In a victory heralded by gyro lovers in Ames, the city notified the gyro stand on Feb. 14 that it could stay put at its Welch Avenue location, where it has been for 16 years. The good news hinges on an agreement made between Smiles Inc. and Kum & Go upon the use of Kum & Go’s restroom facilities.

A ruckus was raised last week when a local lawyer filed a complaint on behalf of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, asking the city to revoke the stand’s vending license because Smiles Inc. did not have a bathroom to provide for its customers.

Eyebrows were raised when the complaint was filed because Jimmy John’s was the new kid on the block, having just moved to Welch Avenue — and right next to the gyro stand — in September. Merchant and general manager Izela Guama have both complained about smoke created by Smiles Inc., people using its bathrooms and eating their gyros in Jimmy John’s. But even Guama admitted in the Daily’s Feb. 14 article that Matthew Goodman, Smiles Inc. owner, couldn’t look after his customers once they had received their gyros, saying, “You really can’t keep your eye on everyone.”

The problems that Jimmy John’s seem to be suffering are things that Merchant should have anticipated when the business was moved to Welch Avenue. One option that Merchant could explore is getting a security guard to keep those pesky gyro lovers out of Jimmy John’s if it is such a problem. Also, the deal with the bathrooms — no one is complaining about the hot dog vendor up the street from Smiles Inc. and Jimmy John’s. They don’t have bathrooms. And Smiles Inc. has been at the same location for 16 years. So why is someone complaining now?

What is wrong with a little friendly competition anyway? It is wonderful to see that Smiles Inc., a long-time staple among Ames bar-goers in Campustown and a locally owned business, is neck-and-neck with corporate Jimmy John’s. Smiles Inc. has been so successful that it has added an additional gyro stand on Welch Avenue just south of its original location to provide for its customers.

Merchant will be allowed to appeal the city’s decision, and according to the Daily’s Feb. 17 article, he is contemplating it. He claims that there are no hard feelings between the business owners, though. “We really want him to be around — we don’t want him to go away,” Merchant said. He only wishes them to move to a different location so the stand won’t block Jimmy John’s entrance.

Suck it up, Jimmy John’s, and keep making those sandwiches. You knew what you were getting into when you moved to the location. Let the customers decide. And besides, this is America, where competition among businesses is welcome and celebrated. Editorial Board: Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Ayrel Clark, Charlie Weaver, Katie List