New Kid In Town
In most small towns when a new restaurant opens it’s big news. Even the mention of one causes folks to talk. The village I live in has no chain restaurants probably because of it’s size and possibly because of the village building policy, but the neighboring town north of me is on the verge of having two big chain outfits opening for business.
A major sandwich shop and pizza parlor will soon be providing goodies for the people who have been driving north or south 20 miles or more for those special meals they’ve seen advertised daily on TV or in the local newspaper. That will no doubt affect the established restaurants already there somewhat, but it will also benefit the local economy by providing new jobs. So it’s a ying/yang situation, the Goliath’s are moving in and possibly hurting the David’s but the population in that town is growing so it probably will be a win/win situation all the way around with more choices locally and more money into the local economy.
Now in my village it’s a bit different because there are no chain outfits but there are seven excellent restaurants here in full operation. Three of these restaurants could be classified as “fine dinning” establishments with posted menu prices reflecting that. Two of the three are going great guns and the third one is in the “wait and see” mode.
The other four restaurants are very successful and provide a variety of meal choices. However, with all of these choices available the restaurant getting the most attention and drawing rave comments is the “new kid in town”; a small family operated Mexican taqueria. Taqueria’s were originally street vendors specializing in burritos and tacos and this is small restaurant but has a full menu of authentic Mexican food to eat there or take out and in the future they plan on home delivery.
There wasn’t much talk going on about this place before it opened but suddenly it’s become the hot spot in town and guess what, no one here is complaining that “that big fast food chains are taking over the village.” On the contrary, it’s more like; “at last, a friendly spot with great food, prices and great service!” Sometimes it’s a good idea to come into town under the radar and show them your stuff as the “new kid in town”!
To reach Rick Schultze by email: yarick@pioneer.net