Current:Home > NewsVideo shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene -ProsperityStream Academy
Video shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:41:44
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! (942)
Related
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- Environmentalists Sue to Block Expansion of New York State’s Largest Landfill
- Ohio man gets 2.5 years in prison for death threats made in 2022 to Arizona’s top election official
- UFC fighter disqualified for biting opponent, winner celebrates by getting tattoo
- Eva Mendes Shares Message of Gratitude to Olympics for Keeping Her and Ryan Gosling's Kids Private
- TEA Business College ranked among the top ten business leaders in PRIME VIEW
- Snowstorm unleashes blizzard conditions across Plains, Midwest
- Snowstorm unleashes blizzard conditions across Plains, Midwest
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Analysis: Florida insurers made money last year for first time in 7 years
Ranking
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Colorado university hires 2 former US attorneys to review shooting, recommend any changes
- Here's how long you have to keep working to get the most money from Social Security
- 2 Holland America crew members die during incident on cruise ship
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- Riley Strain's Death Appears Accidental, Police Say After Preliminary Autopsy
- Must-Have Items from Amazon's Big Sale That Will Make It Look like a Professional Organized Your Closet
- Rebel Wilson calls out Sacha Baron Cohen, says she will not be 'silenced' amid new memoir
Recommendation
Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
Blizzard brewing in Northern Plains, Upper Midwest as spring storm targets region
After tumultuous 5 years for Boeing, CEO will depart as part of broader company leadership shakeup
Spring Into Style With the Best Plus Size Fashion Deals From Amazon: Leggings, Dresses, Workwear & More
Breaking debut in Olympics raises question: Are breakers artists or athletes?
The Sweet 16 NCAA teams playing in March Madness 2024
Trump’s social media company to start trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday
Louisiana man held in shooting death of Georgia man on Greyhound bus in Mississippi