LAVALE — After months of demolition, site preparation and construction, visitors to the LaVale McDonald’s will find a very different restaurant from the one that had been on the spot along National Highway for over 30 years.

“It’s definitely modern,” John Beckman of Cumberland said. “It’s really cool. The service seems to be great. It’s a big improvement.”

John, along with his wife Jessica and daughters Desiree, Lexis, Emma and Ella, was at the grand opening event on Saturday, and Desiree definitely was excited.

“When I came in the door, the Hamburglar gave me a hug,” Desiree said. “I like this place.”

Jessica said she felt the changes were an improvement as well, and John said it was the most noticeable at the parking lot.

He said he knew the McDonald’s had been renovated, but it was a surprise for the family when, after Lexis’ soccer match, they found they were coming right in the middle of the grand opening weekend for “Lunch with Hamburglar.”

The events will continue today with Breakfast with Birdie from 8 to 10 a.m., with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. including a performance by Dixon Dance Studio. At 2:30 p.m., Ronald McDonald and his friends will be having shows and then from 3 to 5 p.m., there will be face painting and a balloon artist.

The restaurant had its “soft opening” since Aug. 14, but these activities mark the new building’s official opening to the public.

The new restaurant also features a first for the area, McCafe gourmet coffees.

Mark Bittner, operations consultant for six restaurants in the area, said that part of the reason the renovation was necessary was to accommodate the McCafe coffee, as it is incorporated into the drive-through serving area.

The old drive-through, Bittner said, was only large enough for one employee, who had to walk down about five stairs to get to the serving window. Not only was it too small to allow the machine for the coffee, but it also prevented other employees from helping at the drive-through during a rush.

Despite the changes from the old restaurant, Debbie Llewellyn, store manager, said the regulars have re-turned.

“There have been good responses,” Llewellyn said. “They’re glad to be back. Everyone seems to like the new store. It has more of a laid-back atmosphere.”

Bittner said the same group of people who used to come in every morning prior to the renovation are back again.

Bob Turner, operations manager for much of Western Maryland’s corporately owned stores, said there have been some travelers as well who weren’t aware there was even a new store being constructed. He said they have seemed impressed by the changes.

“Basically, we look at keeping it forever young,” Turner said. “We keep (our restaurants) relevant and contemporary. There’s something here for all the customers, whether they’re grabbing their sandwich and leaving or here to sit for a while.”

An added encouragement to spend time in the restaurant are two new flat screen televisions. Turner said that they seem to be a feature the regulars have enjoyed.

Overall, Bittner said he’s very pleased with the restaurant, saying that he thinks, at night, with up lighting illuminating the building, it is “very beautiful.”

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.