The West Seattle McDonald’s location south of the Morgan Junction will reopen on December 12!” according to owner Alia Abboud. 

She said in an email that “The store will open from 7 am to 8 pm and will be Drive-Thru only to allow the employees to learn the new side-by-side drive-thru and get fully comfortable with the new operations and communications system.

As we move forward, we will extend our hours as we gain staffing levels to provide the best possible service to our community, to include opening the lobby for dine-in customers. We are very excited to once again be open to serve our many wonderful customers in the West Seattle neighborhood!”

First opened in 1963 the McDonald's at 6546 California Ave SW was supposed to be remodeled in 2000, more than 23 years ago. Changes and updates were made along the way but the complete remodel was something that was not allowed by the parent corporation. 

But after the remodel was complete at the Westwood Village location, it was time for the location on California Ave. in mid April..

Some remodels of older McDonald's locations are so extensive, they require franchisees to raze restaurants and rebuild from scratch. As a result, remodel costs range from $160,000 to about $750,000, depending on the scope of the project, McDonald’s said.

For stores completed by 2020, McDonald’s pays 55 percent of the remodel costs. Operators completing makeovers in 2021 or 2022 will receive less funding – or 40 percent of the costs, McDonald’s has stated.

Near the end of 2018, about 7,000 restaurants, or close to half the U.S. locations, have installed new “Experience of the Future” look. That's the case in the remodel here too. It  features modern furniture, kiosks, curbside pick-up, upgraded drive-thrus, power outlets for charging devices and an Uber Eats pick-up counter for delivery orders.