Nestled amidst the quaint charm of Hamburg, New York, a silent battle rages. The unlikely combatants? A colossal burger and a rusty blue water tower. Leading the charge is Chris Hannotte, a burger-loving retiree on a six-year quest to transform the town's aging landmark into a roadside icon – a 130-foot-tall, mouthwatering monument to America's favorite food.
Hannotte isn't alone in his burgerly ambition. The town boasts a rich hamburger heritage. The Erie County Fair, held within Hamburg's borders, claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger in 1885 (though competitors fiercely dispute this juicy title). Even the annual Burgerfest celebrates everything patty-related, a testament to the town's deep-fried devotion.
But skeptics remain unconvinced. Resident Dan Schinzel, whose backyard directly faces the water tower, sees it as an eyesore, not a tourist magnet. "Why would anyone detour to look at a giant burger on their way somewhere else?" he scoffs. Schinzel envisions a more distinguished fate for the tower, perhaps even its demolition.
However, Hannotte sees dollar signs where Schinzel sees rust. He dreams of tourists snapping selfies with the colossal burger, fueling up at local gas stations, and indulging in juicy delights at Hamburg's restaurants.
The project has faced its share of hurdles. Fundraising remains a challenge, with Hannotte vowing to keep the project tax-free. Even the weather throws a wrench in the plan – the Buffalo winter's icy grip makes painting a six-week ordeal.
Yet, there have been victories. A local artist, Dylan Cownie, designed the winning burger, a masterpiece adorned with lettuce, tomato, red onion, bacon, and the obligatory ketchup and mustard. The Buffalo News even published a burger-boosting editorial, calling the project a chance for "good-humored place-making" and a quirky roadside attraction.
The question remains: Will the Great Hamburg Heist succeed? Will a colossal burger become Hamburg's beacon, or will it remain a quirky footnote in the town's history? Only time, and the clinking of coins in Hannotte's donation box, will tell.
