Rock City closes indefinitely; lays off part-time staff due to COVID-19 impact

Staff File Photo / Mike and Gale Nickels, from Southgate, Mich., look off the bluff at Lover's Leap at Rock City. The attraction has closed due to the coronavirus threat, with an anticipated open date of March 28.
Staff File Photo / Mike and Gale Nickels, from Southgate, Mich., look off the bluff at Lover's Leap at Rock City. The attraction has closed due to the coronavirus threat, with an anticipated open date of March 28.

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Rock City Gardens and the Battles for Chattanooga museum will remain closed until further notice, according to a press release from See Rock City Tuesday.

Rock City officials announced March 14 the popular Lookout Mountain attraction would be closed until March 28, but they have since decided to close indefinitely, the release states. Rock City announced they also laid off part-time staff, although they did not state how many employees were let go.

"We have made the difficult decision to temporarily lay off our part-time partners, and are making other business adjustments in response to the pandemic," said See Rock City President & COO Susan Harris. " ... Decisions of this type are heartbreaking, and the last 10 days have been the longest year in my professional life."

The release also states senior leadership and members of management teams voluntarily opted to reduce salaries during the coronavirus outbreak.

Clumpies Ice Cream has also closed its scoop shops but will continue to offer online ordering and local delivery service. The Starbucks on Lookout Mountain will remain open for carryout service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at this time.

Other popular attractions in Chattanooga, including the Tennessee Aquarium and the Creative Discovery Museum, announced in recent days they have also fired part-time staff and temporarily closed.

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