Current:Home > FinanceVideo shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene -FutureFinance
Video shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene
View
Date:2025-04-15 03:14:29
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! (2928)
Related
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- The US military integrated 75 years ago. It forever changed the way America works.
- Alabama couple welcomes first baby born from uterus transplant outside of clinical trial
- Drake revealed as new owner of Tupac's crown ring, which he purchased for over $1 million at auction
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Sinéad O’Connor, gifted and provocative Irish singer-songwriter, dies at 56
- How Travis Kelce's Attempt to Give Taylor Swift His Number Was Intercepted
- Alpha Phi Alpha, oldest Black fraternity, moves convention from Florida due to 'hostile' policies
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Records shed light on why K-9 cop was fired after siccing dog on trucker: Report
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Teen Mom’s Catelynn Lowell Finally Launched a Cheeky OnlyFans for Tyler Baltierra
- Dwayne The Rock Johnson makes 7-figure donation to SAG-AFTRA relief fund amid actors' strike
- iPhone helps California responders find man who drove off 400-foot cliff, ejected from car
- Sam Taylor
- Gabe Lee hopes to 'bridge gaps' between divided Americans with new album
- 'They Cloned Tyrone' is a funky and fun sci-fi mystery
- 'Mother Undercover:' How 4 women took matters into their own hands to get justice
Recommendation
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
How Alex Morgan grew from USWNT rising star to powerful advocate and disruptor
6 days after fuel spill reported, most in Tennessee city still can’t drink the tap water
3 people whose partly mummified bodies were found at remote campsite planned to live off the grid, family says
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
'Gimme a break!' Biden blasts insurance hassles for mental health treatment
When does 'Hard Knocks' start? 2023 premiere date, team, what to know before first episode
Why Real Housewives of Orange County's Gina Kirschenheiter Decided to Film Season 17 Sober