The Fargo McDonald’s on 45th Street and 19th Avenue South, closed since an Oct. 30 grease fire damaged the restaurant, is targeted to reopen March 1.

Fargo and Moorhead fire departments responded to an Oct. 30 kitchen fire at the Fargo McDonalds at 4501 19th Ave. S. Dan Haglund / The Forum

In addition to refinishing and repairing fire damage, the business is also remodeling the exterior, adding storage space, and making the grill area more efficient, said Gregg Matejka, director of operations.

Customers are eager for the restaurant to reopen, Matejka said, adding that he is often asked when that will happen.

“It’s a very good location so there are a lot of people who miss it,” he said.

Employees were relocated to other Fargo McDonald’s locations. Many of them moved to the new McDonald’s that opened in the Love’s Travel Stops & Country Store at 32nd Avenue South and Interstate 29 a couple weeks after the fire, Matejka said.

The 45th Street McDonald’s is now hiring in preparation for the March reopening.