Retro-style McDonald’s opens in Brewer Mayor, city officials on hand for ceremony

BREWER – Elvis Presley’s voice crooned in the background and vintage-1950s cars decorated the exterior of the renovated McDonald’s restaurant that opened Tuesday on outer Wilson Street in Brewer. The retro restaurant, featuring a 1950s decor, had been closed since August and reopened to a full-house crowd for breakfast followed by a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m.

Officials including Brewer Mayor Gail Kelly and economic developer Andrew “Drew” Sachs were on hand for the official opening of the facility. There are only 15 or 20 McDonald’s restaurants nationwide with the “retro 50s” look, according to owner Gary Eckmann.

Eckmann, who owns McDonald’s restaurants in Bangor, Brewer and Dover-Foxcroft, said the old McDonald’s was razed on the site because of its age and condition to make way for the new facility. Eckmann said the retro McDonald’s facilities nationwide do well economically, and customers are attracted to the nostalgic, light-hearted atmosphere. Jukeboxes, vintage-1950s posters and a glittering disco ball suspended from the ceiling are key features in the dining area. The food prices, however, reflect those of the 21st century.

The fast-food restaurant will employ 60 to 70 people full time or part time. The Noyes Construction Co. of Bangor was the main construction contractor.