Wednesday, February 17, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
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Mass. St. McDonald's closing
Downtown eatery will be replaced by Mexican grill
By Heather Woodward
Kanson staff writer
McDonald's, home of the all-beef patty and special sauce, is closing its 911 Massachusetts St. location for good on Saturday. Chippele Mexican Grill, a Denver-based restaurant chain, will take its place and is expected to open in Mav.
With up to 65 percent of customers using the drive-through window instead of going into the restaurant, McDonald's was at a disadvantage on Massachusetts Street from the start, said Marilyn Dobski, of franchisee Dobski and Associates.
"We're closing it after many long hours of deliberation," Dobski said. "We do regret it, but we had to do it because of lower than expected traffic flow to this location."
McDonald's opened on Massachusetts Street in 1995. Dobski has four other McDonald's locations in Lawrence and eight other locations in Kansas. Dobski said she had until March 1 to vacate the restaurant.
The McDonald's on Massachusetts employs 15 people, and 12 of them work part-time.
"No one's going to lose a job," Dobski said. "Everyone has been offered alternate employment."
Chipotle is just one of many restaurants that offer Mexican food at low prices to open on Massachusetts Street in the past year, including New York Burrito Gourmet Wraps, 939 Massachusetts St., and Z-Teca Mexican Grill, 743 Massachusetts St.
Mike Appleby, a cook at Coco Loco Mexican Cafe, 943 Massachusetts St. said he would miss McDonald's. "There are so many Mexican places on Massachusetts Street already," said Appleby, Shawnee freshman. "One more is just going
to flood the area. I eat at McDonald's every day on the way to work."
Chipotle was founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Since then, the company has opened 16 Colorado restaurants and two in Kansas City.
Dan Fogarty, marketing director for Chipotle and 1984 KU graduate, said the company had wanted to open a restaurant in Lawrence for some time but just hadn't found the right location. He said Lawrence was an attractive city because of its student population.
The main menu item at Chipotle is a 1 1/4 pound burrato that customers can have made to their taste for about $5.
"Chippele is very focused on its menu." Fogarty said. "They make everything there in the restaurant."
"The first restaurant we opened was near the University of Denver campus," Fogarty said. "It has been really popular with the students there. It's a good alternative to fast food."
Man arrested for armed robbery
Following an 18-hour stakeout at a local hotel, a 21-year-old Lawrence man was arrested at 12:20 p.m. Monday on suspicion of committing an armed bank robbery, said Sgt. Mack S. Pryor of the Lawrence Police Department.
By Katie Burford
Kansan staff writer
The man was arrested as he was leaving the Comfort Inn, 740 Iowa St., which he had checked into Sunday night.
Police had been investigating the man's connection to the robbery for some time when they received a call from Crimestoppers that confirmed their suspicions.
"He was on a list of possibilities," said Sgt. George T. Wheeler of the Lawrence Police Department. "The Crimes停器 tip moved him up the list."
Police had interviewed the man's friends during their investigations. His friends told police that the man wanted to be in a shoot-out with police, Pryor said. The 25 law enforcement agents involved in the stakeout took precautions to avoid
this, he said. The FBI and U.S. Attorney's office also have been involved in the case.
The man was unarmed at the time of his arrest.
The woman refused to give him the money she had withdrawn from the ATM, police said. After struggling get her purse, the man gave up and drove off in a car that police later discovered was stolen.
The getaway car used in the Jan. 19 bank robbery was carjacked in Overland Park and later found abandoned in a parking lot near McCollum Hall.
Police said they had probable cause to believe that the man also robbed a woman at gunpoint at 12:30 p.m. j.m. At 15 emprate Birch, 2435 Iowa St.
When the man checked into the Comfort Inn on Sunday night, he was driving a car that had been reported stolen Friday from the 1800 block of Vermont Street.
Pryor said the man was now in federal custody.
Police have not said how much money was stolen from the bank. Pryor said the police didn't expect to
recover the money because the man said it already had been spent.
The man also told police where he had thrown the weapon used in the robbery, but police haven't recovered it.
Catching the thief
AUDITIONS FOR ROCK CHALK REVIEW PRE-SHOW ENTERTAINMENT WILL BE HELD FEB 21ST
Jan. 15 - Suspect believed to have robbed a woman at gunpoint outside Emprise Bank, 2435 Iowa St.
- 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Jan 19 — Suspect believed to have carjacked vehicle in Overland Park. The car was later found in a parking lot near McColum Hall.
Monday — After an 18-hour stakeout by local authorities, the suspect was apprehended at Comfort Inn, 740 Iowa St. He was using a car that was reported stolen Friday in the 1800 block of Vermont Street.
Kyle Ramsey/KANSAN
- 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• English room in Kansas Union
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400 Kansas Union
• 864-4033
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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES With Holy Communion & Imposition of Ashes February 17th 7:00a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
IMMANUAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
University Student Center 15th & Iowa 843-0620 "Angels Watch in Solemn Wonder" Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. as you join in God's faithful people in our Lenten pilgrimage to the foot of the Cross
In today's fast paced world Who is really leading?
Discover the tools that you need to succeed. The Twelfth Annual Blueprint Leadership Conference
Blueprints Leadership Conference
Saturday, February 27, 1999
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For More Information Call:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Kansas Union
The Student Organization and Leadership Development Center
884.4911
864-4861
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