KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Several businesses in East Tennessee closed their doors this year.
Whether it was time for workers to retire or certain companies were not receiving as much business, these closures made an impact on the community.
After several decades of service, Long’s Drugstore became a fixture in the Bearden community and closed up shop in 2024. The restaurant and pharmacy were a hub in the community where people could come and celebrate milestones.
For Hank Peck, the owner of Long’s, it was like a second home to him. His father and uncle bought it in 1971.
The second-generation pharmacist took over the business in 1994, passing on the love for Long’s and a way of life. However, he said running the homegrown pharmacy side of the business proved to be too challenging. This led to Peck making the decision to close the doors permanently.
“I’ve always said that this place belonged to the community, not to me,” Peck said.
The independent movie theater posted online in February that it would be shutting down. Halls Cinema 7 said revenue did not keep up with the cost of operation, which is part of the reason why the theater closed.
Some of its customers were shocked when the news first broke, one of whom said the theater felt like home.
“Just has that small-town feel, you know?” Matt Hodgson said. “And nostalgic. I feel like I could go in here and like said, you know, remember a lot of things we used to do and how, you know, friends and growing up and hanging out in this area. And it just felt like home, honestly.”
The Seymour restaurant opened in late 2022 and announced its closure after less than two years of business.
Formerly located on Chapman Highway, the 1783 Eatery was owned by Stokely Hospitality Enterprises, a Sevierville company that also owns the Applewood Grill Restaurant and Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant.
Flyers were posted on the front door of 1783 Eatery that said, “Sorry we’re closed while we plan our next adventure. Thank you for your support and patronage, Seymour!”
The restaurant’s menu offered traditional comfort foods like pot roast and pork chops, as well as twists on classics — like a Nashville hot chicken mac and cheese dish.
The popular Knoxville bakery closed two of its locations in East Tennessee: Sevierville and Clinton Highway. Ham’N Goodys said business at the two stores had fallen off so it decided to close them.
“Sadly we are closing our Clinton Highway and Sevierville locations at the end of this month due to lack of business. Thank you to our dear customers and teammates in both of those communities!!” it said.
Ham’N Goodys has been a staple of Knoxville since opening on Northshore Drive in the late 1970s.
A restaurant that has served meals for the Powell community for around 19 years announced it would be closing its dining room.
Lulu’s Tea Room said on social media that it would officially close its dining room on Feb. 28, 2025, giving customers some time to eat a fresh meal inside a house located off Clinton Highway.
The restaurant said on social media that it was closing due to “rising cost of food, utilities, insurance and wages.” Starting in February 2025, its owners said the restaurant would start catering business lunches and special events.
The owners of the longtime fried chicken restaurant in Alcoa are heading to retirement after more than 40 years. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken closed in November.
Owners Tom and Sharon Fesmire opened the store in December 1982, right after The World’s Fair ended in Knoxville. Lee’s was known for its chicken livers, and its chicken recipe, which was developed in part by Colonel Harlan Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
“It was just a wonderful 41 years,” Tom said.
Merchants of Beer announced it would close on Oct. 26. The bar opened its doors in 2017.
The owner mentioned in a Facebook post that they have watched the craft beer scene grow and have proudly served local and regional brews.
Before the building was a Merchants of Beer location, it was a car rental business and a diner. The property has since been sold to Vector Hospitality for $5.15 million.
Fieldhouse Social, known for its craft food, beer and the “largest TV in the Southland,” closed its doors suddenly in late December.
Located near the University of Tennessee, the bar posted a sign on the front door that said, “We would like to thank all of our guests and friends over the past decade for the support you’ve given to our restaurant. We will miss you all!”
The restaurant has yet to release a statement on why it closed. WBIR has reached out for more information.
The family that owned Pero’s announced Pero’s on the Hill‘s closure in September. They said that co-owner Sammy Peroulas was retiring and that he was ready to spend much-deserved time with his children and family.
The restaurant thanked the community for their support and love over the years.
“We are grateful to have been a part of this wonderful community,” Pero’s said on Facebook. “Family milestones, joyful celebrations and stormy times weathered together. Friendship, comfort food, fun and family times truly make the magic! We appreciate you all! Cheers to past memories and the making of new ones!”
Surin of Thailand closed its Knoxville location at the beginning of 2024. The restaurant’s Facebook page and Google listing say it is permanently closed.
Formerly located on Kingston Pike, the restaurant served authentic Thai cuisine for decades. The last post they made was on Jan. 6 of the obituary of the owner, Surin Techarukpong.
Surin has other locations in Alabama and Georgia.
The Donut Shop announced its final day on Dec. 22. Located on North Broadway, the small business invited the public to share one last donut and celebrate what they have built within the community.
“Thank you for every visit, every smile, and every moment. You’ve made this journey unforgettable,” The Donut Shop said.
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