Some U.S. stores accepting euros

Paul Nelson reportingIt takes about $1.50 to equal a euro. The euro is so strong right now, some stores in New York are taking them as payment. Will this trend spread to other places, like Salt Lake City for example?

Economists say there are several reasons why the dollar is weaker than the euro for now. There's the slowing economy here, the strong economy in Europe and differences in interest rates.

Stone says his banks are busy converting this money because plenty of tourists bring their euros here.

"You wouldn't think it, but we get quite a bite of foreign currency from Southern Utah and the National Parks. A lot of these Europeans are getting more bang for their euro. A trip to the United States is roughly 15 percent cheaper than it was last year," Stone said.

Since we get a lot of European tourists here, I thought I would try to get any businesses to take euros as payment. I started with the Biaggi's Italian Restaurant at The Gateway. They told me to go to the bank first.

Beverage manager Robert Gamble said, "If the European tourist walked in, I would have them go to the bank and convert it."

"So, it's not just me," I asked.

"No," Gamble assured me.

Not wanting to take "no" for an answer, I pushed back. I discussed with Gamble how he could take the euros, pay for the tourist's meal himself, and then convert the euros when they're worth even more. No dice.

"As happy as that would make me, it wouldn't be right, and we live in America. Therefore we should pay with American currency or credit card," he said.

What about a prominent German restaurant like Wienerschnitzel?

I asked the attendant, "Do you take euros?" She responded with, "We don't have churros."

I also struck out at the so-called "International" House of Pancakes.

So, while other cities may be taking foreign money, businesses here in Utah are sticking with the good, old-fashioned American dollar.

Except for Zions Bank Foreign Exchange Services. Taking foreign money is kind of what it does.

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