Rejoice, o ye suburbs. Now that the far-seeing city council of the 800-pound municipal gorilla in our midst, Portland, has restricted from the environs of that fair city any new business wearing the scarlet letter of “national chain,” ye have unparalleled opportunity.

With the business scene of that fair city protected from the invasion of these plebeian, tasteless invaders, profitable and healthy businesses will be forced to locate elsewhere – maybe even nearby.

And where goeth the stores, cometh the customers.

The Portland city fathers’ stated rationale is to prevent a “cookie-cutter” appearance of the Forest City, a decision that apparently prefers the present motif of “for sale or rent,” which has been the mantra of their downtown for donkey’s years. It is said, in fact, that the motto, “space available,” is soon to appear on the city seal. But, dear suburbs, don’t fault Portland because it doesn’t want to look like every other city in the United States. It is a policy that can only benefit each of you.

To be able to reproduce Miami on Portland’s peninsula with a few Quiznos and Radio Shacks would seem an outcome most unlikely to occur, no matter what. However this Solomonic decision does protect the pristine bar scene which used to occupy so many of the recently departed Portland police chief’s waking moments.

The inspiration for this decision appears to be the proposed arrival of a national chain restaurant known as Hooters (even though owls seem not be a part of its mystique). Hooters, known far and wide for its hamburgers, will thus be forced to locate elsewhere. Not to be selective in its rejection, Portland’s new rule applies to any brother (or sister) establishments, ever increasing in number, who are cursed by a standard company format. But Portland’s antipathy to Hooters’ restaurants apparently does not extend to Hooters airline (yes, scholars, such an airline does exist, mostly to serve Myrtle Beach). Thank God L.L. Bean varies its retail establishments.

Now, dear suburbs, opportunity knocks. At least three substantial locations to relieve the commercial overflow from Portland come readily to mind.

Offering sanctuary to Portland rejects could be Scarborough, with its new and attractive Haigis Parkway, close by highways and low of taxes; Gorham, with its industrial park located well for customers from Buxton and other metropoli to the west; and Westbrook. with tons of heated and accessible space being made available by Sappi, as the manufacture of paper migrates. How about a Hooters for Scarborough, a Victoria’s Secret for Gorham and an Urban Cowboy with mechanical bulls in Westbrook?

There is in this decision of Portland, therefore, potential promise for the area’s less cookie-cutter conscious communities casting about for commerce.

Think of the benefits it would provide hamburger lovers in Scarborough, lingerie lovers in Gorham and points west, and cowboys in Westbrook.

Rodney Quinn, a resident of Gorham, is an author and former secretary of state.