The Flowers building where McDonalds is considering a new location (annotated with a signage mockup).
Don't Stomp on Flowers
Don't Stomp on Flowers
The Problem
A McDonald’s is slated to replace a central part of The Ave—the former Ness Flowers building—displacing the much-loved Cedars of Lebanon restaurant as well.
Why Not McDonald’s?
The addition of a McDonald’s at the corner of The Ave and 43rd, directly across from the light rail station, threatens to replace and detract from the mom-and-pop businesses that give The Ave its unique character.
Supporting local businesses isn’t automatic, but it raises an important question: Could a local business, instead of a multinational chain, occupy the vacant Flowers space and continue contributing to the University District’s unique authenticity?
History tells us that corporations don’t tend to succeed here. Target, CVS, and McDonald’s have all tried and failed in the past. The chains push out small businesses, sign long leases, & then pull out, leaving empty storefronts behind for years. Your favorite neighborhood spot could be next.
Today, McDonald’s is not the inexpensive fast-food option it once was, as the combo meal is comparable to meal prices currently offered on The Ave, eroding the value it supposedly brings.
Save The Ave
Ness Flowers at NE 43rd on The Ave during a demonstration in 1970 (Roger Wheeling, Photographer).
The Opportunity
Beyond preserving local businesses, we have a chance to save a piece of the U District’s history. The Flowers building—with its historic sign and iconic façade—represents an important piece of our urban fabric. Demolishing it would erase part of the character that generations of students, residents, and visitors have loved.
Good news: A community-led effort is already underway to add The Ave to the National Register of Historic Places (state & federal), making it easier to preserve buildings like this.
What You Can Do
- Sign the petition online or on paper
- Write a postcard today to the building’s owner
- Share your story about why you want to Save The Ave’s historic buildings
- Spread the word to the wider public on social media >#savetheave
- Join the U District Community Council
The Ave Historic District
Over time, The Ave has endured many challenges, including the rapid development currently transforming the neighborhood. Yet, no amount of change can replicate the vibrant culture and close-knit community that make the U District truly unique.
Seafair Parade in front of Ness Flowers, 1964.
The original building & tenant, circa 1920s.
ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
1,536+
Online Petition Signatures
300+
In-Person Petition Signatures
4
Recent Press Articles
1,812+ Petition signers...
Aadil A
Aaron T
Abdul N
Abraham T
Ahelia Z
Aidan Urbano
Ailie M
Alessi P
Alex B
Alex C
Alex M
Alex O
Alexander Winter
Alexis Tang
Aliria S
Alison M
Aliya T
Allison Kerr
Amelia C
Amy Parks
Andrea C
Angeline
Anggita
Anika H
Ann Birnbaum
Anna C
Annika Fines
Annika Miller
Anthony G
Anthony Marcheselli
Aradhya K
Ari Okin
Ariel Lin
Arthur T
Arulrani George
Ash F
Ashlyn S
Ashok Parasa
Aspen V
Attiya K
Audrey D
Ava Gr
Avery B
Beau J
Bella B
Ben M
Bennet O
Brayden P
Calvin K
Cameron Van horn
Camille C
Carey Halpin
Carmen A
Caroline K
Catherine Borger
Chaman G
Charlotte J
Chris Behrens
Christian L
Christophe
Cindy Black
Claire C
Cole Turner
Coner B
Conor C
Cora S
Cory C
Daniel K
Danika K
Danny Pham
Daphne B
Darian A
Desi Nelson
Diva M
Drew F
Dru Naik
Dylan Bergen
Eden F
Edie C
Eileen B
Elena L
Eli L
Elisia A
Elizabeth Henry
Ella M
Elliott S
Elyse K
Em T
Emailie G
Emanuela F
Emi U
Emily Dialbert
Emily Graham
Emily S
Emma D
Emma P
Enkela Q
Enzo F
Eric L
Erin F
Esther P
Ethan D
Eva S
Evan F
Evan Lytte
Evie Lucas
Fal I
Fall West
Felicity W
Forest U
Frank Stieber
Gemma
Genevieve N
Gregg P
Grey C
Guita T
Ha To
Hannah Langha
Hanni V
Hayden Z
Heejin K
Hugo B
Ilene U
Iris Gatti
Isabel B
Isabella G
Isabella S
J.
