Oak Ridge Today

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse could open in January

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Fuji Japanese Steakhouse

The Fuji Japanese Steakhouse could open in January at the former Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, pictured above.

 

A new Japanese steakhouse could open at the former Mr. Gatti’s Pizza in central Oak Ridge by early January, a development company said Monday.

The new restaurant will be named Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, and it will serve Hibachi-style cuisine and freshly made sushi, Cappiello Real Estate and Development Company said in a press release.

The 3,600-square-foot building on Wilson Street is being converted into a Japanese steakhouse with Asian décor, and the former kitchen space is being renovated.

It’s a new undertaking by restaurateur Chris Li of Cookeville, who currently operates a quick service and take-out restaurant in Cookeville near Tennessee Tech, Cappiello Real Estate said. [Read more…]

After four years, Lincoln’s closes, cites economic conditions

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Lincoln's Sports Grille

After more than four years, Lincoln’s Sports Grille on South Illinois Avenue has shut down, citing economic conditions.

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:30 a.m. Oct. 22.

Lincoln’s Sports Grille has shut down, citing economic conditions. The closure was announced in a sign posted on a front door of the four-year-old restaurant and bar on Monday and in a press release on Tuesday.

The popular restaurant and bar on South Illinois Avenue had had a series of five sometimes-contentious show cause hearings before the Oak Ridge Beer Permit Board. In the last show cause hearing on August 28, members revoked Lincoln’s permit.

Lincoln’s regained the permit after a temporary agreement imposing new conditions was worked out with the city and Beer Board and approved by Anderson County Chancellor Nicki Cantrell, pending an appeal of the Beer Board’s revocation.

But in an interview earlier this month, Scott Green, one of Lincoln’s owners, said the inability to sell beer between late August and early October had a substantial impact on the business. The restaurant and its staff had also been hurt by the bad publicity, Green said.

“It’s been a significant hit on us,” he said. [Read more…]

County Commission to consider OR mall TIF, District 4 appointment

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Oak Ridge Village Area Rendering

 

The Anderson County Commission will consider extending the tax increment financing agreement for the former Oak Ridge Mall from 20 years to 30 on Monday morning.

The Anderson County Operations Committee recommended approving the 10-year TIF extension during a meeting last week. The TIF would use new property tax revenues generated at the mall site and 120 surrounding acres included in the TIF area to help pay for the redevelopment. [Read more…]

CORRE has annual membership meeting on Monday

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CORRE Logo

The Coalition of Oak Ridge Retirees will have its annual meeting at 2 p.m. Monday, October 20, at the Heritage Fellowship Church in Oak Ridge.

CORRE is an organization of retirees that works to improve the welfare of more than 12,000 former employees and surviving spouses of the various managing contractors of U.S. Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge. All retirees, their spouses, and surviving spouses are urged to attend and are encouraged to bring other retirees, a press release said.

CORRE expects about 200-250 retirees and spouses to attend, and invitations have been extended to members of the East Tennessee congressional delegation. [Read more…]

Developer: Donut Palace to be built where Price Florist was

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Donut Palace Site Prep

A Donut Palace will be built where Price Florist used to be, and redevelopment work is starting, an Oak Ridge company said Thursday.

 

A Donut Palace will be built where Price Florist used to be, a development company said Thursday.

Redevelopment work is starting, and The Donut Palace of Oak Ridge could open in the first quarter of 2015, said Cappiello Real Estate and Development Company.

The company said The Donut Palace is a regional chain that is primarily located in Texas and the Midwest.

“The Donut Palace is an artisan bakery featuring handmade apple fritters, muffins, cookies, brownies, pastries, and of course, doughnuts,” Cappiello Real Estate and Development Company said. “Each pastry is prepared daily and made fresh for the customers. Along with the baked goods, they will offer coffee, drinks, and artisan sandwiches.” [Read more…]

Sponsored: Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores seeks Oak Ridge area entrepreneur

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Sears Hometown Store Seeks Oak Ridge Entrepreneur

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. is providing Oak Ridge area investors the opportunity to own and operate their own Sears Hometown Store.

“We’re looking for a highly motivated member of the Oak Ridge community who wants to operate a successful business and is customer-service oriented,” said Mike Jones, regional development manager for Sears Hometown Stores. “This is an outstanding opportunity for a dedicated individual to participate in the growth of one of America’s hottest retailers.”

