New Ridgeway McDonald’s ‘busy right off the bat’ since opening July 24
August 10, 2024 at 4:25 AM
Grimace wasn’t the only familiar face on hand for an official grand opening ceremony at the new McDonald’s in Ridgeway on Thursday.
An official grand opening of the new Ridgeway McDonald’s was held Thursday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThe rotund and purple mascot was joined by members of town council, Mayor Wayne Redekop, MPP Wayne Gates, MP Tony Baldinelli, Regional Councillor Tom Insinna, as well as representatives from the Town of Fort Erie to cut the ribbon at the new fast-food restaurant, neighbouring a new LCBO store under construction and set to open this year.
Grimace and various dignitaries cut the ribbon at the new McDonald’s in Ridgeway Thursday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThe Gorham Road McDonald’s is operated by Matthew Katz, a third-generation franchisee who has seven other locations in the region: three in Niagara Falls, two in Niagara-on-the-Lake, one in Welland, and one in Fonthill.
His grandfather Al Katz opened the first McDonald’s in Niagara on Ontario Street in St. Catharines and his father Michael Katz brought the first set of golden arches to Niagara Falls.
Laurie Katz, Matthew’s sister, owns four locations in Niagara.
It’s a family business, Katz told Fort Erie Radio on Thursday at an event that welcomed invited guests.
Matthew Katz, owner of the new McDonald’s in Ridgeway, speaks to guests at an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThe restaurant opened on July 24 and “was busy right off the bat,” said Katz, noting the desirable location along the route from the QEW to Crystal Beach, a bustling tourist destination.
“I’m glad we opened in the summer as I know how busy it gets with the beach,” he said.
The Ridgeway location currently employs 92 people, said Katz, who also operates the site with his wife Jacquelyn.
Katz and his team also made a donation of $2,000 to Feed Niagara at Thursday’s event.
The McDonald’s is the first tenant in a much larger plan for the area, which includes a new LCBO store, other commercial and mixed uses, and potentially a new grocery store.
A new LCBO store is under construction next to a new McDonald’s in Ridgeway. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThe property is owned by local commercial developers David Kompson and Anthony Annunziata.
In an interview with Fort Erie Radio, Annunziata said he “can’t get into the details” involving negotiations about a new grocery store, but that the site plan process for the second phase of the Ridgeway Centre is already underway.
“There’s not a commercial zone of this scale anywhere in Ridgeway,” Annunziata said, adding that this project will be “significant for the area.”
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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