Hooters Wing Bar Opens in Fort Smith, Arkansas

In spite of the protests of a few area residents, Hooters, the "delightfully tacky, yet unrefined" restaurant based in Clearwater, FL recently opened in Fort Smith, AR. The complaints mostly centered on the location, which is quite close to a residential neighborhood, but right in the middle of an extremely busy intersection just off I-540. Funny, but the residents who said they merely did not want a restaurant in the area had no problems with a 24 hour Waffle House a stone's throw away which has been there for years. There is a convenience store that sells alcohol right across the street.

There was even a flap over a message on the marquee shortly after the opening. It read " There's too much chlorine in the Gene Pool", which some area residents took exception to. It was even featured on the local news. I'm sure it was a harmless joke and a Hooters spokesman explained that the messages come from guidelines set by headquarters. People who lack a sense of humor seemed to be looking for anything to criticize the chain for.

Then there were a few who acted as if a strip joint had opened up on the busiest street in Fort Smith. I'm sure most of them have never even been in one of the restaurants and their husbands' may be going there without their knowledge or consent. Silly.I've eaten, and yes, enjoyed the scenery in my single days, in several Hooters in the Dallas area, in Fayetteville, AR and various locales over the years.

Like one letter to the editor of the local paper, written by a woman, said: the same people who are ready to stone Hooters girls or patrons of the place, have no problem with their daughters going to the mall or Wal-Mart wearing similar attire or less. Most of us have seen skimpier outfits at public pools, some worn by underage girls.