Precision Time, a watch and clock repair shop at 1114 Missouri Blvd. in Jefferson City, will close Feb. 28 after more than 40 years, as its owner plans to retire.
John Martin said he’s been in business for 44 years, he’s 63 years old and he plans to semi-retire to do other things.
“It’s just time to retire,” Martin said.
Martin declined to comment further.
In an advertisement in today’s edition of the News Tribune announcing the store’s closure, Martin said it’s been an honor serving the Jefferson City community over the last 44 years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many loyal and faithful customers,” he said in the advertisement. “Without your support and patronage, the Precision Time Company would not have been possible.”
McDonald’s rehab underway
A McDonald’s location next to Schulte’s Fresh Foods in Jefferson City will undergo a renovation to update the restaurant’s exterior and interior.
Located at 1918 Jefferson St., the restaurant’s renovation will cost at least $640,000, according to building permits filed with Jefferson City.
The restaurant’s owner said the building will look more modern when it is finished.
Based in Sedalia, Chuck Marshall and his sister Stephani Marshall-Rice own 10 McDonald’s locations throughout central Missouri, including the one on Jefferson Street. Marshall estimated the building dates back to the 1980s.
The interior seating area and restrooms will be updated as part of the renovation. The exterior red soffit has been removed and will be replaced with an exterior resembling the boxy look of modern McDonald’s restaurants. Marshall said the store’s brick exterior likely will stay but will be painted to blend in with the rest of the building.
Marshall said he doesn’t know yet if the store will close briefly because of the renovation. He didn’t think the drive-thru, which is open 24 hours, would close regardless.
“I think we’ll probably have to close at some point,” Marshall said. “I’m not sure when that is. It’ll be just a few days.”
Marshall said the renovation is part of the siblings’ plan to modernize all of their restaurants. New self-serve kiosks also will be installed at the location. The kiosks stand several feet tall and look like giant tablets, allowing customers to order items via touch-screen and pay electronically. McDonald’s planned to roll out the self-serve kiosks to 2,500 U.S. restaurants by the end of 2017.
Marshall said most people think the kiosks replace employees who would otherwise take orders. Instead, Marshall said the focus is on making food faster.
“We’re trying to maximize the kitchen,” she said.
The location plans to hire more employees because of the renovation. Marshall said the store needs employees in all positions.
“We’re still looking for smiling faces,” Marshall said.
Cricket Wireless opens new store
A new store selling phones and cellphone plans from AT&T subsidiary Cricket Wireless opened last week at Capital Mall.
A grand opening celebrated the store’s debut Saturday.
The store is located in the mall’s C Wing; it has an exterior and an interior entrance. Hours will be 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 pm. Sundays.
“We want to make our products and services easily accessible to shoppers,” Bobby Terhune, market director for Cricket Wireless, said in a news release. “This new store will help us do that.”
Cricket Wireless authorized retailer Gateway Wireless owns and operates the store. Mobile phone-authorized retailers often offer different warranties and return policies for phones than phones owned directly by wireless carriers.
Another Cricket Wireless authorized retailer exists at 1412 Missouri Blvd.
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