Globe McDonald’s sees end of an era

Holly Sow/ Arizona Silver Belt On Tuesday, Aug. 14 the Globe McDonald’s restaurant was demolished after serving Globe residents for nearly four decades. A new facility is currently being built adjacent to the former building and is tentatively scheduled to open on Oct. 3, 2012.

Globe — Globe’s McDonald’s may not have served billions over the years, but it has welcomed over four generations of Globe, Miami and San Carlos residents. Whether it was a special birthday party with Ronald and the gang, or an after prom meeting place, the Globe McDonald’s has watched its customer base grow over the years, sharing good times and happy memories.

Originally built in 1974, the old McDonald’s restaurant in Globe closed its doors for the last time on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012.

Then, on Monday, Aug. 13, initial preparations were made to tear down the iconic fast food store in Globe. On Tuesday at approximately high noon, the shovel of a crane rose up against the blue Arizona sky and dropped down on the red clay shingles, sending them crashing to the ground.

Using an excavator (with two bulldozers for clean up), nearly 80 percent of the above ground portion of the building was demolished in only 30 minutes.

Taylor’s Demolition and Recycling out of Tucson is taking care of the demolition and will be recycling and salvaging the materials that can be reused from the demolition. This includes metal , concrete, cinder blocks, etc. Owner and excavator operator, Eric Taylor stressed the importance to keep as much of the reusable materials out of landfills as possible. Day three of the demolition got down and dirty with the excavator breaking through 9 inches of concrete slab into the former basement where among other things walk in freezer was kept. The only standing remnant of the former building was the corner piece of the wall that once protected the playground area. The corner wall bore only the street number.

For the complete article see the 08-22-2012 issue.

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