Cam Lee interviewing Raj Bains outside the new McDonald's in Melfort. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Big Mac Mania

McDonald’s opening in Melfort

Oct 18, 2019 | 8:00 AM

The golden arches are now open to the northeast.

McDonald’s has set up shop at the StoneGate Shopping Centre in Melfort. It was initially announced that the fast food giant purchased land at the site in 2017.

Owner/operator Raj Bains told northeastNOW that they’re excited to open their doors today.

“We’re very excited – the whole team is,” said Bains, who also owns a McDonald’s in Yorkton.

You may have noticed some activity at the McDonald’s a couple of days earlier, as the restaurant held a couple of pre-opening events for friends, family, and VIP’s on Wednesday. Bains said they wanted to do a dry run in preparation for what is expected to be a busy opening.

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McDonald’s held a pre-opening dry run for invited guests on Wednesday. (City of Melfort/Facebook)

“We have lots of new employees here, and they’re a little comfortable too when you are doing a dry run before you open the doors for the public, so they are more comfortable, more confident, and it builds the team spirit,” said Bains, who added the public can expect hot, fresh food and coffee when the doors open on Friday.

He is looking forward to bringing McDonald’s to the Melfort area.

“Our guests are our top priority and especially this community,” said Bains. “McDonald’s is coming in and is going to serve lots of rural communities and we are very excited, and even the community is very excited that McDonald’s coming in – they don’t have to drive 45 minutes to an hour and a half just to have a Big Mac, they can just come by and have what they want.”

The McDonald’s in Melfort is a first for the northeast, and Director of Development, Planning, and Community Relations Brent Lutz expects the restaurant to attract people to the city.

“It’s something that’s not available elsewhere [in the northeast] and it will draw people to the community,” said Lutz. “We expect that people throughout the region are going to take the opportunity to be able to experience McDonald’s near their home.”

Lutz welcomes the restaurant and Bains to Melfort, and wishes them success.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974