Iconic McDonald’s restaurant in Belleville closes after more than 60 years in business

Jennifer Green
Updated ·4 min read

Well, good people of Belleville, past and present, in case you missed it, I have some sad news to share with you.

The McDonald’s location at 4422 W. Main St. in Belleville is permanently closed.

That’s right. Our awesome single-arched Mickey D’s closed after more than 60 years of serving hamburgers, fries and other fast eats to the community.

Sorry for the late notice.

In the days prior to closing, I called and stopped by the restaurant to see what I could learn. I was told by employees that the restaurant’s last day would be Friday, March 31.

I did go back to the restaurant on March 31. The lobby wasn’t open, but the drive-thru was. I bought a soda just to ask about that day’s hours and was told they were open regular hours on that last day.

There was no official word from the owner, Estel Foods, Inc., about the closing, which is why I didn’t let you know sooner. (But you may have gotten word of the closing on social media.)

On the Monday after the restaurant closed, I drove by and saw “Permanently Closed” on the marquee of the vintage arch sign that stood in front of the restaurant. (A bit of background on that in a sec.)

By the end of the week, the sign was being dismantled by Piros Signs, Inc.

Piros Signs takes down the arch sign at the recently closed McDonald’s on West Main Street in Belleville.
Piros Signs takes down the arch sign at the recently closed McDonald’s on West Main Street in Belleville.

Why the restaurant closed is something I’m still trying to learn.

I’d also like to know what will become of the single arch.

Calls to Estel Foods, Inc. were not immediately returned.

This closing is the latest along West Main Street near North Belt West.

Other closings include Bicycle World in December, 4204 Main Street Brewing Company in 2021, Steak ‘n Shake in 2019, and the former Nonna’s restaurant at 4508 W. Main St.

That building sat vacant since 2015 and was damaged by a fire in February.

I’ll provide updates as new info becomes available.

The single arch being dismantled at the recently closed McDonald’s on West Main Street in Belleville
The single arch being dismantled at the recently closed McDonald’s on West Main Street in Belleville

If you were lovin’ Belleville’s iconic McDonald’s check out these unique Midwest locations

About McDonald’s at 4422 W. Main St.

Belleville’s first McDonald’s Restaurant opened at 4422 W. Main St. in October 1961 under the brief ownership of Don Shay.

In a 1989 News-Democrat article, Dave Embry, the restaurant’s second owner, said he took over in 1962 when “the operator went under.”

Embry went on to say that McDonald’s wasn’t accepted at first.

“There was the attitude of ‘This will never make it.’ That was pretty much the way the customer reacted,” said Embry.

The original building had two windows and no indoor seating.

In 1974, the restaurant was redesigned to include an indoor dining area.

Embry said at that time, people didn’t want him to keep the well-known sign, but he held his ground.

“I wanted to keep it. It’s nostalgia,” he said.

In later years, another owner planned to bring down the vintage golden arch when the restaurant was to be demolished and replaced with a new building.

In 1996, Bob Bonner told the News-Democrat that the new restaurant would include an indoor play area.

The existing restaurant would remain open as the new one was built on the west parking lot.

When the new building was finished, the old one would be demolished.

The original arch was to be “sent to storage at McDonald’s headquarters in Oak Brook,” according to the BND’s Jan. 27, 1996, article.

Bonner said the old sign would be used for parts for other existing signs in the U.S.

Less than six months later and after much negative public reaction, it was decided that the original arch sign would remain at 4422 W. Main St., even though keeping it cost Bonner $15,000 more than a new sign.

Bonner replaced the words “Over 90 Billion Sold” with “We Value Belleville.”

The restaurant was also owned by Steve Short, who bought that and the location at 7301 Westfield Plaza Drive in Belleville in 2005.

Short previously owned and later sold two other Belleville locations – on South Belt East and Carlyle Avenue – and the Swansea restaurant.

The West Main Street McDonald’s is currently owned by Estel Foods, Inc., which also owns the McDonald’s restaurants on Carlyle Avenue in Belleville and other locations.

BND 022362 McDonald's Ad by Jennifer Green on Scribd

BND Stories on McDonald's Sign by Jennifer Green on Scribd