Sears Hometown Stores typically occupy between 7,500 and 9,000 square feet of space and offer a wide-selection of top appliance brands such as Kenmore®, Maytag®, KitchenAid®, Whirlpool®, Bosch®, Frigidaire®, and GE®, plus a large assortment of lawn and garden equipment, Craftsman® tools, fitness equipment, and mattresses, at guaranteed lowest prices, by the company’s price match policy.

Through in-store kiosks, Sears Hometown Stores are able to offer the local community the full breadth of selection available on Sears.com. Local repair service is offered as well as product protection agreements and the promise of “Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back.” [Read more…]

Sponsored: Karen’s Jewelers hosts estate jewelry show Friday, Saturday

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Greta Garbo Earrings

Estate jewelry, including Greta Garbo’s earrings, will be on display at Karen’s Jewelers October 17 and 18.

Elvis Presley’s initial cufflinks and a pair of Greta Garbo earrings will be among estate, vintage, and celebrity-owned jewelry on display at Karen’s Jewelers on Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18.

The Estate Jewelry Show and Sale will be from 3-7:30 p.m. Friday, October 17, and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, October 18, at Karen’s Jewelers, 1120 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Among jewelry will be a ballerina pin presented to the actress Betty Hutton in 1949 by the cast of her movie, “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Her director, Cecil B. DeMille, demanded that his actors and actresses learn their own circus acts for the movie, so Hutton practiced for a year to perfect the trapeze stunts for the movie. The pin is inscribed “From Your Crew 1949.”

Elvis’s road manager signed a letter verifying that the gold-filled cufflinks with the “E” initial once belonged to the rock ‘n’ roll singer. [Read more…]

Anderson committee to consider tax agreement for OR mall redevelopment

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Oak Ridge Village Area Rendering

 

It’s already been approved by the Oak Ridge City Council, and a 10-year extension of the $13 million tax agreement that could be used to help redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall will next be considered by Anderson County officials.

The agreement will be considered by the Anderson County Operations Committee on Monday evening. It could then be considered by the full Anderson County Commission later this month.

Like Oak Ridge officials, Anderson County officials will consider extending the tax agreement for the 59-acre project by 10 years—from 20 years to 30.

Officials have described the proposed redevelopment, named Main Street Oak Ridge, as an $80 million project that could fill a “hole in the heart” of Oak Ridge, bring new retail life to the city’s downtown, and build a lasting legacy. [Read more…]

Sponsored: Peters Jewelers has open house, anniversary party

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Peters Jewelers Open House and Anniversary Party Oak Ridge, TN

Peters Jewelers in Oak Ridge has an open house and 20th anniversary party on Friday, October 10.

The store has a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan at 11:30 a.m. Friday. And there is a champagne reception at 6 p.m. Register to win a pair of diamond earrings valued at $1,500 at the party.

Peters Jewelers is at 1159 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Call (865) 483-9074 for more information.

Lincoln’s able to sell beer again while appeal pending

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Lincoln's Sports Grille

Lincoln’s Sports Grille on South Illinois Avenue is pictured above on Monday evening.

 

They weren’t able to sell beer for more than a month, but an agreement reached with a city board in September, modified on Thursday, and approved by a judge on Friday allows Lincoln’s Sports Grille to resume selling the alcoholic beverage for now.

The Oak Ridge Beer Permit Board revoked Lincoln’s beer permit on August 28. The revocation went into effect immediately.

But Lincoln’s has appealed that decision and had asked that the revocation be put on hold while the legal case is pending. On September 16, the Beer Board agreed in a 5-2 vote.

The board’s agreement was initially conditioned upon a list of 13 items. One of the conditions, which would have required an owner to be present at all times, has since been removed. (The board approved the removal in a 4-0 vote on Thursday after a pair of split 2-2 votes.) [Read more…]

Customer Service Workshop at Oak Ridge Chamber on Thursday

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Customer service expert Bill Drury will present a workshop on customer service on Thursday, October 9, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

The workshop is titled “A Passion for Service” and will discuss how to win customers and reduce lost sales. It’s scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Chamber.

From 1985 until 1990, Drury was the national training consultant for the Zig Ziglar Corporation. He speaks, trains, and travels extensively, and has proven to be one of the most effective and entertaining speakers in the industry, a Chamber of Commerce press release said. [Read more…]

Seminar: An overview of franchising opportunities

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A free seminar at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday will provide an overview of franchising opportunities, a press release said.

The free seminar is at the Chamber from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 8.

It could help participants decide between investing in a business instead of returning to the corporate world.

“This free educational seminar will help you decide whether business ownership is a path you wish to pursue,” the release said. “Join us to learn the true facts about franchising and bust the myths!” [Read more…]