Posted on 08/01/2012 9:48:07 AM PDT by madprof98
Though Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia had not yet opened, Martha Hyde, Betty Moses, Sylvia Parish and Ann Whitley wanted to be among the first Wednesday to demonstrate their "appreciation" for the facility's Chick-fil-A location.
"We just love Chick-fil-A, the food and the workers," the group, which meets daily to mall walk, said as they sat in the food court dining on Chick-fil-A biscuits, coffee and breakfast platters.
Today is Chick-fil-A "Appreciation Day," the brainchild of former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Huckabee last week asked fans of the Atlanta-based company to come out today to show their support for the chain, which has been the center of a media storm over statements made by Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy.
Cathy's statements in June and July in support of the biblical definition of marriage raised the ire of supporters of gay unions, who have been increasingly concerned about the company's donations to anti-gay marriage groups. They plan a "Kiss in" on Friday to show their opposition to Cathy's remarks.
The company made clear that "Appreciation Day" is independent.
"Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was created by our fans, not Chick-fil-A," Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A's executive vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "We appreciate all of our customers and are glad to serve them at any time. Our goal is simple: to provide great food, genuine hospitality, and to have a positive influence on all who come in to Chick-fil-A."
There were indications during the morning rush that the event was having an impact. Cars waiting to get to the drivethru at the Powder Springs location spilled out into the street while business was brisk inside the packed Chick-fil-A store in Fayetteville.
Julie Greene of Marietta said she and her family — including her children and her parents — plan to eat breakfast, lunch and dinnner at Chick-fil-A today in a show of solidarity with the company.
"We love the Cathy family stand on biblical values," Greene said as she waited for breakfast in Powder Springs.
But Greene was quick to say that she had no hatred toward anyone. Her support comes down to free speech.
"Why can't (Cathy) say what he believes without being persecuted for it," she said. "We have our freedoms. And freedom of speech is one of our greatest."
Conyers resident Clarence McSwain, who also was with the Stonecrest Mall walking group, said, "Chick-fil-A is a very nice establishment and I wholeheartedly go with Mr. Cathy and his values. I think he and Chick-fil-A have been consistent."
Parish, also of Conyers, agreed. "Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, so nobody should be surprised by their position on this. I think they are making a mountain out of a molehill."
Stay tuned for updates throughout the day on this developing story.
Taking a lemon and making lemonade.
What a trooper. ;O)
There are moral, upright, conservative people everywhere. It's somewhat disturbing when otherwise intelligent people put down an entire state and all its inhabitants because of the politics of the majority of the state.
Likewise the opinion is frequently expressed that one should simply move out of such a state. Simplistic solutions are very rarely practical. I'm not a nomad without roots, I've lived and worked and prospered in Illinois for more than 40 years, I have children, grand children and great grand children here, plus I own property here.
None of that means that I approve of how this state is governed, I hate it and vote against liberal politicians in every election, state and local.
I'd have to drive across a city about 15 miles to get to the nearest Chick-Fil-A and it's going to be jam packed today, because a lot of people in that city are just as conservative as I am, even if they are in the minority. I learned to hate long lines during 4 years of active duty.
Add to all that, the fact that I utterly hate chicken,can't even stand the smell of it, I will be encouraging my wife and kids to go there and perhaps bring me back a shake.
I live in a county of just over 50,000 with one chick-fil-a.
I can’t believe it. Packed FULL. Cars lined up for over a mile! Police are having to direct traffic. Some are parking in other lots and walk to get their chicken.
Do you have a link for ordering merchandise?
If Mitt Romney has half a brain, he’ll be line at a Chick-Fil-A today.
Now, if Penny’s would fire Ellen Degenerate and merely claim they are NO LONGER OPENLY EMBRACING the homo agenda, maybe their stock would be worth something
They do not even have to REJECT it- just claim neutrality on the issue since they want EVERYONE to be customers
Forgot to mention that the AJC was outside taking photos.
I live in a county of just over 50,000 with one chick-fil-a.
I can’t believe it. Packed FULL. Cars lined up for over a mile! Police are having to direct traffic. Some are parking in other lots and walk to get their chicken.
Misleading headline (by the rag).
I'll bet that a good percentage of today's business is not from "fans" of CFA, but fans of free speech.
Even if you don't like their chicken, you get tired of having this PC crap crammed down your throat.
Never mind, I read the rest of your reply.
I live in the SE part of the city. I went by the one closest to the house. I have never seen anything like this. There is a bank and shopping center nearby and the parking lots at both places were full and the line going through the drive through was extremely long. Guess I will have to go back much later on.
I live in the SE part of the city. I went by the one closest to the house. I have never seen anything like this. There is a bank and shopping center nearby and the parking lots at both places were full and the line going through the drive through was extremely long. Guess I will have to go back much later on.
That was well said, Graybeard58. I know I am not leaving this state unless my wife decides she wants to, and she isn’t the moving type.
I would rather stay and fight anyway.
But the last several years have been discouraging, and the last several months with the homosexuals making inroads in the military and such, it has been extremely discouraging for me.
But this put a smile on my face.
And it has nothing to do with hate. I don’t hate homosexuals. I pity them, though I do feel animosity towards the vocal, militant members of that segment of society.
As a matter of fact, two guys came up and asked what the long line was for, and I told them it was to support the views of Chick-Fil-A, and they were astonished. One guy pointed his thumb to the other guy and said “He is one of the people they are against...”
I told him it wasn’t that the owner of Chick-Fil-A said he hated or disliked homosexuals, wouldn’t hire them or wouldn’t serve them, he just answered honestly when asked that he believed in traditional heterosexual marriage.
The one here in Mobile closest to me has been wild since the doors opened.....My brother just called and said traffic is backed up both ways on Schllinger Road.....when I was there at 0930 there was a double line around the building for drive thru and inside was packed. The employees were all smiling and apologizing about the time wait to get an order and the customers were all smiling and talking to each other. All were saying the same thing - this is not about gay rights - this is about our freedom of speech! Period. I just went to two local owned restaurants to get some gift cards for my brother and both places (usually pretty busy at lunch) were almost empty and all the employees were talking about CFA and saying they were glad Americans were finally standing up and fighting back even in this little way.
Love your post — it made me laugh ;^)
May today be a dress rehearsal for Nov. 6!
I want to give a shout out to the Chick-fil-a employees also.
Can’t speak for any other than the one store I visited but suspect this holds for most all their stores.
The counter employees are in a class apart from the usual fast food employee.
Cleen cut, friendly, helpful, well spoken.
A pleasure doing business with them.
Just got back from lunch. I have 3 observations:
1. They were absolutely covered up. Inside they had every register open and it was 3 - 4 deep at all of them. The line at the drive through wrapped around the building, out into the street and about a half block down the road. And it was only 11:30!!
2. The clientele were the most polite and friendly group of people you would ever hope to be part of. Laughing with each other and just having a good time. BTW, it was a good sampling of America - all colors, shapes and sizes - all having a good time.
3. There was not a reporter anywhere.
Just returned from lunch at the Chik.
Hundreds of people. Out the door lines. Tables in the parking lot.
Talked to manager. Previous one day sales record was 1700 people. At 12:15 they had just passed 2600.
See...I got a smile on my face and you laughed...CONSERVATISM IS A POSITIVE FORCE FOR GOOD IN THIS WORLD!
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