HOOOOORAAAY!
One of my biggest depressing moments when I moved to Huntsville was the sad realization that one of my favorite restaurants was NOWHERE close to where I lived. Its hard enough having to learn where everything is in a new city, what local establishments are cool, etc. But when your favorite chain locale isn't in the area, its heartbreaking.
Especially considering that Huntsville is a larger market than Columbus, GA. I mean, really??? There are more people living here, and its only 4 hours away, so its not a regional thing, because this IS the same region. PANERA BREAD was seriously missing the boat here.
So much so, that the week I moved up and discovered I was PANERALESS, I wrote corporate Paneraians an email pleading for them to open a new store in Huntsville. I sent demographics, explained that Huntsville NEEDED a Panera, and showed the larger size versus their very successful Columbus market store. I mean really.... in the 2 years I lived in Columbus, my patronage would have funded the store alone. They couldn't afford NOT to open a new store.
But recently, my grey skies became bright! A "Coming Soon" sign... PANERA was opening in Huntsville! YAY! Now, I'm sure they had been planning it long before I sent them my very demanding email plea, but I'm going to let myself believe my fantasy that my letter moved them so much, they opened a Panera in less than 5 months, just for me!
So today I am proud to report that I had a WONDERFUL lunch.... and what exactly does a drag racer eat during her work day, you ask?
As Huntsvillians are all studying the new menu to them, I think the girl behind the counter was quite shocked when I blurted out in one breath:
(I swear, they should be my corporate sponsor. Really... they can't find a better spokesperson...HINT, HINT!)
Especially considering that Huntsville is a larger market than Columbus, GA. I mean, really??? There are more people living here, and its only 4 hours away, so its not a regional thing, because this IS the same region. PANERA BREAD was seriously missing the boat here.So much so, that the week I moved up and discovered I was PANERALESS, I wrote corporate Paneraians an email pleading for them to open a new store in Huntsville. I sent demographics, explained that Huntsville NEEDED a Panera, and showed the larger size versus their very successful Columbus market store. I mean really.... in the 2 years I lived in Columbus, my patronage would have funded the store alone. They couldn't afford NOT to open a new store.
But recently, my grey skies became bright! A "Coming Soon" sign... PANERA was opening in Huntsville! YAY! Now, I'm sure they had been planning it long before I sent them my very demanding email plea, but I'm going to let myself believe my fantasy that my letter moved them so much, they opened a Panera in less than 5 months, just for me!
So today I am proud to report that I had a WONDERFUL lunch.... and what exactly does a drag racer eat during her work day, you ask?
As Huntsvillians are all studying the new menu to them, I think the girl behind the counter was quite shocked when I blurted out in one breath:
"I'll have a You-Pick-2 broccoli cheese soup and greek salad, hold theOh PANERA, how I've missed you!
tomato, extra feta with a french baguette, a small drink, and a chocolate chip cookie, FOR HERE."
(I swear, they should be my corporate sponsor. Really... they can't find a better spokesperson...HINT, HINT!)
Posted by Erica Ortiz on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 2:34 PM | Permalink 
Post a Comment