New amenities highlight McDonald's

McDonald's employees prepare refreshments for VIPs and invited guests during a ribbon cutting for the new McDonald's at 2224 S. Main St. on Wednesday night. The restaurant opened at 5 a.m. today for the general public.(Laurie Sisk/Tribune)

The new McDonald's at 2224 S. Main St. has moved from its old location -- a total distance of about four feet to the north, owner Mark McCoy joked.

But the minor move is just one of many changes customers can expect as the new and improved restaurant opens its doors today after closing in July to construct the new eatery.

The new McDonald's features high-definition televisions, free touch-screen video games for children, a larger parking lot and a double-lane drive-thru.

Madisyn McCoy, 3, checks out one of the free video games with her mother, Reannon McCoy before a ribbon cutting for the new McDonald's at 2224 S. Main St. on Wednesday night. Madisyn is the granddaughter of owner Mark McCoy.(Laurie Sisk/Tribune)

Bryan Holt, chairman of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed guests to the event, followed by an invocation from Father Robert Wachter, of Mary Queen of Angels.

"As your son, our Lord fed the 5,000, may we serve our thousands with great care and a dutiful attitude. Let friendship be shown to all who venture here," Wachter said.

The VFW Post 1165 Honor Guard then presented the colors, followed by a solo trumpet performance of the Star Spangled Banner by Steve Harry as the flag was raised.

Scores of VIPs and invited guests gather for a ribbon cutting at the new McDonald's at 2224 S. Main St. on Wednesday night.(Laurie Sisk/Tribune)

Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin said owners Mark and Mo McCoy are a "perfect example of being involved in all aspects of the city for all the citizens. If there is a need, they are going to be there to get it done. We have a lot of people in this great community that do that as well, but I just want to say thank you from the city. We appreciate you investing in Fort Scott."

McCoy then welcomed guests, alongside numerous family members.

"We believe in Fort Scott," McCoy said "Fort Scott is on the move, no matter what people think or no matter what other people tell you. We have had a lot of progress in this town. We should all be proud of what goes on in our town. It's about being a town and a family of people working together."

McCoy said the new restaurant is about 1,000 square feet larger than the previous one.

McDonald's has an agreement with First Interstate Inn, located just north of restaurant, for a redesigned driveway between the two properties, McCoy has said.

The project also involved the addition of another driveway to the restaurant on U.S. Highway 69 and a new sidewalk in front of the restaurant. The driveway entrance on 23rd Street was moved up to line up with the driveway at Citizens Bank, located at the corner of 23rd Street and U.S. 69, and The Tannery, located on 23rd Street near McDonald's, to improve that intersection area and make it easier for vehicles to make left turns on 23rd Street and U.S. 69, McCoy has said.