“Disappointed” was the word many Kelowna TacoTime customers used to describe how they felt on the restaurant’s final day of operations on Tuesday (May 11).
Hundreds stopped by the Dilworth Shopping Centre business to get their final Taco Tuesday fix. After 40 years of tacos, the fast-food restaurant recently had its lease terminated and is shuttering its doors for good, with a new Starbucks location scheduled to take its place.
It’s the final Taco Tuesday for TacoTime #Kelowna. After 40 years of tacos, the fast-food restaurant is shuttering its doors for good.
The lineup for the drive-thru is currently zig-zagging through the parking lot pic.twitter.com/E1FGHp4yQn
— Aaron (@aaron_hemens) May 11, 2021
“I think there’s more than enough Starbucks and a few TacoTimes,” said Desmond Evans. “I enjoy their food and I think it’s unfortunate for a franchise like Starbucks that has too many to begin with.”
According to Starbucks’ online store locator, there are 16 locations in Kelowna. TacoTime, on the other hand, will now have only one location in town, located in Hollywood Station.
For more context: pic.twitter.com/MG6B8L7c3r
— Michael Rodriguez (@MichaelRdrguez) May 11, 2021
Replacing a taco joint with another cafe, Evans said, is a bad thing.
“I will never come to this Starbucks location,” he added.
Customers lined up inside and outside of TacoTime to get their last tacos for Taco Tuesday. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Similarly, Jeremy Harding described the move as “garbage.”
“We don’t need another Starbucks. We need tacos on Tuesday, with extra hot sauce,” said Harding. “I’m going to miss the cheap tacos. I’m probably not going to go to Taco Bell; I’m just gonna cry.”
A customer waits for their food. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Carl, who did not want to give his last name, said that Kelowna has enough Starbucks.
“(TacoTime) has been here for so long and it gives us a variety of takeout food,” he said. “There’s a Starbucks a stone’s throw away from here.”
Customers line up inside to get their final tacos. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Shauna M. described herself as a loyal TacoTime customer who’s been coming to TacoTime for 20 years.
“There’s a lot of choices for drive-thru coffee,” she said. “I personally won’t visit this new location.”
READ MORE: Final Taco Tuesday for Kelowna’s Taco Time
READ MORE: 40 years of tacos: Kelowna restaurant’s resolve is harder than its burritos
@aaron_hemensaaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
