AN ERA ENDS,
DEMOLITION BEGINS
Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive
Several weeks ago, I reported on the plan to redevelop the current site of the downtown Bethesda McDonald's, on East-West Highway at Pearl Street. But the actual closing date of the long-operating store was unknown.
That day came yesterday.
Although a number of downtown restaurants have been forced out by developers in the last few weeks, this one hits close to home for me. I've had many a meal from this McDonald's over a lifetime. Talk about "Living in the 90s." Were you there for the Jurassic Triple Cheeseburger, the Super Hero (a tie-in with one of my favorite movies, Batman Forever), and the Arch Deluxe?
Students at BCC High School, workers in nearby office buildings, and residents who thought the Golden Arches would always be a few steps away, had a rude awakening Tuesday. Even when these photos were taken, loyal customers were still pulling in. "It's closed? It's closed?" "Yes." "It's closed," the man said to himself again audibly, with a stricken expression, as reality sunk in.
No more Big Macs, no more America's Favorite Fries. Just super-size developer profits.
And then there was one.
There is now literally only one fast food restaurant operating in the entire town of Bethesda - the other McDonald's on River Road. Why fast food restaurants are unofficially banned from opening in Bethesda, remains a mystery government officials have yet to share with citizens.
Do you really have freedom of choice, when there are no choices?
It's the end of an era. The Golden Arches have stood along America's highways for decades, beckoning to hungry travelers. So it was here on our East-West Highway.
It will be missed.
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| The famous Golden Arches sign has been torn down, but McDonald's fans kept arriving for dinner anyway |
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| The doors are locked tight |
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| Here's all that's left of the Golden Arches sign on East-West Highway |
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| Left side of restaurant |
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| Interior of the abandoned restaurant. Note many ceiling tiles are already missing. A lone mystery man works on a laptop at a table by the far windows |
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| Ronald has left the building |
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| No more coffee deals; Starbucks has the monopoly in downtown Bethesda again |
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| The End |
SHAME ON THEM...i need my apple pie!
ReplyDeleteI could have sworn I saw people going in today (9/5). Did it reopen?
ReplyDeleteSeems unlikely, given that the sign on the door said it was closed forever, and thanked customers for their years of support. Maybe they were going in for reasons related to closing down the site.
DeleteAround lunchtime, I went to open the door, only to discover it was locked. I next read the sign with horror. Others around were doing the same. What a rude awakening.
ReplyDeleteI think a big part of the shock was that a closing date was not known to the public, so customers were arriving for meals only to find themselves locked out.
DeleteThere is actually a second McDonalds in Bethesda, besides the one at River Rd; it is located on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda (formerly National Naval Medical Center). If you have any kind of DOD ID (not VA), you will be able to enter the complex. If you don't have a DOD decal on your car, they might search it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I would think that Chipotle on Old Georgetown Rd would classify as a fast food restaurant.
I actually used to order from the Naval Hospital McDonald's sometimes when it was still open to the public, because they had a drive-thru. In hospitality industry terms, Chipotle is categorized as "fast casual," rather than fast food such as KFC, Burger King, etc.
DeleteThere used to be a Burger King at Bethesda Metro Center
ReplyDeleteTrue! I had a few Whoppers there. The hours were limited, so it seemed to be primarily for workers in the nearby buildings. I can't understand why Burger King never tapped into the high-income Bethesda market with a real location. They used to have one at Montgomery Mall, but never a stand-alone restaurant.
DeleteI have been going there for 35 years, guess this place has gone the way of the River Rd Roy Rogers!!!
ReplyDeleteRoy Rogers on River Road was probably the most classic fast food restaurant in Bethesda. Even the Chessie System crews stopped there. The fries came in a cardboard holster for the cowboy theme.
DeleteThat is very rude of them,And I know the owner Mr and Mrs Foster,Mrs Foster is very rude woman.How can they possibly new abt this and never bother to give their beloved customers notice?
ReplyDeleteFear not, in 2014 there will be a new McDonalds on the first floor of the new 9 story building. For now, Subway will have to be the fast food option.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm hearing. Great news! I think Subway has some good sandwiches on the menu, but for a complete meal I'll probably just go through the River Rd. McDonald's drive-thru.
DeleteYou saved me a disappointing pre-dawn walk this morning. Went to McD's locator page to check how early that store opened, and when nothing with an East-West Hwy or Pearl St address came up, I did a general Google and up came your blog. Thought I'd say hi and thanks before setting of for Tastee. Glad to know you're blogging - will check in regularly since you know more about my neighborhood than I do. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of help - welcome aboard, and thanks for reading!
DeleteIt's not the fast food itself but the "space" that was there. A site of sky, a breath of air and an inexpensive place to hang out in the middle of an overbuilt small town turned overpriced.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear L'Enfant's commentary on Montgomery County's plan for concrete canyons of cookie cutter, mixed-use buildings. Whatever happened to the concept that space and setbacks create a grander aesthetic in the public space?
DeleteNow both McDonalds are gone..East West Hwy is now a huge office building and River Road is gone too. The same owner decided to sell both for progress...But now the McDonalds lover has to go to Montgomery Mall or Rockville Pike to find their fast food fix.
ReplyDeleteThe owner of both McDonalds should have made sure that a new McDonalds would be built in both locations. Bethesda now has no fast food options..No quick breakfast options for workers or students. No lunch or dinner options for the average person.Bethesda is showing it only cares about the rich person. Ten million dollar penthouses, million dollar homes, steak meals for 100 dollars, your average person can't afford to live or shop, eat in Bethesda. The gas prices are still close to 4 dollars, yet a couple miles away in Rockville prices are under three dollars( doesn't seem fair)
ReplyDelete