The drive to modernize, refresh and renew continues in the world of fast food in Southwest Michigan. Following closely on the heels of the recent re-construction and re-opening of the Pipestone Road Burger King, and last year’s refresher at Taco Bell right next door, KFC of Benton Harbor is undertaking a considerable makeover, which has resulted in the restaurant being shut down for a couple of weeks.
The KFC at 1957 M-139 in Benton Township closed down Monday to undertake the interior renovation which will also allow contractors to repair or replace a malfunctioning air conditioning unit there which gave out in recent days.
Clerks at the popular restaurant say that the shutdown is expected to be fairly brief…running from now though the 4th of July when they expect to re-open. In the interim, if you’re looking for a KFC fix, you’re going to have to head for Niles, that’s the only other active KFC in Berrien County, located at 1295 S. 11th Street in Niles. The former KFC at Hilltop and Cleveland in St. Joseph closed down in January of 2016.
Orange traffic cones line the curb cuts on M-139 for the KFC building and large signs foretell the closure for remodeling. Additionally, the pylon sign shares news of the temporary closure while two large dumpsters are on the drive with workers busy filling them with debris from inside as they make way for new decor and furnishings.
Many of the fast food enterprises across the region have been updating buildings and decor to match newer trends to things like digital menu boards, increased usage of large screen TVs and other upgrades. In the last couple of years new Burger Kings have been installed in St. Joseph, Stevensville, Watervliet, and on both M-139 and Pipestone in Benton Township. The Taco Bell alongside the KFC got a makeover last year, and McDonald’s has freshened and modernized facilities in Coloma, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and Stevensville among others.
