By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
Jeff Lawson wasn’t ready for this. In fact, he was a bit startled.
All he wanted was his favorite – a four-way with Habanero Cheddar – that spicy twist of classic cheddar, blended with fiery Habanero peppers for a serious kick.
But he was in luck this day.
“I drive by this spot all the time,” he told the Northern Kentucky Tribune, “and today it looked really nice from the outside and the sign read, ‘Open.’”
That sign on 422 Philadelphia Street, Covington signaled the Grand Opening of a new Skyline Chili – the oldest standing Skyline franchise in the Commonwealth.
And Jeff Lawson, a 41-year-old practicing attorney was the very first paying customer.
“This is great,” he said. “I try to have Skyline less than twice-a-week – but I’m not very successful.
“Skyline is an institution in the area,” says the the Indiana University law school grad. “It’s like Cincinnati DNA. New York and Chicago have pizza; we have chili and spaghetti.”
Lawson arrived at the new location on his scooter – “I always travel like this” – after a ribbon-cutting ceremony was staged Monday in the store, which was purchased by One Holland Group.
President Gary Holland attended the festivities, as did Covington Mayor Ron Washington, members of the Covington Business Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
But Lawson actually traveled furthest for his chili meal.
“My law-school buddies were big Skyline fans,” he said, as Ms. Willie put the Skyline bib around his neck. Ms. Willie is a Skyline lifer – “Fifty-two years,” she told the Northern Kentucky Tribune.
“My buds and I would come from Bloomington (Ind.) to watch the Reds,” he continued, “and were hooked on Skyline.”
And Skyline is hooked in the community.
Holland – the man – presented a $1,000 check to Covington Mayor Ron Washington to aid the city’s youth programs, and another $1,000 check to The Point/Arc of Covington.
“We always like to make our mark in the community,” Holland said. With and without their food.
As for The Point/Arc, Holland promised to present the 54-year-old non-profit organization ten percent of Monday’s opening day sales – and also a portion of the Skyline Chili T-shirts that are on sale at the new location.
“Those T-shirts,” said Judi Gerding President and Founder of the Point/Arc, “were created and produced at our apparel shop in Latonia.”
For Lawson, his first probably is a first.
“I never played sports,” he admitted. So, he was never a member of a first-place team – and if he were first in his graduating class, you would have read it earlier here. “I was smart, through,” he said.
Yet, he was first to pay at the counter – but that won’t be his last visit.
Will you be back?
“Of course,” he said, “this week.”
