Gatlinburg - What's the Economy like? (Knoxville: sales, rental, to buy) - Tennessee (TN) - City-Data Forum

Nashville Cat · 01-15-2009, 09:22 AM

I had this question in the Business forum but it was suggested that I move it to Knoxville area forum:

Everytime I go to Gatlinburg the streets are full of people and the cars are bumper to bumper. Is Gatlinburg doing well during this downturn or are all these people merely walking and driving to get away from home? I am thinking about starting a small business when I retire and want to know if this might be the place to do it? Does anyone know how businesses are doing in Gatlinburg?

BST · 01-15-2009, 09:34 AM

This year has been a bit tough on Sevier County. Dollywood announced it's trimming its calendar for 2009 to save operational costs...but that still only amounts to 10 less days or so. The new Belle Island resort is behind schedule and delaying its grand opening to coincide with the peak tourism dates. I presume to eliminate running only half-full in the spring. Heads-in-beds are down...but Gatlinburg still draws a crowd. I think you get more locals taking day trips to shop, etc when gas prices skyrocket. It's a quick and fairly cheap getaway for a lot of people in East Tennessee.

Try posing the same question to the Gatlinburg Tourism Department or Sevier County Chamber of Commerce.

mbmouse · 01-15-2009, 10:43 AM

I guess to answer this properly we would need to know what type of busines you are looking to open? If you are looking to open a restaurant or T's shirt shop, than Gatlinburg would be a good place and you don't see a lot of turn over in those buildings down there. However if you are wanting to open a computer repair shop or some other specialty shops, that may not be a good area.
Just my 2 cents.

TNTransplant06 · 01-16-2009, 09:22 AM

mbmouse is incorrect. We have a business in G-burg and you DO NOT want to open a store that is already here. There are too many t-shirt shops and restaurants. The key to success is having something that is not already here. It may look like the t-shirts shops don't have high turnover, but they do....they sell the business to somebody else and keep the name. Be prepared to have a business boom May-October and save as much as you can and you can weather the winter months. You just need to be unique.

Nashville Cat · 01-16-2009, 09:54 AM

mbmouse is incorrect. We have a business in G-burg and you DO NOT want to open a store that is already here. There are too many t-shirt shops and restaurants. The key to success is having something that is not already here. It may look like the t-shirts shops don't have high turnover, but they do....they sell the business to somebody else and keep the name. Be prepared to have a business boom May-October and save as much as you can and you can weather the winter months. You just need to be unique.

As you have a business in Gatlinburg, how have sales been this year? Is there a small drop or a big decline compared to the previous seasonal sales?

TNTransplant06 · 01-16-2009, 10:07 AM

Everybody is reporting different numbers. In general, they are down. But, down does not necessarily mean a bad thing. Our store is not. Other speciality stores I've spoken with are saying the same. It's the t-shirt stores, restaurants, airgun shops, etc that have not done so well.

Nashville Cat · 01-16-2009, 10:16 AM

TNTransplant06,
Thank you for sharing. I appeciate it. I've noticed a lot of new rental space available, do you know what a fair rate range might be on downtown street?

TNTransplant06 · 01-16-2009, 10:34 AM

On the parkway, of course, will be fairly higher than tucked away in the little shops in the shopping centers. I do not know the numbers. Just give them a call and see what they say.

mbmouse · 01-17-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNTransplant06

mbmouse is incorrect. We have a business in G-burg and you DO NOT want to open a store that is already here. There are too many t-shirt shops and restaurants. The key to success is having something that is not already here. It may look like the t-shirts shops don't have high turnover, but they do....they sell the business to somebody else and keep the name. Be prepared to have a business boom May-October and save as much as you can and you can weather the winter months. You just need to be unique.

Oops, sorry, I stand corrected.

I just know I see the same stores that seem to carry the same thing that are always busy (when we are there anyway) at the cash register. I had no idea there was a turn over in ownership but name, product and look of the store always stays the same. Thanks for filling in the blanks as to why we see that.

Lookingforafarm · 04-14-2009, 07:31 PM

We are looking at relocating to the Gatlinburg area as my wife has a job offer there, I have an organic dairy farm and would want to buy farm land within 1/2 hour or so of town. Can anyone tell me if this is possible at all? What areas would be best to look in? Any ideas on prices or resources? We are grass based and sell dairy, cheese, meat, pork, and produce - is there much market in Gatlinburg for this? thanks