The McDonald’s on Norman Drive is transforming daily into a brand-new McDonald’s after the old building was torn down at the location at St. Augustine and Norman Drive a few weeks ago.

The popular annual Kid-O-Ween and Phobia events at Wild Adventures are scaring up some screams beginning this week.

From Friday, Sept. 30, through Halloween, visitors to the park can have as frightening an experience as they choose. Visiting the Kid-O-Ween area is great for those who want the mildest of experiences. It’s family friendly and features animals, magic, a maze and more.

For those who really enjoy being scared, Phobia is back and bigger than ever. The haunted swamp area has a lot of new features added this year, and visitors can follow the legend of how the swamp came to be as they walk the haunted trail. Following a good scary hike, where I understand you may even see a famous skunk ape, you can watch a magic show geared to adults, ride rides and enjoy the theme park.

Wild Adventures will be open Friday and Saturday nights from dusk to 11 p.m. and your 2011 pass still works as will a 2012 pass, available for purchase this week. Kid-O-Ween is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. so the small goblins don’t get frightened by the entertainment meant for more mature audiences.

Strongly suggested: check the website for information on concerts, which may delay the opening of the Phobia area on certain nights, and for a list of rides, as some will be closed for the season.

Sounds like it will be a hauntingly good time!

Business Roundup

The McDonald’s on St. Augustine will be rebuilt apparently in no time.

The walls are up and the work is continuing fast and furious. I’d say two more weeks.

The new Diggadee’s is open on Bemiss Road where the Krystal used to be, and, unfortunately, it looks like Pirates Bluff is closed again.

The new GoWaiter service is signing up restaurants for its unique delivery service and should be up and running in a few weeks.

There is a new center for Bariatric Surgery opening in Valdosta next week. It’s a satellite center for a practice out of Jacksonville, and they will do before and after care for patients who’ve had the lap band and other similar procedures as well as perform the procedures here.

There will soon be a new women’s clothing store in the Valdosta Mall, Maurices, and the Shoe Department in the mall recently moved closer to Belk’s in a much larger location.

The new Drury Inn which will accompany the Olive Garden has its building permit in today’s Homefront. Work on the site off St. Augustine is progressing well and all should be open sometime after the first of the year.

There is a new place on Hill Avenue near Wendy’s that is now the Stay Inn Suites. I believe it’s where the old Shoney’s Inn used to be.

No word still on the “buffet” going into the old Sonic in Lake Park and also no word yet on an opening date for Chow Town on Baytree, but workers have been all over the building this week getting it ready.

Las Banderas has moved its Mexican store from North Patterson Street next to their location on Baytree Road.

The new Maryland Fried Chicken on North Ashley Street is being constructed still, and the demolition is still going on where the doctor’s office / spa was on Northside Drive.

With several local families displaced this week due to fire, don’t forget to send your items and donations to the Red Cross.

That’s it for this week, but if there’s something I missed, please let me know!