Restaurant wholesaler open to public

People have to eat -- even during a sluggish economic period, Richard Arnold says.

"Sometimes when things are tough or when people lose their jobs, they decide to open a restaurant," said Mr. Arnold, manager of Chef Mart, a restaurant supply company that recently opened in Eastgate Town Center. "This isn't a bad business to be in."

The 8,000-square-foot retail store at 103 Eastgate Loop offers about anything a restaurant would need but also sells to the general public at wholesale prices.

Mr. Arnold, a former executive chef with more than 35 years of experience, said Chef Mart can outfit an entire restaurant or sell a single bowl.

"Everybody tells us they can't believe how cheap everything is," he said.

Shopper Anne Moore admitted she isn't much of a cook, but she browsed the store on Friday looking for Christmas gift ideas.

She said she is impressed with the selection and the prices.

"Everything is really reasonable," she said.

Steve Sharp was in town from Kennett, Mo., visiting brother-in-law Bill Stacy, former chancellor at UTC. He said they saw the store from the interstate and decide to stop in.

"I know nothing about the restaurant business," Mr. Sharp said. "I just like to look at professional restaurant supply stores."

The store also offers a selection of used restaurant equipment that has been reconditioned, Mr. Arnold said. The used equipment, especially during the constrained economic climate, is popular, he said.

About 70 percent of Chef Mart's customers are what Mr. Arnold calls "at-home chefs" and account for about 20 percent of the store's revenue. About 30 percent of customers are restaurants; schools and make up about 80 percent of Chef Mart's revenue, he said.

Eventually Mr. Arnold hopes to hold several cooking classes at the store.

The Chattanooga store is the fifth Chef Mart location with others in Nashville, Clarksville, Tenn., Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Muscle Shoals, Ala.

CHEF MART

* Location: 103 Eastgate Loop

* Contact: 296-1155

* Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.