Current:Home > StocksVideo shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene -Financial Clarity Guides
Video shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene
View
Date:2025-04-12 02:31:08
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! (4424)
Related
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- A Pipeline Runs Through It
- Fate of Netflix Series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Revealed
- Maine dams face an uncertain future
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Utah AD Mark Harlan fined $40,000 for ripping referees and the Big 12 after loss to BYU
- 'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
Ranking
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Trump's election has women swearing off sex with men. It's called the 4B movement.
- 25 monkeys caught but more still missing after escape from research facility in SC
- Brianna LaPaglia Reacts to Rumors Dave Portnoy Paid Her $10 Million for a Zach Bryan Tell-All
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- 'Yellowstone's powerful opening: What happened to Kevin Costner's John Dutton?
- Satellite images and documents indicate China working on nuclear propulsion for new aircraft carrier
- Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid Enjoy a Broadway Date Night and All that Jazz
Recommendation
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Will Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul end in KO? Boxers handle question differently
Fire crews gain greater control over destructive Southern California wildfire
Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
The Cowboys, claiming to be 'all in' prior to Dak Prescott's injury, are in a rare spot: Irrelevance
Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch
What to know about Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney, who died Friday