Another business has closed its doors on Signal Mountain, bringing the total number of businesses that have closed or moved off the mountain this year to five. Not even longtime Signal staples such as J & S Shoes, which closed in February, are immune to economic struggles.
Pepper Jack's - a sit-down, sports bar-style restaurant serving pub fare and meat-and-three options as well as draft beer - opened in April of last year. After the restaurant's Nov. 23 closing, co-owner Lee Skidmore declined to comment on the reasons behind the restaurant's shuttered doors.
One can only guess the restaurant was unable to make ends meet.
With so many businesses failing to stay afloat, it begs the question: Do Signal Mountain residents really want businesses on the mountain, or do they see the mountain as a place to get away from it all? We asked our Facebook fans to share their opinion, as well as what types of business they would support.
Despite the community's already-existing locally owned grocery, Pruett's Signal Mountain Market, several residents suggested adding chain groceries such as Publix or Trader Joe's.
The majority of respondents had a coffee shop at the top of their local-business wish list.
Ben Holliday said he would like to see a good sit-down, American-style restaurant that serves breakfast. Robert Jackson agreed, adding that he'd like a good meat-and-three.
LeeAnn Tucker Browne pointed out that several restaurants meeting the description of these residents' desired dining experience have closed on the mountain in the past few years, and a couple of coffee shops have gone under as well.
If business owners are getting it right in terms of what the customer wants, then why can't they survive? Tell us what you think at facebook.com/SignalMountain.