GREENVILLE —
The Chick-fil-A restaurant in Greenville was filled with customers throughout the day Wednesday, and not necessarily because everyone suddenly had a craving for sandwiches, nuggets or strips.
Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country reported huge crowds, all wanting to “Eat Mor Chikin” during Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee called supporters of the chain to rally around the company’s president and COO, Dan Cathy, who last month voiced his public opposition against same-sex marriage.
The local restaurant was jammed for the lunch hour, with rows of customers four and five deep at the counter indoors and with a line of patrons snaking its way out the door and into the parking lot.
In that long line was David Moffatt of Canton, who came to Greenville specifically for the event, along with his wife Coco and daughter Kelly, as the Van Zandt County city doesn’t have a Chick-fil-A.
“It was either Tyler or here,” Coco said.
“This was a lot easier drive than going to Tyler, believe me,” David added. “We looked it up on the Internet.”
“We will be coming here from now on,” Coco said.
At least one Greenville church had cancelled their regular Wednesday night worship service, asking the congregation instead to meet at Chick-fil-A for dinner.
Christian music artists Mercy Me were also reported to have appeared at the local restaurant Wednesday.
Herald-Banner readers certainly wanted to express their thoughts on the issue, posting almost 200 comments to the newspaper’s Facebook page as of Wednesday evening. Most of the comments were in support of the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day and the company’s views.
“They are one of the better fast food places to eat,” said Katie Rawlings Tillery. “The staff is always courteous and I especially appreciate the values of the company. My whole family will be eating there for dinner.”
Venita Nekole chose not to dine at the restaurant.
“They have a right to their opinion just like everyone else, however some things are best left unsaid,” Nekole posted. “If a regular citizen were to rent a billboard and post something like that it wouldn’t have been so well received. I will NOT be eating there today, not any other day.”
“I don’t support gay marriage but I also don’t support people judging other people,” added Sarah Comer. “Who are we to judge?? God is the one they have to stand before in the end so let Him do the judging and lets just get through this thing called life!”
And Joann Lawton chose to follow the advice of a recent Texas gubernatorial candidate.
“I am a big supporter of free speech,” Lawton said. “On the other hand in the immortal words of Kinky Friedman, ‘I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us.’”
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Long lines to "Eat More Chikin"
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