RutlandHerald.com - We Are Vermont

I've been reading a few comments that seem typical of some views in this state that everything needs to be "local." I tend to agree in some ways - buying local veggies, fruits, berries, milk, etc wherever possible; poking around local shops, etc. But being in technology, I have to say that Vermont is severely lacking in some wares. Food is fairly decent, but does not replace hankerings for particular kinds like Taco Bell or White Castle, which may be chains but offer something no one else seems to alight upon.

That being said, my husband and I waited for 20 minutes in line just inside the doors on Wednesday evening. Previously, we'd been traveling at least an hour in any cardinal direction to satiate our hunger for the simple, inexpensive, tasty treats that Taco Bell has to offer. We'd been anxiously awaiting the grand opening since we heard about it 52 days before it's Monday open date (which, we discovered, was moved to Wednesday).

It's sad that people are starving in our world. It's sad that wars happen. And it's horrifying to think that people can be cruel to other people and animals. But is it really sad that a Taco Bell opened in Vermont? I don't think so. If the demand is there, it's great. Over the years I keep reading about how the younger folks don't have anything to do, and I suspect that the design of our new Bell is such that it may even become a local hangout for some of our youth. The people who love TB's food and cannot find the likes of it anywhere else in the state finally have one closer when folks are so concerned about gas prices and pollution. (Read: OMG, now we can eat TB without planning a day trip up to Burlington to avoid wasting gas [no pun intended] on just food!!) Someone mentioned minimum wage, and I agree, it's tough to live on that, VERY tough. But our own State sets that wage, and people need jobs, and there have been writeups on youth taking more and more jobs away from people with families to feed. So, if Vermont business doesn't want to support families with higher-paying jobs (or can't), at least there's something that will hopefully be around a while that can help support them and our youth's desire to earn their own spending money. I'll tell you now that most of the staff I saw there were indeed young!

Further, I know traffic has been a concern. But it's true the initial novelty will wear off and that won't be quite so bad. This has been a good test of just how bad it might get, even in Fall and Winter with our annual out-of-state visitors. Taco Bell has been perfectly placed in a location where if there's going to be waiting, there's a place to wait. There are several places that can feasibly be exited from, too, especially if you're a regular and thus familiar with the area. Visitors may be the only real problem, and only if they're patient enough to wait in a line the length of the state.

Being so excited over a chain restaurant may seem silly and perhaps it does give people the wrong impression about Vermont... but I think it's a testament to the inner child which refuses to stop enjoying life wherever possible. And it's got to be better than McDonald's and other such places where regulars tend to turn into blimps. I've seen very few heavyweight Taco Bell aficionados. (The spice wouldn't permit it!)

Now, I'm not that versed on politics and economics, so it's quite possible I've got my head some place the sun doesn't shine. But with the few brains I have, I think it was a win for us and I for one totally support any business that's unique for our area and wants to do well. Taco Bell fits that bill.

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