Another restaurant closes on UT Strip

Another restaurant closes on UT Strip

By MELISSA DiPANE
6 News Anchor/Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- A once-popular restaurant on the Cumberland Strip is shutting its doors.

Charlie Peppers is closing down after 12 years in business. The restaurant will close on Sunday.

Managers say business is too slow to stay open.

Peppers is just one of a string of restaurants and bars in that area to come and go.

The Cumberland Strip location of Charlie Peppers is shutting down just months after their West Knoxville location was sold to Dan McGrews.

Managers say slower than normal business after some UT football games is one reason they're shutting down.

Neighboring restaurant Stefano's Pizza says business has been good.

"We had a really good football season. I would say it was up. I know our October was up from last year," says Sandra Hobbs, manager of Stefano's Pizza.

The strip has been a hit-or-miss location for many restaurants and bars.

Just months ago, Macleod's moved from its Market Square location and successfully made its new home on the strip.

Some eateries can make a profit while others end up shutting down.

"A lot of businesses in the last year and a half have shut down. There are a lot more empty buildings on the strip than I've ever seen," says J.T. Baker, manager of Sunspot.

Sunspot is a staple of the strip, but its managers have also seen business slow down on Cumberland.

"Business has been a little down," says Baker. "We are doing okay because we have regular business but we've had a bit of a hit the past few months."

Baker says he's not sure why. "The Cumberland Strip is kind of dying. A lot of focus on downtown and Turkey Creek. Everyone's forgetting the Strip."

Cumberland businesses rely heavily on UT students. Those that survive they're still open because they try to appeal to everyone.

"When the students are gone, business is down. We are fortunate to be close to both hospitals we get business from all those businesses," Hobbs says.

Restaurant officials say they are preparing to be sold.

There's no word on what business will move into that location.