Eddie’s Energy Bars Blog

Since I am at school nine months out of the year, I am forced to read the Seven Days online every single week. It’s world’s better to read it with a tangible copy in hand, but most of the time I will make do by reading it with my eyes focused on my brightly lit laptop screen.

Well, as the online content gets revamped every Wednesday, I logged on yesterday as usual, and jumped right to the Food section of the Seven Days website (my favorite section).  I clicked on the article about QTees (I had no idea what it was, so curious me wanted to find out). The article got more and more shocking as I read on.  Apparently, the only Dairy Queen in Vermont is no longer a Dairy Queen.  The owner does not want to partake in some mint-explosion blizzard as a promotion for St. Patty’s day.  She also revolts against the big wigs at DQ and makes made-to-order sandwiches.  With these differences, the owner has decided to split with DQ and name her establishment QTees.

The article goes on to say that, with the absence of a McDonald’s in downtown Burlington (Vermont’s largest “city”), and with the only state capital to not have the golden arches, Vermonters don’t really like fast food.  The author also found out that Vermonters are dead last in the amount of money they spend per person on fast food.  To me, this is no surprise.

In the 802, Vermonters (at least me) have come to dislike “chain” anything, especially when it comes to restaurants.  We don’t have a lot of fast food places, we don’t have a lot of chain restaurants, and frankly, the little independent eatery kicks butt compared to anything big and money hungry.  The food is fantastic, and a lot of the time it’s local–which is fantastic!

In a lot of small Vermont towns, residents still walk to the country store to pick up their milk, eggs, and the morning paper.  Some towns don’t even have broadband access!  In Vermont, there is an incredible desire to support the little guy, and not the huge conglomerate (that’s why farmer’s markets are so successful in Vermont).  For example, we were the last state in the nation to get a Lowe’s, granted we already had Home Depot, but we all know their service isn’t too fantastic.

I bring this mentality where ever I travel.  I always say to my parents (and they know it) that I much more prefer to eat at a local restaurant rather than stop at a chain just off the highway.  I support Vermont companies whenever I can, and this is the mentality many Vermonters carry with them.

So, it’s no wonder that we hate the fast food palaces, because, well, we are the healthiest state in America.  Go Vermont!

Have an opinion on this?  Let me know!

Michael, Owner
Eddie’s Energy Bars