The ribbon is finally cut on the new McDonald's location in Nanuet.
While the new location , the biggest delay in the ribbon cutting was merely a dull pair of novelty scissors. Or it could’ve just been that they were novelty scissors.
Either way, when Councilman Frank Borelli and Catherine Nowicki, of the Clarkstown Economic Development Office tried to cut the red ribbon in front of McDonald’s on Tuesday, nothing happened. Others tried pulling on the ribbon to create more tension, others helped trying to work the scissors, and finally, the ribbon was just ripped in half.
“They gave us a scissor that wasn’t sharp, it just didn’t cut,” Borelli said. “The important thing is they’re open for business.”
He added that they’re employing 80-plus people.
“We’re happy to see Nanuet be the beneficiary of a revitalized business,” he said. “Instead of business closing in other parts of the state, here in Clarksown they’re being revitalized and opening anew.”
Representatives from McDonald's were on hand—as were members from the Nanuet Volunteer Fire Company—as McDonald's gave the company a $250 donation. McDonald's also donated $200 to Nanuet High School and Highview Elementary School.
Domenick V. Giovinazzo, ex-Nanuet Fire Chief, was one of the people on hand to accept the donation. Something else they did was show the firefighters around the new building.
“It’s great they’re keeping us in the loop,” he said. “They took us on a tour in case there’s ever a fire here so we know how to get around inside. And now we know everyone here, we’re on a first-name basis with them. We’re comfortable with them and know our way around this building. That’s something I wish more businesses would do.”
John Santonastasso, McDonald's operations manager for New York and New Jersey, said the new location is looking for other groups and schools to work with to give back to the community.