It was a sad, sad day when Waddle's closed its doors in May of 2004. The iconic coffee shop in Jantzen Beach was loved by many, myself included. There were bittersweet rumors afterwards that, at the very least, the building and historic clock sign would survive in the form of a Krispie Kreme franchise.

But as Phil Stanford reported on Friday, Waddles posthumous fate has taken a not-so-bittersweet turn for worse. Apparently, Krispie Kreme has pulled out and the most vile, wicked and all around lame restaurant franchise in the world has pulled in.

That's right, Hooters is currently vying for the property.

If Hooters manages to pull this deal off there's no telling what they'll do to the sign, which is one of the first things motorists see when they drive into Oregon from Washington. It's been "grandfathered in" which means it can't be torn down completely but I'm sure Hooters would be allowed to alter it significantly. Could the Hooters owl replace the historic Waddle's duck? Could the little guy be replaced with a limp double-entendre like "Welcome to the Beaver State"? Or, worse yet, will Hooters' goons just leave up the, in this context R-rated, "Eat Now."

Now I'm not a prude and I'm not entirely opposed to different adult business moving into the Waddle's building and toying with the sign (provided they leave the duck alone). If I'm not mistaken, Portland has the highest number of strip clubs per-capita than any other city in the country. A dirty duck sign might serve as an appropriate gateway into this town o' depravity. But Hooters shouldn't be the ones to do it. Why? Because of, well, pick a reason.

Ideally, another coffee shop should move in. Shucks, even a Sherry's or a Denny's would be better than Hooters.