I wrote previously about Portland not wanting a Hooters in town. Don’t get me wrong, Portland — and Maine in general — is desperate for jobs. Our economy stinks and businesses are complaining constantly about high taxes and lots more.
But a Hooters in town? No way.
Now a Dunkin Donuts wants to open a shop near where I live and again — no surprise — there’s another uproar! Today’s Press Herald reports that the local residents were in a panic.
Their worried about traffic, parking, trash, the safety of children walking in that area — you name it, they’re worried about it.
Funny, when there was a Pizza Parlor in the same space I didn’t hear a word of complaint. Could this have anything to do with “the Quality Shop” — a local business across the street that sells truckloads of coffee each week? I don’t hear folks complaining about the ice cream shop next door or the locally owned video store a few doors down. They both generate a lot of traffic too — they just don’t have that stigma of being a national franchise.
I’m fed up with all the folks who want more business in the state but not businesses like Hooters or chains like Dunkin Donuts. It’s the same old thing, “Sure, we need these places — but just not in my back yard.”
That’s why Maine has shown zero growth for as long as I can remember. The business climate in this state is deplorable and has been for years.
Some things never change ….
