COLUMN: Gyros' success hinges upon respect for community

There are few opportunities in our day to see the true character of individuals. In a world pitting catchy marketing against integrity every day, it becomes hard to know for whom one should rally. As the owner and operator of Smiles & Gyros, I was recently "invited" to a hearing at the Ames City Hall. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss complaints lodged by Ahmed Merchant, the owner of Jimmy John's, against the gyro stand. During this meeting, Izela Gauna, the manager of the Campustown Jimmy John's, claimed we were responsible for trash in front of her store. I responded that every night we are open, we pick up all our trash in front of her store, and on Thursday through Saturday nights, we walk up and down four blocks doing the same.