After reading Estep's column and the reports on the tourism receipts from the restaurant tax, I wonder if our area, and I mean the whole tri county area, could really support some of the bigger name chain restaurants that so many want here. I'm talking Outback, Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse, Logans, Friday's, etc. Sure we have the Applebee's coming, but, I think the area will support it because it is the first. Could our economy support 2 or 3 of them.
With our job losses, and the new wearing off the alcohol issue, could we keep up the business required for these higher end establishments. I'm not talking about the Bob Evans and Cracker Barrells, as they are a full day type restaurant.
With an average meal for 2 running $40 or more at those high end places, could they stay afloat.
When they reported the loss of revenue, and keeping in mind when all the quarterly tax receipts come in they could rise somewhat.
I think it could support one or two, depending on which ones they were. But that's about it.
I'd say another one similiar to Applebees, like Friday's, Chili's or something like that, and then a steak house chain, say the Logans, Texas Roadhouse, style. I don't think it would support a Red Lobster or Outback, their menu's are a little too pricey over the long haul. Of course, if you've been to the Depot lately, there's is too. But, places like the Depot can easily adjust their prices where chains can't or won't.
A Darryl's, or T.W. Lee's, or Crab Shack or something like those I don't think would make it. They would have to have a more diverse price menu.
But, the Vintage House did well, and they were really pricey. But again, they could adjust their prices themselves.
I'm talking about the restaurants that mainly only serve lunch and dinner, and serve alcohol. A Bob Evans, Ihop, Boston Market or something like that would do fine. I thought the london cracker barrell would hurt corbin's, and they would both suffer, but, I sure was wrong on that one. They need one in williamsburg too. Williamsburg's citizens alone would support one there.
Fast food will always do well, especially around the interstate. I've heard a new Pizza Hut, Long Johns, Captain D's, and Steak n Shake is coming to exit 25 this next year. Also, Little Caesars is looking at a south corbin location I've heard. Right now, it's Domino's on the south end and that's it. The East end has Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Snappy Tomato, and Little Caesars. The south end has only one pizza joint to serve it, and Tattersall alone would support another pizza place. I wish a Big Ed's would come up from Oak Ridge and open up.
