By Staff Writer – Herald Comical
WINCHESTER, TN — Despite vocal concerns from nearby residents, the Winchester City Council voted Monday night to begin rezoning 27.98 acres adjacent to the Food City in order to make room for what officials describe as “a modest expansion” of the city’s Mexican restaurant landscape—approximately 52 new establishments, according to preliminary plans.
If approved, the new development would bring Winchester’s total number of Mexican restaurants to “somewhere north of one per household,” according to City Planning Director Debbie Caldwell.
“We hear the public loud and clear,” Caldwell said. “Citizens keep saying Winchester needs more ‘variety.’ And so we took that seriously. Some will have green signs. Some will have red signs. One will have a donkey statue wearing sunglasses. That’s incredible diversity for a town our size.”
Residents living near the site expressed mixed opinions.
“I’m not against Mexican food,” said local homeowner Terry Jenkins. “But I’m pretty sure we already have, like… 17 of them? 22? I’ve lost count. My wife and I tried to go somewhere different for date night, and we still ended up at a Mexican place by accident.”
According to developers, the complex—tentatively named El Plaza de los 52—will include taquerias, Tex-Mex cafés, cantinas, and at least one restaurant that insists on serving only fajitas and nothing else. Early sketches also depict two bars named El Patron located directly next to each other, though one representative insisted that “they’re totally different places despite having the exact same logo.”
Asked if Winchester might benefit from alternative dining options such as Italian, Korean, or “literally anything else,” the council said they had conducted a yearlong study and determined that Mexican restaurants remain the city’s “primary growth industry.”
“We’re proud to support local business,” said Councilman Ronnie Wade. “Even if they’re technically not local and all owned by the same three cousins.”
Officials also reassured citizens that traffic concerns have been addressed.
“We anticipate only minimal congestion,” Caldwell said. “Yes, 52 Mexican restaurants equals 52 lunch rushes, 52 dinner rushes, and roughly 52 sizzling fajita plate steam clouds hovering over Dinah—excuse me, Dinosaur—Boulevard. But we believe the infrastructure can handle it.”
Construction is expected to begin this fall, immediately following the grand opening of the city’s newest business: another Mexican restaurant, located inside the lobby of the existing Mexican restaurant across from the old highschool.
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