While last weekend’s government shut down may have prevented federal employees from heading into work, it was business as usual for average Americans who woke up early, drove into town, and gathered together for another candlelight vigil honoring a recently deceased fast food restaurant. It started as a viral joke after a Montgomery, Alabama Taco Bell burned down on January 17, but it didn’t take long before someone threw together a Facebook event to make it a reality. On Sunday night, over 100 people reportedly gathered in the parking lot across the street to collectively mourn the loss of their Crunchwrap Supremes.
Those who attended the event were invited to “stand together in the loss of our beloved Taco Bell” and were treated to an emotional interpretive dance and vocal performance from some youths clad in white. When asked why she organized the event—as if there needs to be a reason—Montgomery resident Katie James told the Associated Press, “It just gave people something to talk about other than all the negativity that’s going on right now.”
This huge outpouring of support for Taco Bell may give readers the impression that there are no other restaurants in Montgomery, Alabama. On the contrary, there is an Arby’s directly across the street from the burned-down Taco Bell and a Waffle House nearby. But as local comedian and vigil attendee Ashley Nicole Portis told reporters, “Sometimes they’re out of waffles. Taco Bell, they’re never out of tortillas.” Also, the local enthusiasm for Baja Blast cannot be overstated.
As the story of the vigil gained national attention, Taco Bell reached out with a statement of thanks to their supporters and promised they “are already planning [a] comeback and will rebuild!”