McDonald’s Interested in Detroit Theatre Property?

The Golden Arches of could be coming soon to Detroit Avenue.

According to sources, the fast food giant is eyeing several locations on Detroit Avenue — including the property where the Detroit Theatre was housed .

Dru Siley, Lakewood’s assistant director of planning and development, said the city was contacted by the company, which is looking to move from its Sloane Avenue location to somewhere on Detroit Avenue.

Talks are only in the preliminary stages, he said.

“The only reason that site came up is because that site’s for sale,” Siley said, adding that he is aware of the theater’s sentimental value in the community. “The challenge is always repurposing a theater like that.”

The McDonald’s on Sloane Avenue opened in the 1960s, when the thoroughfare was more widely traveled. “Decades ago, (that location) sure did make sense,” Siley added.

McDonald’s officials did not return several calls seeking comment for this story.

An employee at the Sloane Avenue location, who asked not to be identified, said that the rumor isn’t true, but referred further comments to company officials.

It isn’t clear which other properties the company is interested in.

The vacant theater and the property it sits on — at 16409 Detroit Avenue — are on the market for $695,000.

With declining attendance in an industry that has struggled to remain financially viable, the earlier this year after 87 years.

Julie Warren, the co-owner of Erie Design, which is also housed in the building, said if the property is sold, her sign and banner business would need to find a new home. 

has been at its current location since it opened in 1999.

“Everybody kind of dreams about making it a theater, but people who are interested in theaters just don’t have that kind of money — like McDonald's does,” said Warren. “I would rather see someone come in and restore this cool old theater. I just don’t see that happening.”

She said she has already begun “prospecting a little bit” for a new location.

“Our future is uncertain, but we’re trying to look at the move as an upgrade” Warren said. “We’ve been looking around, but we’re not going to jump ship too quickly.”

Siley said the city expects to know more in the coming weeks.

“I am reserving judgment until I hear more about where they decide they where to go,” he said.