Hooters rumor doesn't stand

Those looking for "delightfully tacky, yet unrefined" fun are not going to find it in San Angelo. Yes ASU students, the rumors that a Hooters restaurant was coming to town appear to be false.

However, if students want to go and eat at "The Best Watering Hole in Town," then they can eat at the new Zoo-Kinis that will be at 4132 Sunset Drive. There has been construction at this location across from the mall for quite some time now, and many hoped that this was confirmation of the Hooters rumors.

San Angelo will join Abilene, Amarillo and Lubbock as host cities for a Zoo-Kinis restaurant. The opening date for the new location does however seem to still be up in the air at this point. Student Sammy Ruiz couldn't seem to hide his disappointment about the rumor being false. "I wish Hooters was coming for obvious reasons, and also because I believe it will bring more money for the city than Zoo-Kinis will."

No matter how Ruiz feels, it does appear the project is moving forward as construction crews continue to move at a fast pace.

Ram Page has learned that Greenstreet Construction out of Lubbock is building the interior section of the restaurant, while Lewisblanck Construction, which is headquartered in San Angelo, is designing the exterior portion of Zoo-Kinis.

This excites local resident Al Newell who said, "I can't wait for Zoo-Kinis to open, I've never been in one so I'm curious to try it out and see what it's like."

If San Angelo is anything like the other three West Texas cities, then Zoo-Kinis will soon become a hot spot for eating, because this one is being built here because of the success of the Zoo-Kinis elsewhere in West Texas.

Many of the students wanted to see the Hooters come to San Angelo, but that appears to be because many haven't ever heard of Zoo-Kinis.

"I would have rather seen the Hooters, only because I'm not really familiar with Zoo-Kinis," student Anna Martine said.

Cory Church, a student from Lubbock who has eaten at Zoo-Kinis, said, "It was always crowded because it's a great place to eat delicious, but also healthy food."

However one feels about Zoo-Kinis, there is great news for students who are looking for a job, because the new restaurant is now hiring staff for the San Angelo location. Students can apply at www.zookinis.com. It appears time will only tell if Zoo-Kinis will be as successful in San Angelo as it is in other West Texas locations.