J Fisher
Jaelyn Y
James Gray
Jamie Berger
Janine Parks
Jay Werner
Jayne D
Jennifer M
Jessica Brownell
John P
John T
Jonathan Beck
Jordan H
Jordan K
Judy J
Julia A
Julia M
Julia Makiniemi
Juliana D
Julieanne K
Justin Mumma
Kaia Armas
Kaithika
Kareena Naik
Karin Gould
Kate J
Kate L
Katherine Parker
Katie L
Kaylee N
Keira G
Kelly W
Kennet Belenky
Kerry Kahl
Khushi T
Kierra R
Kim C
Kim E
Kim R
Kimberlee H
Klara E
Kristina Hauptfuehrer
Kyreston Jones
Lani
Laura Denney
Lauren K
Leela M
Lesley Decker
Levi S
Lewis G
Like M
Lilah S
Lilly C
Lily K
Lind E
Lindsay Hippe
Lorien W
Lukata
Luke V
Mac B
Mac H
Macie V
Madeline D
Madison Ragland
Maggie K
Manesi G
Mari L
Marie J
Mark Brands
Mark T
Matteah D
Max Franz-knight
Max G
McKenzie
Megan B
Mel B
Melanie Edwards
Michael Olney
Michell J
Michelle A
Michelle Vasquez
Mika B
Milo J
Mira A
Miri Daniels
Misbah K
Misty Shock Rule
Mk Rodgers
Molly Roberts
Nadhiya G
Nanaj
Nancy V
Natalia U
Natalie E
Natalie M
Nathan E
Nikki S
Oley
Olivia H
Olivia L
Oscar G
Parker S
Paul G
Paul Hawkins
Peja H
Penny Slade
Perigon Service
Perla
Peter B
Peyton W
Phoenix K
Pouneh A
Quin W
Rafael B
Ranger L
Rareena
Rebecca Geisler
Red A
Rese Shipley
Rhys Conley-marsh
Ria M
Robert McLaughlin
Robert T
Robert W
Ruba Sadi
Rupak R
Ryan A
Sadeem A
Sadie O
Sage M
Sam R
Samantha F
Sammy Y
Sara Gallagher
Sara Sm
Sarah F
Sarah Hutchinson
Sarah Plate
Sarah S
Sawyer D
Sebasian H
Sebastian P
Sejom C
Sephora C
Shanna
Shay Rice
Sheen Hunter
Sheena Brooke
Shelby M
Shengyao Liu
Sherman Buck
Shirin I
Sidra M
Sielia F
Siena G
Sofia Sharron
Somer M
Sophia H
Soraya B
Soren G
Stefano D
Steve Ditore
Syrenka Slette
Taliya S
Teresa D
Tess M
Tessa G
Theodore Wilson
Thomas K
Thora
Tiera A
Tiffany R
Timothy L
Tom E
Tom Lang
Tom Payne, md
Trinity G
Ursula R
Vivian M
Warda M
Wendy Warren
Will F
Willa B
Willow Maloney
Yeonnu L
Zoda J
Plus many anonymous signers
Plus 1,510 online signers at Change.org
You can also add your name to the original petition on Change.org:
In the Press
The Ave’s Cedars of Lebanon May Be Getting Cut Down and Replaced With a McDonald’s
Published March 14, 2025 in EATER Seattle
By Harry Cheadle
McDonald’s is poised to move into the University District — and not all of its would-be neighbors are happy.
McDonald’s is poised to move into the University District — and not all of its would-be neighbors are happy.
Beloved Ave Restaurant Might Be Replaced by a McDonald's
Published March 13, 2025 in The Stranger
By Charles Mudede
Say it ain't so. According to U District Advocates, Cedar's of Lebanon, "the oldest restaurant on The Ave," might be replaced by, of all things, a McDonald's. True, this is something rather new in this city, where the normal running of things is to give small businesses the boot for luxury towers that offer hoity-toity dining.
Say it ain't so. According to U District Advocates, Cedar's of Lebanon, "the oldest restaurant on The Ave," might be replaced by, of all things, a McDonald's. True, this is something rather new in this city, where the normal running of things is to give small businesses the boot for luxury towers that offer hoity-toity dining.
