VIDALIA, La. &045; Vidalia residents will soon have a place closer to home to get their Big Macs.

A new McDonald’s, in the works for nearly a year, will open sometime this week, owner Gary Small said. &uot;We are going to be open by the end of the month and hopefully before the weekend,&uot; Small said.

The previous McDonald’s, on the same site as the new one, burned down in July 2004, forcing Vidalia residents with a craving for McDonald’s to cross the river to Natchez.

Work on the new Vidalia McDonald’s began in March.

The new McDonald’s will have a more modern look in line with others built in the past few years across the country, Small said. That includes wrought iron decorations and special lighting fixtures.

Construction workers are doing final work on facility to get it ready, but all the big jobs have been done.

&uot;It’s just little things now like the trim work and installing registers and security systems,&uot; Small said.

The staff will also have to train on the equipment at the store. They have been training at the three McDonald’s locations in Natchez owned by Small.

Phyllis Small, Gary’s wife, said she always has worries the final week before a new store opens. &uot;Anything that can happen will. Until that door opens, I don’t really believe it will happen,&uot; she said.

Gary Small said the store will have 60-65 employees at full capacity.