Carol Stupin makes a sandwich at Cloud Springs Deli, a new business she runs with her husband, Tom.Map
4097 Cloud Springs Road
• Name: Cloud Springs Deli
• Location: Gateway Mall, 4097 Cloud Springs Road, Ringgold, Ga.
• Contact information: 706-956-8128
• Products/services: A variety of homemade sandwiches, barbecue, soups and sides for dine in or take out
• Age: 6 weeks
• Startup investment: $10,000 to $15,000
• Business history: Carol Stupin and her husband, Tom, ran a convenience store and deli called Stone Hill Grocery that went out of business when the recession hit. After that, Stupin decided to focus on just the deli aspect of the business and start over. "That's the part we enjoyed the most," she said.
• Biggest hurdle: Getting people into the restaurant. "That's the hardest thing, trying to grow it," Stupin said. "You're always hoping it'll boom right off the bat." Still, she said she expected business to start out slowly because they opened at a traditionally slow time of year.
• Biggest reward: Getting to know the community. Stupin said she loves talking to customers when they come in and, at her old business, enjoyed watching repeat customers' families grow up, with the children starting families of their own.
• Lesson learned: When opening a business, keep moving forward even when times get tough. "Just be positive about it," she said. "Stick with it. Don't get discouraged. It will work."
• Five-year goal: Expand the restaurant. Cloud Springs Deli has 5,000 square feet, not nearly all of which is used, and a full kitchen. Stupin hopes to expand the restaurant to the full property size and feature live music and karaoke.