What's in Store: New golden arches offers up new jobs in Langley

There’s upwards of 85 new jobs in the making, thanks to the addition of just one restaurant currently under construction in north Willoughby.

Ron Knight, soon to be the owner of a third McDonald’s restaurant in north Langley, is pretty excited about the triangular-shaped customized structure McDonald’s has chosen to build, in what he called one of the fast growing neighbourhood of Langley.

He was approached this spring by the McDonald’s corporation, and asked if he’d take on a new restaurant on the northeast corner of 200th Street and 84th Avenue – a location they identified as ideal for another McDonald’s.

He was quick to agree. And he was equally quick to be immersed in the planning and construction. He’s been watching as the structure goes up and the accents get added, noting it comes complete with a fireplace and lounge-like setting, dual drive-thrus, and three-storey windows.

But new businesses are opening up almost every day around Langley, and Knight said he’s more excited about all the new opportunities for young people that will come with the addition of this newest restaurant.

“From an employment standpoint, I expect to staff the restaurant with approximately 80 to 85 employees, which would put my three restaurant team staffing to over 210,” he said.

While much of the staff has already been hired, Knight said another 20 are expected to join the team within the next month.

“This new location has opened up all sorts of new opportunities… for a lot of new young people to come aboard,” he said, noting people can apply online at www.applyatgateway.com.

Moreover, Knight explained that “a good number of these team members” have been with him for years.

“All of my managers started in my North Langley restaurants,” Knight explained, proudly announcing that all four of his kids are going to be involved, too.

 His son Brad will be running the new location, assisted by his sister Jessica, with help as needed from their siblings James and Melissa.

The new Gateway restaurant is expected to host a grand opening in early to mid-November, with a fundraising celebration that will split proceeds between PUCKs and the Ronald McDonald House in the Fraser Valley.

All bout the bride

It’s all about that dress, ‘bout that dress, ‘bout that dress – or should I say dresses.

Okay I’ll stop warping the Meghan Trainor’s All About That Bass lyrics. But let me tell you all ‘bout a bridal boutique in downtown Langley City that is going strong.

There’s a party happening this Saturday on the one-way section of the Fraser Highway, and it’s all ‘bout the dresses and the extra space Everything But the Groom now has to show them.

Heidi Tobler, and her team moved (on the Labour Day weekend) into a new 3,300-square-foot space just up the road from the former locale they occupied for close to a decade.

They’re holding a grand opening party on Oct. 11.

“We are very excited about our expansion and our beautiful new store,” Tobler said. “For nine years, we have been proud to provide exceptional selection and customer service to brides, grads, and wedding parties. With our larger location, we can offer even more dresses to choose from and lots of space to try them on.”

Find out more at www.everythingbutthegroom.ca.