AURORA | The lunch rush at the Chick-fil-A restaurant on East Alameda Avenue and South Crystal Street had a special symbolism on Aug. 1, as diners lined up to show their support for the chain in the wake of controversy.
At around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, customers spilled out of the restaurant’s front doors and cars snaked past the drive-through lane into the parking lot for the Aurora Town Center. The crowd came to acknowledge “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” a national movement that came after CEO Dan Cathy spoke out in favor of “traditional marriage” during an interview.
Karen Hendrich drove 115 miles to the Aurora restaurant from Akron, Colo. to eat chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and milkshakes with her parents in support of Cathy’s stance on traditional marriage.
“I support him for what he had to say. I feel like there’s a lot of people that believe like him but few people that want to actually stand up and say that. We are supportive of him,” she said.
The chain garnered at least one new customer, Jerry Nall, who said he will now be a regular customer at Chick-fil-A.
“I came here today to support the CEO and the Chick-fil-A corporation with traditional marriage values, a man and a woman, not same sex,” said the Aurora resident after eating a spicy chicken sandwich.
After Cathy’s statement on traditional marriage brought a firestorm of criticism from gay rights groups and politicians across the country, customers lined up to send their own message.
“I think it’s funny that people are protesting somebody having the right to an opinion,” said Brandon Claassen, who waited in line with his father, Steve Claassen.
“I think it’s a freedom of speech issue,” Steve Claasen said.
Sarah Young stood in the front parking lot with her three children on Wednesday, seeking signatures for a petition in support of a personhood amendment for the ballot in November. Young, who had bought food from the restaurant before setting up camp outside, said she supported the concept of “traditional marriage.”
“I figured I’d get a really good turnout because we’re all on the same page,” Young said as a woman approached and eagerly agreed to sign the petition. “I haven’t had any negative responses at all, actually.”
Just would like to give kudos to this local chick- fil- a. They were open early friday 7/20-2012 morning only to feed the local police,fireman,ambulance drivers, and reporters during the tragedy. The store lost money because many customers were not able to reach the store because of road blocks. They knew this was affecting their business yet they went out of their way to be there for the rescue personell, families, and victims during this tragedy. I’m sure those people got a discount too. The staff and managent from this store need to be given recognition for going above and beyond in caring for its community.
I too had never eaten at a Chick-Fil A. Not only do I completely support an individuals [including Dan Cathy] Constitutional Right to openly speak his opinion – I visited a Chick-Fil A [Aurora – Havana and Mississippi] in support of his right to say it! Funny thing happened – It seems a HUGE number of folks understand his ” right to speak” as well – but the food was really good also!
I’ll definately be back many times!
SUGGESTION – make it mandatory to have all the Mayors [NY, Boston, Chicago, etc] who stated they would do everything in their power to prevent a Chick-Fil A restaurant from being allowed to open a store in “their” city take a mandatory course on the USA Constitution with special emphasis on Amendment 1.