Red Rock Grill owner Lisa Gilkey looks out the window as cars speed past her Dayton Boulevard restaurant during another quiet lunch hour.
"I've been open for six months and haven't made a dime," Ms. Gilkey said. "I sit here watching loads of traffic for an entire day, and I know this place should be packed. I've lost all my money."
The Florida transplant, who previously managed bars, said she moved here to "start a new life, but this probably won't survive."
Her problems apparently are widespread. Last month at a Red Bank City Commission meeting, Mayor Joe Glasscock locked his gaze on about 20 citizens and urged them to "buy Red Bank" after Commissioner Ruth Jeno cited several businesses that were struggling.
Commissioner Floy Pierce then lamented that "too many of our buildings are empty" before Mr. Glasscock predicted a citywide demise "if we don't support these businesses."
PDF: Red Bank available properties
Members of the Red Bank branch of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce took a step in that direction Tuesday night, showcasing the city's 61 leasing and purchasing opportunities in 37 empty buildings.
In an introductory speech, City Manager Chris Dorsey promoted the city's comparatively inexpensive real estate and proximity to Chattanooga, but he spent six minutes deriding "negative press coverage" regarding the city's three sets of traffic cameras.
One business expert said the time spent talking about traffic cameras may have deflated Tuesday's summit.
"Traffic cameras eat at people," said Richard Becherer, a professor of business and entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. "You don't dwell on negatives.
"It's hurting Red Bank," he said. "There's no question about it."
Dr. Becherer said Red Bank officials should forget about general appeals to people and focus on redevelopment. He suggested a method used by former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, who persuaded investors to finance the city's Riverfront project.
"The change has happened on Main Street, it's happened on Frazier Avenue, it could happen in Red Bank," he said.
Ms. Gilkey said she felt Tuesday night's event won't be enough to salvage Red Rock Grill. She said she felt "unwelcome" when city officials did not attend her ribbon-cutting ceremony last year.
"It's hypocritical to sit there and give a speech to tell citizens to support Red Bank businesses, but I don't see officials coming here at all," she said.