Mcdonalds, Skippers Plan New Stores Burger Chain Across From U-City Since 1968 Will Be Closed Down

Thu., Oct. 7, 1999

By Robin Rivers robinr@spokesman.com

Two fast food favorites are relocating in the Spokane Valley.

McDonald’s is building a new restaurant at University City Shopping Center, while Skippers Seafood ‘N Chowder House plans to remodel and move into the former Boston Market restaurant at 13920 E. Sprague.

The new McDonald’s will open by the third week of November, said Cory Ray, director of operations for Spokane Food Services, the local franchise owner.

But in this case, gaining a new McDonald’s means losing another. The burger chain’s restaurant across Sprague from U-City, which opened in 1968 as the second McDonald’s in the Spokane area, will close Nov. 14.

Store No. 1319 will then be “de-arched” by a team from McDonald’s that will remove the signature roof, the famed golden arches and any other identifying features from the building, Ray said.

The move came about because McDonald’s lease on the building it currently occupies will expire at the end of the year.

The U-City location, fronting along the south side of Sprague Avenue, also will ensure better access and visibility once the Valley Couplet is completed and traffic in the area is rerouted. Once the couplet opens, Sprague Avenue will carry westbound traffic east of University Road, while a newly built road just south of U-City will carry eastbound traffic.

“You want to be in the middle,” Ray said. “This is bound to bring in business.”

The new McDonald’s, store No. 22,652, is roughly the same size as the store it replaces, seating 96 people. There will be no Playland or other special theme amenities.

Down the street, Skippers will make its return to the Valley at the former Boston Market location, just east of Evergreen Road on Sprague Avenue.

It’s been four years since Skippers vacated its longtime home at 11618 E. Sprague. That building is now occupied by Ivar’s seafood restaurant.

After some minor remodeling, Skippers plans to open for business on Nov. 1.

The Edmonds, Wash.-based company runs more than 90 restaurants in five states.

There are currently two Skippers restaurants in the Spokane area; one in north Spokane and one on the South Hill.

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