Residents have been discussing the city’s survival lately. Well, here’s one thing that would bring instant improvement to Kimball—and it doesn’t require a special election or a lengthy public battle with county commissioners: one really good restaurant.

Don’t get us wrong. We love the town’s existing eateries, despite some occasional bumps. There’s no better spot for a late breakfast than The Longhorn. We dream about Mulligan’s burger. The Diner, Java Blend…you get the picture.

When Kimball residents speak of dining destinations, however, they list restaurants in Pine Bluffs, Scottsbluff or Cheyenne. When they visit their favorite haunts in these towns, they often spend $30, $50 or sometimes more.

That’s money Kimball could use. And one good restaurant employs a chef, a host or hostess, a bartender (perhaps) and a few wait staff—not necessarily at white collar wages, mind you, but every bit counts. Besides, such a place may encourage those living in nearby counties to venture into our city. If voters eventually decide to support a drag strip, the lure of a decent restaurant wouldn’t hurt, either.

It would, at the very least, keep all those promised visitors from driving to Sidney after a day of racing.

Obviously we’re not advocating bond issue. We simply believe the city would benefit from such an establishment, were some culinary entrepreneur to take the risk of setting up here. Indeed, it may be something for a new economic development director to pursue, before tackling the more weighty issues.

But if a destination restaurant ever opens in Kimball, it’s up to residents to support it.