VIDALIA &045; The parking lot is striped and the first McNuggets have already come off the line.

It’s just about time for the Vidalia McDonald’s to open.

Town officials and business leaders were treated to a sneak preview of the new store Tuesday night as workers put on the finishing touches and go through their final training.

Store owner Gary Small, who also owns the three Natchez McDonald’s franchises, said the store is on track to open later this week provided there are no major setbacks.

The staff has been doing practice runs on the equipment this week to prepare for the opening.

Workers were on hand Tuesday to give tours of the store and make some sample products for the guests.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said he’s looking forward to the opening.

&uot;I love it,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;It’s just me and my wife, so we eat out all the time.&uot;

The store has a more modern dcor than older McDonald’s, with more colorful furniture and stone tile floors and walls.

&uot;My wife picked out everything in here,&uot; Small said. &uot;Any time they asked me about something like that, I told them that’s her decision.&uot;

One of the features Small said is an upgrade over other McDonald’s is the drive-through’s automatic drink serving machine.

Once an order has been completed at the first window, the machine grabs a cup of the proper size and fills it with ice and the correct drink.