It's been a tough week for markets on Market Street.
The only way it could be worse is if your name is Dodds and you live on the shooting gallery that is Dodds Avenue.
Still, so far this spring, Beuhler's Market has surrendered the ghost and now news comes that 212 Market has announced it is closing its doors.
Here's the statement made Monday on the restaurant's website: "The Moses family is very proud of 212 Market, our wonderful customers, employees & memories. 212 Market dared to enter the downtown area when there was nothing and as Tennessee's 1st certified green restaurant & Chattanooga's first foray into the farm to table concept, it has continued to do so for over a quarter of a century. Our family's lives have changed over the past 5 years, leading to the very hard decision to close. The Moses family thanks you for your years of friendship, laughter & community involvement. With sadness we end our 25 years of a great run. We all made a difference."
Jay Greeson
This gave me pause in each instance of a Market Street market meeting its conclusion.
First, these are family owned businesses that have served niches and made lasting impressions on the face of downtown. Long before we were the coolest town in the history of the interwebs, these businesses were the bricks surrounding the foundation poured by the Tennessee Aquarium.
The irony of timing - the aquarium celebrates its 25-year run of renaissance May 1 - can't be missed.
The Tennessee Aquarium rightly gets an avalanche of the credit for getting the ball rolling on the downtown redirection. With more than 23 million visitors in just under 25 years, Jack Lupton's vision was truly visionary.
But what do we want around it?
With Monday's announcement and the recent crumblings of the cholesterol-strong, spelling-deficient Cheeburger, Cheeburger, there are about to be a few prime locations open downtown.
What goes there? Parking, maybe? Another fern-bar, chain restaurant, potentially, that would give Market Street even more of the feel of Gunbarrel Road? A rental paddleboard kiosk or juice bar? Maybe we can cut into the curb, have a bike lane roundabout and everyone can meet and meditate with a ice frappe.
So we bid adieu to another family owned hallmark, but we do so with this request.
These local establishments - be they restaurants like 212 or even Wally's on McCallie, which will celebrate its 80th birthday today with 1930s lunch prices - must be celebrated - and frequented whenever possible if the means and inclination suit you.
Losing places like 212, places where we all have a story, hurts.
My story is two-fold. I took my wife on our first date there. After we were engaged, my parents met her parents for the first time there, and it's where I asked my dad to be the best man in my wedding.
No matter what's there in the future, that will always be 212 Market. Thanks for the memories.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.