A week ago today, news broke at the Ottawa City Council meeting that a Culver's restaurant will open on the town's north end.

Predictably, the complaints from those who seem to complain about everything began to roll in nearly immediately. The newsroom posted a note about the item to Facebook at 8:14 p.m. Two minutes later, the first commenter said, "Really, can't we get good food?" Agreements followed in rapid succession, with many people suggesting other restaurants they'd rather see set up shop in the Friendly City.

It reminded me of when I wrote for the newspaper in Clinton, Iowa, when news of any new restaurant opening was quickly greeted with a chorus of people calling for a Red Lobster or an Olive Garden. Such sentiments get real tired real fast, and they say more about the complainer than anything else.

Why isn't Ottawa getting a Red Lobster? The same reason Ottawa isn't getting an indoor water park or a new golf course or a Porsche dealership: the economy won't support it.

Developing commercial real estate is not a complete game of chance. There is risk involved, to be sure (exhibit A: the late Ottawa Starbucks). But the companies and developers that last in this country do so by smart growth, not just plopping things wherever they please.

Furthermore, the people who develop commercial real estate really, really like to make money. So if someone thought an Olive Garden would be profitable in Clinton or Ottawa, it would already be open. Before you complain about what restaurants we don't have, consider how expensive such places are to operate, and how many people must walk through the door each night just to break even. How much of the bottom line are you willing to account for personally?

When it comes to national chains, Clinton and Ottawa have a lot in common. Both lost a Country Kitchen, a Blockbuster Video and a Hardee's. Both have nice, new Arby's restaurants, and before too long, both will have their own Culver's. As far as my taste buds are concerned, those are winning propositions. As are Olive Garden and Red Lobster. But we're not here to talk about my taste in food. Believe me, there is neither the time nor the newsprint to have that discussion.

What really frosts me about all the angst over the supposed inferiority of a town without an Applebee's is how it must anger the people who put their heart and soul into operating local restaurants. Ottawa, Streator and other local communities have some terrific locally-owned eateries, places that don't have the benefit of national marketing campaigns and global reputations. But they still put great food on plates and, more importantly, write paychecks to your friends and neighbors (not to mention the sales and property tax obligations).

Perhaps I'm biased because dining out is one of my favorite simple pleasures. Maybe I put too much esteem into the worth of a good meal. And we can always quibble over how strictly to define the word "local" in terms of any business. But I have raved to anyone who will listen about some of the great places at which I had the pleasure to dine in eastern La Salle County, and thinking about the dedication and effort of the people behind those victuals makes me appreciate the experience all the more.

Much as I love Culver's — and I do — I don't think news of a new franchise in Ottawa warrants a ticker-tape parade or even a front-page headline. I'd say the same for any new chain, fast food or otherwise. It is news, however, and I wish people would accept such news simply as a sign of growth and not as an occasion to gripe.

Instead of obsessing about what we don't have, I'd really like to see people spend more energy raving about what's already here. To paraphrase one of my generation's great philosophers, Ferris Bueller, life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop complaining and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

• SCOTT T. HOLLAND is former associate editor of The Times but continues to contribute his column plus help with editing, writing and page design. He can be reached at scotth@mywebtimes.com.