Current:Home > FinanceVideo shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene -Capitatum
Video shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene
View
Date:2025-04-16 19:22:49
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! (86664)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Staff at a Virginia wildlife center pretend to be red foxes as they care for an orphaned kit
- Mega Millions jackpot rises to estimated $792 million after no one wins $735 million grand prize
- Republican Valadao and Democrat Salas advance in California’s competitive 22nd district
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- 'Dateline' correspondent Keith Morrison remembers stepson Matthew Perry: 'Not easy'
- Schedule, bracket, storylines and what to know for the Big East men's tournament
- 8 children, 1 adult die after eating sea turtle meat in Zanzibar, officials say
- Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
- Seavey now has the most Iditarod wins, but Alaska’s historic race is marred by 3 sled dog deaths
Ranking
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- Corrections officers sentenced in case involving assault of inmate and cover up
- Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, more lead 2024 CMT Music Awards nominees
- New Orleans police evidence room overrun by rodents, officials say: The rats are eating our marijuana
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
- Python abuse alleged at supplier of snakeskins used for Gucci handbags
- Raya helps Arsenal beat Porto on penalties to reach Champions League quarterfinals
- Warriors star Steph Curry says he's open to a political career after basketball
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Horoscopes Today, March 12, 2024
House Democrats try to force floor vote on foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan
Raya helps Arsenal beat Porto on penalties to reach Champions League quarterfinals
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
Zoë Kravitz brings boyfriend Channing Tatum to Lenny Kravitz's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
Haiti is preparing itself for new leadership. Gangs want a seat at the table
Stop hackers cold: Tech tips to secure your phone's data and location