On Friday people lined up on the sidewalks outside Mary Lou's Milk Bottle as it opened its doors to the public for the first time since a devastating fire seven months ago.

As flames sprayed out of the roof many wondered if it was the end of the iconic Milk Bottle last September. The answer, as the doors reopened for business Friday morning, was a resounding no.

"I am so ready for this day, everybody is," owner Kris Ritchie said.

Just before 11 a.m. Ritchie was busy double checking everything for the reopening.

"It took longer than we expected but we've never been through this before and they had to build a whole new building basically," Ritchie said.

New shake machine? Check.
Pictures back on the wall? Check.
New grill? Check.
New menu? Also Check.

"A little expanded dinner menu and we'll do steaks and baked potatoes and grilled chicken," Ritchie said.

The ceiling in the entryway also got a lift.

During construction regular customers driving by would stop and say hi.

"When they were at a red light they would say, 'Thank you for rebuilding. When are you opening?'" Ritchie said.

On Friday Milk Bottle patrons waited patiently in line, regulars and first-timers alike, for the 11 a.m. opening.

While the interior has a new look, once people started ordering milkshakes and bacon cheeseburgers it seemed just like old times.