‘Golden Arches’ replace Flowers: McDonald’s moves back to the Ave
Published February 24, 2025 in The Daily UW
By Sophia Sostrin
A new McDonald’s is set to take over the former Flowers bar and restaurant on the corner of University Way and Northeast 43rd Street, marking another instance of a mega-chain replacing a locally-owned business in the U-District.
A new McDonald’s is set to take over the former Flowers bar and restaurant on the corner of University Way and Northeast 43rd Street, marking another instance of a mega-chain replacing a locally-owned business in the U-District.
Cedars of Lebanon - The Sturdy Heart of the U District
Published February 6, 2025 in In the News
By Nova Berger
In the heart of the U District, grows the sturdiest tree in the Pacific Northwest. At 43rd and University Way, across from the reliable link light rail stop sits the lovable, creaky , quirky cornerstone of The Ave: Cedars of Lebanon. Not to be confused with its fellow Indian counterpart of the same name, Cedars of Lebanon is a storied restaurant with roots as sturdy and old as its namesake.
In the heart of the U District, grows the sturdiest tree in the Pacific Northwest. At 43rd and University Way, across from the reliable link light rail stop sits the lovable, creaky , quirky cornerstone of The Ave: Cedars of Lebanon. Not to be confused with its fellow Indian counterpart of the same name, Cedars of Lebanon is a storied restaurant with roots as sturdy and old as its namesake.
Select Comments
Alexander: "I understand that we want to improve the Ave, but bringing in a mega corporation to serve poor food at high prices is not the way to do this, please revitalize this space with a business that does a better job meeting the community’s need with healthier food owned by local people."
Steve: "This city has already lost most of what made it unique and culturally energetic, due to the "corporatization" of the whole town."
Cindy: "I've seen the Ave through years of changes. When I was first hanging out there, there were vacant lots all along the Ave, with grass and shade trees, under which the hippies would play guitars and everyone sang and had a great time. So many changes! I'd like to help preserve just as much of the Ave as I can. There are too many changes! Bogus."
Karin: "My favorite place on earth please don’t tear down anything else"
Gayle: "Let’s keep the “U District Unique”! MAC Donalds belongs near a mall or in a driver friendly location ~ they are bound to fail & are hurting small business by wasting the iconic “Flowers” space & displacing an iconic restaurant (Cedars of Lebanon)."
Jay: "I've always thought this was such a cool location. I wasn't a regular there, but I know it was popular with college students (a bit too popular, in hindsight). I would love for the space to be taken by another small business or literally anything that would preserve its character."
Emily: "My heart breaks for Cedars, which I've been visiting nearly every week since I began working in the University District years ago. The owners are such pillars of the community that I know them on a first-name basis."
Aidan: "McDonald’s sucks. Small business should take over"
Alexander: "I understand that we want to improve the Ave, but bringing in a mega corporation to serve poor food at high prices is not the way to do this, please revitalize this space with a business that does a better job meeting the community’s need with healthier food owned by local people."
Allison: "This is a terrible change for our neighborhood. Save Cedar's, dump the McDonald's!!!"
Amy: "Cedar’s is a wonderful restaurant with a lot of history. They actually have healthy and delicious food options. Also the last McDonald’s we had on the Ave attracted a criminal element. Why would this be any different?"
Ariel: "We don't need another town full of boring big-corp chains that have no life. Let's keep our lively, unique, creative, interesting, local, and beautiful community alive!"
Arulrani: "We need quality food for our kiddos!"
Ashok: "It should be known that exclusive zoning is what is driving Cedars out. Landlord greed is one factor but we enable it by making retail space in dense areas scarce and therefore extremely expensive. Expect more stories like this unless we greatly upzone all of Seattle. Or embrace your "neighborhood character" and watch as the establishments that actually give your neighborhood character are driven out by insane costs."
Cameron: "As a University District resident for nearly 10 years, I can promise you this will be one of the least frequented locations on the ave. Do better."
Carey: "U-district deserves better"
Elizabeth: "The Ave has unique character and special businesses. The changes in ownership over the recent years is impacting the area enough without such a most unwelcome international corporate business to come here. Business should reflect the diversity of cultures of the university community and those who come for good shopping and tasty meals."
