Current:Home > reviewsVideo shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene -MacroWatch
Video shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene
View
Date:2025-04-17 20:21:07
A pretty special McDonald's took a big hit after Hurricane Helene rolled into North Carolina, which caused unprecedented devastation and destruction to a number of states across the Southeast.
The McDonald's, located in Asheville, was one of many structures in the historic Biltmore Village, an 8,000-acre property affected by "catastrophic flooding," according to reporting by Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Biltmore Village is expected to remain closed until Tuesday, Oct. 15, but may remain shuttered longer as crews begin to assess the damages caused by the storm, which killed at least 200 people.
The McDonald's franchise, built in 2000, was renovated to exude the "high-society elegance" that other bars, restaurants, clothing stores within the Biltmore Village, and was dubbed the "world's fanciest" McDonald's, according to reporting by Atlas Obscura.
Before Hurricane Helene completely gutted the inside of the McDonald's, customers were greeted with red oak tables, wrought iron railings, "and luminous chandeliers under a sweeping pressed-tin ceiling, with every wood feature boasting a handsome finish," Atlas Obscura reported.
A baby grand piano stationed in the corner only elevated the dining experience, playing music as customers waited for their orders or tucked into Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets, Atlas Obscura reported. The McDonald's even had a giant stone chimney.
USA TODAY has reached out to McDonald's for additional information.
Watch: 'World's fanciest' McDonald's left in ruins after Hurricane Helene
As an Uber and Lyft driver, Vitor Sa drives by the corner everyday despite never eating there, he told USA TODAY on Friday. The fancy McDonald's is now caked by at least a foot of mud, Sa said.
"I have passengers this week that I picked up and their family is just like 'We're not going to be able to go to McDonald's and Wendy's anymore this week,' because they're all closed. They're completely destroyed," Sa said. "Their kids are missing the McDonald's that was there."
Contributing: Anthony Robledo
veryGood! (9987)
Related
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Crack Open
- Hybrid work still has some kinks to work out | The Excerpt
- Trump expected to announce his VP running mate today as RNC gets underway
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Miranda Lambert Stops Concert Again to Call Out Fans Causing Drama
- How many points did Bronny James score tonight? Lakers Summer League box score
- Inside the tradition of Olympic rings tattoos and why it's an 'exclusive club'
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Texas set to execute Ruben Gutierrez in retired teacher's death on Tuesday. What to know.
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Powerball winning numbers for July 15 drawing; jackpot rises to $64 million
- 2024 RNC Day 1 fact check of the Republican National Convention
- 'Clock is ticking': Texas Gov. Abbott gives utility company deadline to fix power outages
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Scientists have confirmed a cave on the moon that could be used to shelter future explorers
- California needs a million EV charging stations — but that’s ‘unlikely’ and ‘unrealistic’
- New search launched for body of woman kidnapped, killed 54 years ago after being mistaken for Rupert Murdoch's wife
Recommendation
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
Hawaii DOE Still Doesn’t Have A Plan For How To Spend Farm-To-School Funds
Messi 'doing well' after Copa America ankle injury, says he'll return 'hopefully soon'
JoJo Siwa Reveals Her Home Was Swatted Again
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Save 62% on the Internet-Famous COSRX Snail Mucin Essence: Shop Now Before it Sells Out
Hall of Fame RB Terrell Davis says he was placed in handcuffs on United Airlines flight
Top 55 Deals on Summer Beauty Staples for Prime Day 2024: Solve the Heatwave Woes with Goop, COSRX & More