By Amanda Galloway, special correspondent

On Wednesday, July 29 a new McDonald’s opened to the public in the Hancock Village Shopping Center near the Hull Street Road and Winterpock Road intersection.

With seating for 138, this McDonald’s offers a modern take on a classic favorite.  Complete with granite countertops, brick counters, video game stations, and flat screen televisions, the Hancock Village McDonald’s offers something special for all patrons.  Seating options are quite varied, including traditional booths and tables among bar stools, high booths, and an outdoor patio.

Owner and operator Dave Traub was responsible for designing the restaurant.

“McDonald’s is responsible for picking the location, but I get to design the inside to my own tastes.  I wanted something to match the community.  I also wanted a variety of seating options, hence the patio, the bar stools, and the high booths,” he said, gesturing around the interior.

While the interior of the restaurant is certainly impressive, Traub seems most proud of his promotion of green energy.  The Hancock Village McDonald’s has done its best to limit the amount of energy they use by installing florescent lighting, using LCD lighting in their signage, and installing reflective roofing to minimize heat absorption.

“We tried our best to be cognizant of the environment.  We’ve installed a variety of items that will provide substantial energy savings, but more importantly will help the environment,” he said. 

Traub started his career with McDonald’s back in 1971 when he was only 15.  In Pittsburg, he worked under Jimmy Delligatti, the inventor of the famous Big Mac.  After holding a variety of positions and working with McDonald’s for 36 years, Traub now owns 8 restaurants.  He has been operating in the Brandermill area for 13 years.

Having lived in Richmond since 1979, Traub is no stranger to the community.  Through his job with McDonald’s, he offers teacher appreciation breakfasts and book club prizes in local schools.  He also works with churches, participates in toy drives for underprivileged children in Amelia, and is active in the American Heart Association.

A hands-on operator, Traub worked among his crew in the drive thru window on opening day. 

“There was a great community response.  We have 70 employees, and the crew is exceptional.  Despite how busy we were [on opening day], everyone was laughing and had a positive attitude,” Traub said.

The Hancock Village McDonald’s is set to hold two Grand Opening celebrations, one on Saturday August 8 and the other on Saturday, August 22.

The celebration on the 8th will feature Mix 103, a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:45 AM, and drawings for prizes, which will include a Nintendo DS, a bicycle, and tickets to Washington Nationals games.  The Chesterfield Fire Department and Emergency Management Services will both be in attendance.  Ronald McDonald, perhaps the biggest draw of all, will be on site from 11 to 1.

Special deals for the ceremony will include $2 Angus Third Pounders and $4 Extra Value Meals.

Two weeks later, on the 22nd, McDonald’s will hold its second celebration, featuring K95.  Also running 11-1, there will be more raffles and giveaways and another appearance by Ronald McDonald.

Attendance to both events is free.