Emily: "My heart breaks for Cedars, which I've been visiting nearly every week since I began working in the University District years ago. The owners are such pillars of the community that I know them on a first-name basis. John even gives customers his homegrown plums in the summer months. As the University District loses yet another small business and two invaluable community leaders to high rents, we gain ... an expensive, faceless fast-food chain? It makes me furious. Landlords are allowed to jack the prices while City Council members sit back and collect a paycheck. When will Seattle City Council END landlord greed and work to support the people it supposedly represents? When will University District representatives and the University of Washington stand up for the community members they rely upon to function every day?"
Emily: "Small businesses are critical, and McDonalds sucks. Support small businesses."
Fall: "Mega corps continue to pluck Seattle's wings to feed the vulture Capitalism."
Janine: "Cedars has been a beloved establishment in the UD with serious food and a warm, friendly environment. Its owners deserve better than to be displayed by the likes of a McDonald's. The last time a McDonald replaced a beloved community business it brought nothing but crime and drugs and unhealthy food to our unique neighborhood. Apparently nothing was learned by this horrible experience, but it's been long gone and for going reason. Aside from displacing Cedars, we should not have a business such as McDonald's going in across from the light rail station where there are always dug addicts, needles, drugs, diet, filth and crime there on 43rd. Having a McDonald go in here and the loss of our Cedars of Lebanon is the wrong way to go and no doubt another bad move by the city council and Mayor Harrell. The University District is already a filthy ghostown. Why anyone would send their child to UW after seeing it is beyond me. Please reconsider this poor plan and replace Flowers with a more favorable establishment. .. one that builds up and enhances this neighborhood, not one that increased crime and violence and drugs, but that attracts university students, faculty, staff, movie goers and other U District supporters. We do not need this neighborhood to become more of a blight on Seattle's dwindling reputation.reputation."
Jessica: "The Flowers' building is a centralized embodiment of the culture and landscape of the Ave, which is a cornerstone to the UW Seattle experience. As neighborhoods across the city continue to be homogenized through gentrification, it is crucial for communities to fight for landmarks and small businesses they love."
Jonathan: "Cedar's of Lebanon and small businesses like it are the cornerstone of any good neighborhood and city. The folks who run Cedar's of Lebabon are some of the kindest, most caring people in the U District, and they are a staple of the community. We don't need corporate fast food, we need real character."
Julia: "This building sits at the heart of University Ave. It will occupy space in the minds of students who walk past it every day. It will imprint on visitors who come see our campus. Its garbage will litter our streets. Flowers represented the spirit of U-District. What does McDonald's represent? This location is inappropriate for yet another corporate fast food restaurant. McDonald's can go somewhere else."
Kaia: "The Ave is an important staple for students who go to the University of Washington, it is walked on by a hundred every day and is home to many small businesses that take pride in serving many students every day. Adding McDonald's would decrease the amount of visitors in the local shops on the Ave, and increasing more traffic making commuting challenging. Mcdonald's is fast food, we need more independent local stores and restaurants that serve good food rather than having chain stores/restaurants."
Kennet: "I've been eating at Cedars for nearly 25 years. The owner has watched my son grow up while he feeds him the best falafel in Seattle. My first date with my now-wife as at Flowers. As sketchy as Flowers was, it's exactly the kind of local culture that would never be replaced with a corporate franchise."
Kyreston: "Flowers was a unique place for UW students to gather for DECADES. The predatory rent practices of these shady commercial landlords are single-handedly destroying everything that made Seattle a wonderful place to live. We cannot allow them to keep running small businesses into the ground and replacing them with the same chain restaurants (that are poisoning Americans with their nasty food) that we can find anywhere in the US."
Max: "McDonald's tastes bad and is expensive booooooo"
Melanie: "The last thing the Ave needs is a McDonald’s, never mind the fact that there’s already one within walking (or busing) distance on 25th. These big corporations are leeches that suck the soul out of the areas they inhabit. What the Ave is sorely lacking these days is an abundance of soul. Removing or defacing a historical building and giving another minority-owned small business the boot in the process will only serve to further destroy our beloved neighborhood. This cannot be allowed to proceed. Let another small business take the place of Flowers and show the Ave the love and care it so greatly deserves!"
