I remember the Columbus franchise very well because my friend George Roberts, a former Citizen-Journal business editor, and I had the PR contract for its grand opening. The franchisee was Grace Chen, a highly successful owner of Chinese restaurants. We staggered the event over three evenings because we knew the response would be wildly successful. To the governor, the justices, all the legislators, lobbyists, CEOs and professionals, we sent wedding-sized invitations of raised ink on card stock, with a tongue-in-cheek, pompous text. "Madame Grace Chen Modestly Invites You and the Woman of Your Choosing to the Grand Opening ….. formal attire, please." The promised mementos were garter belts for the ladies, the attached button reading, "I met my man at JoAnn’s." Usually successful in our work, even George and I were stunned at the quality of the crowd. The guv did not personally attend, sending his press rep. But the whole rank and file were right behind Verne Rife, a grand guy of blessed memory, House Speaker and, as one member of the entire loyal opposition said to a reporter, "We’re here to keep an eye on the Speaker." After those grand opening nights, George and I enjoyed free chili at JoAnn’s at any hour we pleased. The down side was that costume approval gave me astigmatism, and as a result I am forced to wear trifocals to this day. And, yes, as all the rest have said, the chili was awesome.