A McDonald's restaurant in the heart of downtown Seattle has taken the drastic step of permanently banning customers from its dining area, implementing a stark 'no door' policy in response to persistent and violent crime plaguing the location.
A Restaurant Transformed by Violence
The fast-food outlet, situated at the notorious intersection of 3rd Avenue and Pine Street in an area known locally as 'The Blade', has been the scene of multiple serious incidents. According to a report by the Daily Mail, these have included stabbings, open drug use, and a particularly horrific shooting in January 2020 that resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to seven others, one of whom was a child.
"I watched a girl get shot and killed right here," Nick, a 45-year-old former drug user familiar with the area, told the publication. He described the event as a "horrible shooting." The restaurant's dining room, initially closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, never reopened after that tragedy.
The 'McStabby's' Fortification
Today, the building's doors are sealed shut with plywood. In their place is a makeshift service hatch where all transactions now occur. The hatch is largely covered by protective plexiglass, with only a small opening for employees to pass out food and collect payment from customers on the sidewalk.
Local residents have grimly nicknamed the establishment "McStabby's," a moniker reported by the Daily Mail that reflects the frequency of violent altercations. One Seattle police officer stated they had witnessed three stabbings in front of the McDonald's since the beginning of the year alone.
Employees and locals report that the problems escalate after dark. "They do drugs and attack each other," Nick said of those who loiter outside. "When it’s dark, it’s way worse — way more people getting assaulted and robbed." A McDonald's worker confirmed witnessing "some physical assaults" on the pavement outside the restaurant.
A Symptom of a Broader Crisis
This extreme measure by a global fast-food chain highlights the acute public safety challenges facing parts of downtown Seattle. Official police data provides context: last year, Seattle recorded 3,145 aggravated assaults, nearly 1,440 robberies, over 380 cases of rape, and approximately 30 murders.
The situation remains severe in the current year, with police reporting about 80 cases of violent crime in the area so far, including roughly 50 aggravated assaults. The Independent has contacted both the Seattle Police Department and McDonald's corporate for comment on the policy and the local security situation.
The transformation of this restaurant from a place of casual dining to a fortified takeaway hatch serves as a potent physical symbol of the impact of urban crime on everyday business and community life.
