Hartwell (pop. 4600) is a small town in a small county (Hart, pop. 26,000) .
Before COVID, small businesses in Hartwell went thru 3-to-5 year boom-bust cycles. The addition of a Purina plant in the last five years has helped stabilize the local economy, as has the number of work-from-home professionals and retirees who have moved here.
But, the city planners need to have their heads examined:
A Church's Chicken is going up right in the middle of the retail section of town. Normally I would welcome another dining choice. But just down the road sits Zaxby's, Guthrie's, Bojangle's, and Popeye's. All in a 1 mile radius, inside city limits. If you go west another mile, a Blazer's Wings.
How much chicken can we eat?!?
And that same radius has more than a half dozen other fast food choices, and plus a half-dozen local eateries. And two Starbucks (WTF is that about?).
If you're ever here: Guthrie's is the best. It's a throwback to the old days of fast food. Tiny place. Take out only. Three things on the menu: Tenders, fries, drinks. Four, if you count the tender sandwich. Best chicken tenders and dipping sauce I've ever had. A bit pricey, but worth every penny.
Before COVID, small businesses in Hartwell went thru 3-to-5 year boom-bust cycles. The addition of a Purina plant in the last five years has helped stabilize the local economy, as has the number of work-from-home professionals and retirees who have moved here.
But, the city planners need to have their heads examined:
A Church's Chicken is going up right in the middle of the retail section of town. Normally I would welcome another dining choice. But just down the road sits Zaxby's, Guthrie's, Bojangle's, and Popeye's. All in a 1 mile radius, inside city limits. If you go west another mile, a Blazer's Wings.
How much chicken can we eat?!?
And that same radius has more than a half dozen other fast food choices, and plus a half-dozen local eateries. And two Starbucks (WTF is that about?).
If you're ever here: Guthrie's is the best. It's a throwback to the old days of fast food. Tiny place. Take out only. Three things on the menu: Tenders, fries, drinks. Four, if you count the tender sandwich. Best chicken tenders and dipping sauce I've ever had. A bit pricey, but worth every penny.


