphy said another big renovation came in the 1990s with a remodel of the lobby. Since then, there have been many changes, new equipment, and other changes. This, however, is the biggest project ever done on the location.

 

“I know some wonder why it is not being torn down and built back up, but the structure of this building is still very sound,” said Murphy. “The shell will essentially be the same when this project is complete.”

 

There will be some cosmetic exterior differences, but the inside will be completely different as far as seating, the dynamics of flow, and the entire blueprint of operations. One thing that cannot change due to the size is adding another drive through lane.

 

“We just don’t have the ability to do two lanes, but we are changing it in a way to add a few more cars to be added to help with operations,” said Murphy.

 

One thing that will leave the outside is the canopy over the drive through. For anyone whoever broke down or ran out of gas while there – and yours truly did that in the 1980s and required a push from a few inebriated folks from the old Grasshopper to get out of traffic – will appreciate it.

 

“Getting in and out of the parking lot will be easier,” he said.

 

The goal is to open back up July 1. Max Construction, which does plenty of work on McDonald’s and knows the game plan, is managing the work, Murphy said.

 

Even better, it is not the first go round for Ebert. Ebert, a community leader on the business front by just about any standard, has 40 stores. Most of his sites are in West Virginia, but Murphy said he has a few in Maryland and Pennsylvania as well.

 

“You look back to his original store in Bridgeport and how he has advanced, and the investment made in communities through these renovations and projects,” said Murphy. “McDonald’s is about change and keeping things modern. It’s safe to say the location and McDonald’s is doing well and when it opens up, it will be completely up to date with all new equipment and, we believe, an even better customer experience.”

 

Murphy said the finished product has another goal. He hopes to see more families come back to dine in.

 

“We want that,” he said.

 

While that may be a bit trickier in the COVID drive-through, order out era, Ebert and McDonald’s are giving you 250,000 reasons to give it a dine in try. It just will not be across the road at the old Kroger site, but it will be open.

 

Regardless of what you read on social media.

 

Editor's Note: Photos are from the McDonald's site, including second and third showing construction taking place in a furious fashion Friday morning.