McChanges! 35-year-old restaurant will come down

New restaurant will be built on site

A major McChange is in store for the McDonald’s restaurant in Clear Lake.

Owner David Scherer has received necessary approval from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission to tear down the existing restaurant and construct a new building at the site.  No date for the temporary closing of the popular fast food restaurant has been set, according to Scherer.  However, it is expected to occur within the next few weeks.  McDonald’s will re-open in June, he said.  

The current McDonald’s has been renovated from time to time, but is in need of a larger space and new features, explained Scherer.  He recently went through the same process with the franchise location he owns in Mason City and said closing and razing the existing building and putting up a new one is a good, workable plan.  Typically the work is completed within 90 to 100 days, he said.

Design details were not available for the proposed new building, but Scherer said it will be similar to his Mason City west location with an expanded second drive-through lane. There will likely be at least one television inside, offering weather channel information for travelers.  There will be more seating and a more efficient set-up for employees.  

McDonald’s was first opened in Clear Lake in December 1978 by Scherer’s father.  At that time, it was the only fast food option in the area.  

“There was not much else out here at that time.  When my father started here the bathrooms were outside,” said Scherer.  His father retired in 2002 and he took over ownership of the property.  “Since then, the competitors have arrived.  And in the last 10 years there have been many.”

Scherer said the new McDonald’s will be slightly larger, but its layout will make it seem significantly bigger to guests.  

“In its 35 years it has been a highly used store,” said Scherer.  “We are looking forward to a new, fresh look to better serve our customers.”