Michael: "I've been going to cedars of Lebanon for almost 10 years. The owners are incredibly friendly and kind and make me feel like I'm part of a neighborhood! If they are displaced it will change the U district for the worse! We need more family-owned businesses and more international cuisine!"
Michelle: "Putting at McDonald’s in the udistrict will ruin it its uniqueness, and can cause other stores on the Ave to be affected. The Ave stores have a connection with eachother and adding a McDonalds will ruin this"
MK: "The last thing the Ave needs is a McDonalds!"
Molly: "desecrating flowers’s grave"
Paul: "We need to preserve what’s left of Seattle. Cedars is basically a landmark. You can’t replace places this when they are gone. Remember Cafe Mini? Trattoria Stella, etc? Gone. Even the original 13 Coins location. Gone. Mickey D can go find some other spot to ruin."
Rebecca: "Consider what Jack in the Box and Seven Eleven (on the Ave) do to our neighborhood and ask if we want another place like this. Let’s say no to corporate establishments and keep it local like Pike Place Market."
Sarah: "The big draw to the ave is the abundance of small businesses that foster community and bring a unique experience not available anywhere else. A McDonald’s is the exact opposite of what makes the ave so special. Additionally, cedars of lebannon has been a cornerstone of the community of many years. One time, I walked my dog there to pick up dinner and they gave my dog some scrap salmon! They are so generous and the food is a great value."
Sheena: "Part of why I loved living near the Ave so much is that it felt like a real place, instead of a just another cookie cutter corporate cancer. I very much want to move back there one day, and I have friends there I like to visit, so I'd rather it didn't get paved over to make way for some disposable franchise that's not going to be here half as long as what it's displacing."
ShengYao: "We don’t need another McDonalds to replace a unique presence near campus."
Syrenka: "Cedars of Lebanon is an important legacy landmark in the U District. This family-owned, small business makes delicious and affordable food, and also contributes mightily to the community and character of the neighborhood. I have personally witnessed the owners donate free food to unhoused individuals. They make a point of getting to know their customers, neighbors, and the homeless folks who frequent the area. They watch over the street with compassion and care, and serve as unofficial guardians. I grew up in the U District and attended classes at the UW. My family still lives there. Small businesses like Cedars of Lebanon serve as beacons of hope and make the U District a better place to live, shop, visit, and experience. We need them in this neighborhood."
Theodore: "I'm another looking to help save Flowers. I have another petition, but also have a Facebook "Save U-District's Ness Flowers.. Say NO to McDonald's." Please follow that Facebook as multiple groups try to come together and fight McDonald's."
Tom: "The U District is a key part of our city, and Cedars is an example of why it is special. Let's keep the U District different!"
Wendy: "McDonalds is the last thing needed at this location. Cedars is a small family-owned beloved local business."
Sheen: "The Ave is a place for locals and small businesses. No one wants more corporations pushing out our culture and causing unfair competition with a global giant in a college town vibe. They already have a busy location down in Ravenna just a short walk from The Ave. McDonalds can go play monopoly somewhere else!"
Steve: "This city has already lost most of what made it unique and culturally energetic, due to the "corporatization" of the whole town."
Cindy: "I've seen the Ave through years of changes. When I was first hanging out there, there were vacant lots all along the Ave, with grass and shade trees, under which the hippies would play guitars and everyone sang and had a great time. So many changes! I'd like to help preserve just as much of the Ave as I can. There are too many changes! Bogus."
Karin: "My favorite place on earth please don’t tear down anything else"
Gayle: "Let’s keep the “U District Unique”! MAC Donalds belongs near a mall or in a driver friendly location ~ they are bound to fail & are hurting small business by wasting the iconic “Flowers” space & displacing an iconic restaurant (Cedars of Lebanon)."
Jay: "I've always thought this was such a cool location. I wasn't a regular there, but I know it was popular with college students (a bit too popular, in hindsight). I would love for the space to be taken by another small business or literally anything that would preserve its character."
Support Small Businesses
The University District community has a long history in support of its unique legacy small businesses.
Community Advocacy
Letter to City Council
On March 17, 2025, the University District Community Council sent this letter to Council President Sara Nelson requesting support from the City for our many independent, legacy small businesses.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.
— Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
Stay in the loop!
Subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter.