BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
With World Cup soccer on TV and surrounded by sports memorabilia, Jack Readnour of Fort Mitchell has coffee at the sports McDonald's on Hazelwood Drive.
(Tony Jones photo)
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CRESCENT SPRINGS -- While chomping down on a Big Mac or standing in line to purchase a milkshake, your eyes may gaze around the walls of this McDonald's. The walls here don't talk, but they're sure to start a few conversations. From a wall display of University of Kentucky memorabilia, including an autographed jersey by Coach Tubby Smith and his players, to another wall featuring Cincinnati Bengals memorabilia, sports fans feel at home.
Two sections of the wall near the store's entrance are dedicated to the Big Red Machine and a more modern collection of Reds collectibles.
"The original idea to do a sports theme came from my good friend and neighbor Boomer Esiason," said store owner Paul Groen, who is remodeling the Hazelwood Drive restaurant he purchased one year ago.
When patrons aren't busy talking about the memorabilia on the walls, they can watch their favorite sports programs on the four new color televisions mounted in the center of the store. On weekday mornings, customers can also watch local news programs, CNN or the Price is Right. Cartoons are shown on two monitors on Saturday mornings for kids.
"We've had numerous people come in here, and it's just overwhelming to them," said store supervisor Tim Oehler, who thought to install the TV monitors. "We're wanting to make this a meeting place."
A display case is filled with UK basketball memorabilia.
(Tony Jones photo)
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Display cases on the walls and toward the middle of the store feature local high school sports. A display at the front of the store includes UK collectibles.
All of the memorabilia encased in the middle of the store was donated from Hometown Sports Collectibles Inc. in Crescent Springs. The displays will be updated from time to time.
"We hope it will be the kind of thing where customers come in and say, "Gee, look what they got in there now.' In other words, we're going to keep it fresh. We don't want it to get stale," said Mr. Groen of Villa Hills, who owns the memorabilia on the walls.
"We're community-minded. "One of the reasons why I liked Boomer's idea is because it was something unusual. It's all about creating interest for customers," said Mr. Groen, whose wife helped decorate the store.
The remodeling, expected to be completed next month, has also included painting the exterior. Other touch-up jobs will include adding carpet to the back of the restaurant and changing the padding on the seats. The restrooms are also being revamped to include borders of men and women sports figures.
Crescent Springs resident Matt Lilleston, who made a purchase Thursdayat the fast-food restaurant, said the renovations are unique.
"It's been well-received. I want my customers to feel good when they come into McDonald's," said Mr. Groen, who owns four other McDonald's stores in Northern Kentucky.
