McDonald's Eyeing Capitol Hill Storefront in Seattle

Fast-food giant files permit to convert former Rite Aid location into new restaurant

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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McDonald's has filed a permit with the city of Seattle to convert a former Rite Aid drugstore location in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood into a new restaurant. The 7,200-square-foot space in a historic building has sat vacant since the Rite Aid closed in 2023, and the fast-food chain's interest has drawn a mixed reaction from local businesses and residents.

Why it matters

The potential arrival of a McDonald's in Capitol Hill, a neighborhood known for its independent businesses and counterculture vibe, has sparked debate about the impact of corporate chains on the area's character. While some see the new restaurant as a convenient addition, others worry it could attract crime and disrupt the local community.

The details

According to permit records, transforming the former Rite Aid space into a suitable McDonald's location would cost around $750,000. The fast-food giant has been focused on global expansion, aiming to reach 50,000 restaurants worldwide by 2027. While McDonald's, the building's owner, and the commercial real estate broker CBRE declined to comment, CBRE is still advertising the storefront as available for lease.

  • The former Rite Aid closed in December 2023 when the company filed for bankruptcy.
  • This month, a permit advising company filed an application with the city of Seattle to convert the property into a McDonald's.

The players

McDonald's

An American fast-food corporation that has been heavily focused on global expansion, with a goal to reach 50,000 restaurants worldwide by 2027.

Limantzakis Properties

The owner of the building that previously housed the Rite Aid drugstore in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Nabil Abouelyamin

The owner of the neighboring food truck Falafelville, who welcomes the idea of a McDonald's in the vacant storefront.

Eric Hayes

The owner of the neighboring Broadway Locksmith, who worries that a McDonald's could attract trouble to the area.

Yohar Renaud

The vice president at CBRE and one of the lease brokers for the old Capitol Hill Rite Aid building, who believes the loss of major retail chains will create opportunities for other businesses.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so happy about it. Many customers are going to walk through me to go to McDonald's. Maybe next time, they'll just go to me.”

— Nabil Abouelyamin, Owner, Falafelville (The Seattle Times)

“That's what I can feel it turning into. I'm not too keen on all these corporate fast food places.”

— Eric Hayes, Owner, Broadway Locksmith (The Seattle Times)

“But I think, from a real estate perspective, it's welcomed because we've not had a lot of vacancy historically in Seattle. And so it's creating this really big opportunity for retailers that have been trying to expand or grow.”

— Yohar Renaud, Vice President, CBRE (The Seattle Times)

What’s next

The city of Seattle will review the permit application and determine whether to approve the conversion of the former Rite Aid location into a McDonald's restaurant.

The takeaway

The potential arrival of a McDonald's in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood highlights the ongoing tension between preserving the area's independent, community-focused character and accommodating the expansion of major corporate chains. The outcome of this decision will shape the future of this historic commercial district.