While still without a response from the City of 琉璃神社 or his building鈥檚 property management group, Taco Time owner Ray Heathcote said the response to his from the community has been incredible.
The Taco Time at Dilworth Shopping Centre is set to be replaced by a Starbucks in the near future鈥攖he coffee giant鈥檚 16th location in 琉璃神社.
Heathcote started the petition to nix the Starbucks and 鈥渉elp save your Taco Time鈥� on June 27, and at the time of publication of this article it has over 7,500 signees, with the next goal being 10,000.
鈥淭o put it in one word: overwhelming,鈥� Heathcote said. 鈥淚n the best way.鈥�
READ MORE: 40 years of tacos: 琉璃神社 restaurant鈥檚 resolve is harder than its burritos
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Comments on the petition are plentiful and show the community鈥檚 immense support for the local business.
鈥淚 used to live in 琉璃神社 and they were always fast and good food. Save the tacos!!鈥� James Chevalier wrote in support of the petition.
鈥淪afeway behind has Starbucks in it. This business is just fine where it is. People need to eat a burrito or taco and get off the stimulants for a long while. VIVA TACO TIME!鈥� James Brychun wrote.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great family place!! And a longtime landmark!!鈥� Linda Price wrote.
And 鈥渓ongtime鈥� it certainly is. The petition states Taco Time has 鈥渟erved your community for over 40 years.鈥�
鈥淣ever missed a lease payment and always been a great tenant,鈥� reads the petition. 鈥淏ut overnight there was a demolition clause in the lease that the property management company is trying to enforce.鈥�
It continues, 鈥淲e paid our dues in rent, taxes and more than enough blood, sweat and tears to survive. Longstanding businesses deserve more than a pat on the back and a kick in the butt from corporations that aren鈥檛 part of your community.鈥�
The closing date of the restaurant has not yet been announced, and if the Heathcote and his staff have their way, it won鈥檛 be any time soon. It is believed the restaurant has more than two years left on its current lease at the Dilworth Shopping Centre location.
Heathcote claims he is still waiting on a response from the city to the petition which continues to grow on a daily basis.
The property management group, the Peterson Group, has yet to respond to a request for comment.
at Dilworth Shopping Centre has posted this statement on the front door of their shop.
鈥� Michael Rodriguez (@MichaelRdrguez)
