OUR VIEW: ‘America’s Drive-In’...in Culpeper

Staff Editorial
Published: September 15, 2008

» SUMMARY: With Sonic’s arrival, Culpeper will soon be in fast-food heaven. Waistlines, beware!

There’s a certain editor at this newspaper who has often said, “If a Sonic ever came to town, I’d be 15 pounds heavier overnight.”

Well, with “America’s Drive-In” about to open in Culpeper, it’ll soon be time for him to hit the treadmill and swim a few extra laps — right after he downs an ultimate cheesy breakfast burrito and blue coconut cream slush, of course.

Over the past few years, our town has seen a number of big-name chain restaurants set up shop along the Bus. 29 corridor. And when Sonic begins construction (plans call for November, with an opening in early 2009) in the Target shopping center, it will represent yet another positive retail development that gives consumers a wider variety of dining choices.

Right now, Sonic junkies have to drive a cruel 26 miles to the closest location —all the way down Route 3 and nearly into Fredericksburg. That’s just too far away. We’ll be glad to have access to 99-cent junior banana splits right in our own backyard, thank you.

Other encouraging signs for hungry locals include plans for a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Bruster’s Ice Cream.

Carl Sachs, Culpeper County’s economic development director, said it best when he called it “a very optimistic sign that, in the housing slow-down, there are still some (businesses) that still have faith in the community.”

Our taste buds couldn’t agree more.