Published: December 13, 2007 11:43 pm      

TIM PRESTON: Drive-thru greeting changing 121607

I don’t tend to write much about national franchises or fast food, but I’ve been noticing something different when I’ve pulled up to a couple of drive-thru windows in recent weeks.

Instead of hearing, “May I take your order?” or “Would you like to try one of our new ...?” some places have adopted a new greeting which goes something like, “How are you today?”

As we all know, there are some people you shouldn’t ask that question without expecting a 30-minute answer complete with historic family footnotes.

The first few times it happened I assumed I had stumbled across particularly friendly people, or possibly trainees who hadn’t yet been properly coached in the art of being dismissive to their drive customers. When I had a short wait for an order at Long John Silvers, however, I asked the girl at the window about the greeting. She said, “They make us say that now,” and confirmed there are some who answer by describing their every ailment.

For me, it is a nice, friendly change of pace that provides a second or two to figure out what I want, covering for my inevitable awkward moment of indecision. Like many people, I often become a complete idiot when faced with tough questions such as “What do you want to eat?”

Event Essentials

Kim Young officially became a new business owner recently with the opening of Event Essentials.

Young contacted the Morehead State University Ashland Small Business Development Center in August as she began making plans to buy Jan’s Unique Creations in Flatwoods, and received free advice and guidance to help make the plan a reality. Young worked with Kim Jenkins to develop a business plan, three-year cash flow/profit-loss projection and discuss options for buying business assets. A few weeks later Young submitted her business package for loan consideration, and her proposal was approved in November.

Event Essentials is a one-stop event planning business now open at 209 15th St. in Ashland, specializing in wedding accessories, keepsakes, candy making supplies, cake decorating, invitation and program embossing as well as tuxedo rentals. The business is essentially geared toward two markets, wedding consumers and party planners/entertainers.

For wedding customers, Young has all the resources needed to plan an entire ceremony. For people planning parties, even events with unusual or elaborate themes, Event Essentials is also prepared to provide customized, personal attention to the details.

Event Essentials is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday and at other times by appointment. For more information call (606) 327-8866.

Anyone interested in working with the Small Business Development Center can call (606) 329-8011.

Cool toys

I watched five or six hours of Cartoon Channel programming last week during a few days away from the office, and I have to admit there are some cool-looking toys on the shelves. This seems especially true of the electronic gadgetry market, obviously including video games and systems.

As a fully qualified overgrown child, I’m especially fascinated by the many forms of micro-helicopters available, as well as toys featuring robotic technology which would have been considered cutting edge a decade ago.

I spotted a couple of really inexpensive ultra-tiny remote control racing cars I may have to buy for a little buddy of mine, just to satisfy my own need to play. I think I really just need a big cardboard box to amuse myself with.

One more chance

If I’m looking at the calendar correctly, there will be one more chance to get any Christmas shopping suggestions into this column. Due to the timing of the holiday print schedule and work week, I need to receive those ideas by Wednesday.

I’ve been getting a lot of notes from people suggesting gift cards, which are an excellent option for many. The only problem is, there are too many to mention. I will say, based on personal experience, a plastic card worth $10 in cheeseburgers and fries can be worth a million bucks to a kid. The same theory holds true for golfers, guitarists, poets, priests and politicians.

If someone on your shopping list has an affinity for anything, there is almost certainly a gift card out there which is the ideal Christmas present for them.

One relatively new twist on the gift card game is the incentives being offered. For example, Rodney Winters at the Boston Beanery on Greenup Avenue said they give you a free $10 coupon if you purchase $100 worth of gift coupons for others.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.