Sonic goes 'retro'
By JOSIE BARTEL
Contributing writer
With the image of the fallen golden arches of McDonald's in Hillsboro still fresh in some people's minds, seeing pieces of Sonic Drive-in falling to the ground the past couple weeks made some folks uneasy.
Sonic is undergoing a "retro-fit," which is a throw-back to the 1950s when Sonic Drive-ins were new.
Inside there is new equipment, a double-stacked heating table, and a new fry station. However, most of the changes are outside.
A sleek, silver canopy with neon lights replaced the old red and yellow canopy. In place of the red picnic tables, silver and yellow tables, capable of seating four, sport flat tabletops. All of the black poles by each "drive-in" stall has been painted green.
In addition, the front of the building has a new look with a lighted "Big Splash" sign right above the picture windows and dome canopy.
The entire building will receive a new coat of dark gray paint. The old wall posters have been replaced by lighted signs. New fluorescent lights and menu housings enhance each stall.
Eldon Maxwell, general contractor for Valor Construction, oversaw the project. However, many local subcontractors completed most of the work.
Sonic manager, Trent Elmquist has mixed feelings about the remodeling project and its affect on business.
On one hand, he said it may have slowed business down because some of the stalls were blocked periodically.
On the other hand, he said it might have drawn the attention of more people out because of their natural curiosity.
Sonic employees also were inconvenienced during the remodel. Much of the employee/patio parking was blocked with construction equipment and new pieces. Many employees parked on the street just south of the restaurant for the duration of their shifts.
The project, which began Sept. 4, was expected to be completed Sept. 11. Because of weather and other delays, the project has run over.
Elmquist is dissatisfied with the way the progress.
Some needed parts were missing. The Big Splash sign needed for the front of the building was shipped to Tennessee. When it was shipped back to Kansas, it was damaged. Another sign was ordered and shipped overnight, and now adorns the front of the building.
Currently, the drive-in only has half the lights it should have, making for a dim location in the evening and early morning. That dimness raises safety concerns for customers and employees.
Many of the neon lights are not working yet because electricians are waiting on fixtures. Elmquist is unsure when all the lighting issues will be resolved.
"We were told it would take a week. We're setting at two," Elmquist said. "We had high expectations for how it would look for the Arts and Crafts Fair (traditionally Sonic's busiest day) and we were disappointed," he concluded.
While it may be taking longer than anticipated, customers certainly will notice a difference when the project is completed. For the most part, they'll get a jolt of nostalgia and a reminder of simpler times.
