New burrito chain draws critism

Students angry with the addition of a Chipotle restaurant to Kirkwood Avenue ripped down the sign announcing the restaurant's arrival on one of the busiest streets in Bloomington.\nUpset by the emergence of yet another commercial chain in downtown Bloomington, the group of students tore the sign down, denouncing its operations and relation to parent-company McDonald's.\nSome residents think a corporately-owned store will be taking away business from other local establishments in town.\n"There are better places in town, plenty of local places that don't destroy the local community," junior Bridget Kennedy said.\nShe also said corporate foods aren't very healthy and someone can eat food that is better for them at the local restaurants.\nStudents who are fond of Mexican cuisine have another choice when it comes to filling their stomachs.\nCorporately owned by McDonald's, Chipotle will begin serving up burritos and tacos including meats like chicken, barbacoa, carnitas and steak. For beverages, customers 21-years and older can indulge in margaritas and domestic or specialty beer. Those who are not yet of legal drinking age can choose from the different soda options.\n"(Chipotle) is a quick, casual concept with excellent food," said Mark Heath, Chipotle real estate representative. He said Chipotle has a different style than the other restaurants in town.\n"(Chipotle) is really pretty unique, very different," Heath said.\nKirk Hobbs, second vice chair of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce board of directors, doesn't see a problem with chains moving into town.\n"It's happening to everyone else. I would assume that it would happen here," Hobbs said. "I think competition is good. Bloomington offers a lot of variety, and chains add to that."\nSome owners of independent restaurants don't feel there is a need to worry about Chipotle taking the customers they currently serve and have been serving for years.\nTortilla Flat is an independently-owned restaurant that has been in business on North Walnut Street for eight years. Like Chipotle, it serves burritos, tacos and quesadillas.\nBecky Wann, owner of Tortilla Flat, doesn't believe Chipotle will pose a threat to her store. \n"I don't feel like (Chipotle) is any different than other Mexican restaurants," Wann said.\nLike Tortilla Flat, Laughing Planet is an independent Bloomington restaurant. It strives to serve healthy foods to its customers, said manager Justin Kirkwood.\n"I think a lot of customers come here because we are locally-owned and geared to healthy foods," Kirkwood said. "We have our own target audiences (and) are pretty confident with what we do."\nLike most of the other local restaurant owners, the Taco Bell employees don't seem to mind the competition, either.\nAngie England, Taco Bell store manager, doesn't think there will be much competition between the stores. She said Chipotle will not threaten the late-night business Taco Bell receives by staying open until 2 a.m., since Chipotle closes at 10 p.m.\nDespite the controversy surrounding the restaurant's opening, Bloomington residents can expect to see Chipotle in the former home of McDonald's on Kirkwood Avenue.\n-- Contact staff writer Joetta Hinton at jehinton@indiana.edu.