By Sadie Hunter
Camping outside businesses in parking lots is something typically reserved for those waiting in long lines for Black Friday shopping, but with that day on the books for 2015, anyone driving near Hamilton Town Center in the evening hours of Nov. 18 may have seen similar commotion near Noblesville’s newest Chick-fil-A restaurant at 14098 Bergen Pkwy., just northeast of the shopping center.
More than 100 camped out the evening before the store’s Nov. 19 opening to be the first in line.
Instead of rushing the doors though, campers were awoken at 5:15 a.m. when they were then lead across a red carpet to the ordering area with a Chick-fil-A cow and trumpet player, all while being cheered on by the staff of the store and its owner, Sam Hartman. While waiting for the 6 a.m. opening though, campers enjoyed games, music and more, in addition to a children’s book drive to benefit Shepherd’s Community Center.
The motivation to camp out? A one-year supply of Chick-fil-A food. The First 100 event is something the fast food company has done for 12 years, giving more than $26 million away in free food. This opening gave away more than $32,000. The offer consists of 52 meals that include a chicken sandwich, medium-sized waffle fries and a medium drink.
The addition to the chain of Chick-fil-A restaurants across the nation will create nearly 100 jobs in Noblesville. The new location makes for the city’s second, the other at 16685 Mercantile Blvd., and the 18th in a 35-mile radius of the store.
