The line just a few hours after the first Five Guys hamburger haven opened in Monroe County on Sunday showed that patrons at the Shoppes at Stroud Center are hungry for a change of pace.
"I was thrilled," said owner Ann Negvesky after the opening. "Monroe (County) has embraced our burgers. It exceeded expectations."
Negvesky said that a demographic study indicated the Route 611 shopping center in Stroudsburg is the most feasible spot in the area. Although it is a bit tucked away from the focal point of shoppers' vision, the distinguishable red-and-white logo captured the curiosity of enough patrons to keep the line rebuilding as a coterie of employees bumped elbows providing brisk service.
Galvanized pails of peanuts were placed on the tables, and in the back of the business there were 30 sacks of potatoes and a dozen boxes of peanut oil.
"We want people to see that everything here is fresh," said Negvesky. "We pride ourselves as a cool, fun place to be. There's no frills here. What you'll expect is the best burger you ever had."
You know, the same story basically played itself last year in Mechanicsburg at the Five Guys on the Carlisle Pike. Their parking lot was full every day. But here it is, a year later, and I drive past the place almost every day around lunchtime, and usually the lot is less than half full. Monday there were four cars in the lot.
Their burgers are tasty, but this IS a premium priced fast food hamburger. And in today's economy, I wonder how well such a place can do for the long haul. You can still figure out a meal for 4 for $7 at the grocery, which is what a burger and a soft drink will set you back at Five Guys. It just seems like more people are likely to go the grocery route now than they did just a few months ago, and that's probably the way it will be for a while.