I want to keep this simple. I hesitate to write it, but it needs to be out there for reasons that will become apparent.
I parked at the Pizza Hut next door to Common Grounds at 10:23 this morning (according to the clock on my car), right in front of a tow-zone sign protecting Pizza Hut's parking spaces. I considered this choice, looked over my shoulder to see the sign on the door advertising that the restaurant opened at 11 and decided I would either leave Common Grounds by 11 (most likely) or eat at Pizza Hut (considerably less likely). Either way, I wouldn't be around to have my car towed.
However, soon after grabbing my computer bag and walking past the closed restaurant, I was informed by a Pizza Hut employee that I would be towed.
"How do you know I'm not planning to eat at Pizza Hut at 11:15?" I asked the gentleman.
He informed me that I was going to Common Grounds, which, ok, I was. But I couldn't eat at Pizza Hut at that moment. If I could've bought a personal pizza just to spite him, I would've done it. But they were closed.
And since when are people who drink coffee and people who eat pizza mutually exclusive? (I concede that probably not many Common Grounds patrons dine at Pizza Hut).
This obviously upset me. In fact, I considered not writing this blog because I know that I shouldn't write something just because something petty makes me angry.
But before I made that decision, I moved my car and called Pizza Hut in order to talk things through with the manager. After all, the guy in the parking lot didn't know I am Waco's most prominent restaurant blogger (am I coming off priggish yet?), so he could be excused.
The manager told me the parking was reserved for Pizza Hut at all hours. When I attempted to explain that I wrote a restaurant blog he ended the conversation.
"I don't take kindly to threats," he said. "Do what you feel you have to do."
And then he hung up.
So because I wasn't threatening him — I was earnestly trying to have a conversation with him about the parking policy and how it affects potential customers, wanting him to talk me out of writing this — now I feel like I need to write it.
I don't know. You be the judge.
But here's what I think. I think Pizza Hut needs to change its parking policy and share its entire lot with Common Grounds and anyone else who wants to park there for any reason. If not, I think Baylor needs to seriously consider Pizza Hut's attitude toward students and potential customers. I can think of about 100 things I would rather see occupy that space than a Pizza Hut.
I know I won't be dining there. How about you?
