Current:Home > MarketsVideo shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene -FutureWise Finance
Video shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene
View
Date:2025-04-13 02:12:26
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! (73132)
Related
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Mission impossible? Biden says Mideast leaders must consider a two-state solution after the war ends
- G-7 nations back strong supply chains for energy and food despite global tensions
- Joe Thornton officially retires from the NHL after 24-year career
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- 4 people, including 2 students, shot near Atlanta college campus
- G-7 nations back strong supply chains for energy and food despite global tensions
- Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration project
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Sailor missing at sea for 2 weeks found alive in life raft 70 miles off Washington coast
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- Video game adaptation ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ notches $130 million global debut
- 1 dead, 8 others injured in shooting at large party in Indianapolis
- G-7 nations back strong supply chains for energy and food despite global tensions
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Colorado DB Shilo Sanders ejected after big hit in loss to UCLA
- Alabama’s forgotten ‘first road’ gets a new tourism focus
- Police say shooting at Chicago house party leaves 15 people injured, including 2 critically
Recommendation
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
The FDA warns consumers to stop using several eyedrop products due to infection risk
Parents of Liverpool's Luis Díaz kidnapped in Colombia
Matthew Perry's Family Speaks Out After Actor's Death
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Google to present its star witness, the company's CEO, in landmark monopoly trial
Parents of Liverpool's Luis Díaz kidnapped in Colombia
French Jewish groups set up a hotline for people in the community traumatized by Israel-Hamas war