Loudon's Carmichael Inn reopens, serving up more than history

The Carmichael Inn, nestled between the river bank and the heart of downtown Loudon, is certainly an eye catcher.

[CountryGal]

Welcome Lord Lindsey from LC to Loudon. You're food is wonderful. I've not found one yet that I don't like. Hope you stay around! I enjoy having different places to eat in this little town that's not fast food.

[sarah may]

wow amazing food amazing place

[JJm]

The food is great. A little pricey though. Very comfortable atmosphere.

[hjhj2]

How do you like it now?

[timmy]

aint nutin like j's place

[SoSad]

It's a crying shame that they're already having to close. The moron that owns the Inn upped the rent to over $5000.00 per month. They couldn't afford to pay the costs of labor , food, equipment, electric and other day to day operations. I hope that they find somewhere else to open their doors. Just another example of what greed is doing to our society.

[hjhj2]

Did they know what the rent was when they opened? Did the business plan show projected sales and expenses? DON'T BLAME ALL OF IT ON THE LANDLORD!!

[Would not eat in Loudon]

hjhj2 wrote:

Did they know what the rent was when they opened? Did the business plan show projected sales and expenses? DON'T BLAME ALL OF IT ON THE LANDLORD!!

I would say that they knew what the rent was going to be. That should have been in a contract or something. And yes, anyone who owns a business can figure in basic expenses (labor, etc.). As for projected sales, no one would know for sure starting out. He wasn't there long enough to get a read on how his business would do in that location. So, yes, I would blame a good 90% on the landlord. The other 10% would be for someone to open a restaurant in Loudon anyway, they would have to be crazy. Unless it is simple cooking, i.e. Mark's Diner, Mexican, or fast food, it ain't gonna fly too well in that backwater city.

[LULU]

hjhj2 wrote:

Did they know what the rent was when they opened? Did the business plan show projected sales and expenses? DON'T BLAME ALL OF IT ON THE LANDLORD!!

When they opened the rent was $3500 a month. After they began building clientel-Rick Dover got greedy & increased it by $1500 a month. Who else can be blamed??? Another business with good intent that folded because of greed. No way to survive at that...Seems he couldn't take being run in the ground himself when he backed the previous proprietor & didn't know for a good while that she was stealing from him & lying to vendors!! Stupid to try to recoup losses all at once.

[hjhj2]

Were they even in business for a full month?

[CountryGal]

I was told they were simply remodeling. Hmm. That's terrible if they had to close due to higher rent. Yes, they were in business over a month (since the middle of August). I did note they kept changing their menu to less expense to them yet kept the price the same (ie swithing cheese types). By the way, we "backwater folks" do like variety in our restaurants.

[informed]

already closing?

[informed]

Mr. Dover did not back the previous owner he actually treated her the same way. He lied about the rent, how much the restaurant made while he ran it and then kept a hefty security deposit. And just for the record, he only raised the rent for LL $500, not $3,500. It was in Sunday's paper.

[Interested]

Which paper was this in? Interested in reading the article. Thanks

informed wrote:

Mr. Dover did not back the previous owner he actually treated her the same way. He lied about the rent, how much the restaurant made while he ran it and then kept a hefty security deposit. And just for the record, he only raised the rent for LL $500, not $3,500. It was in Sunday's paper.

[CountryGal]

informed wrote:

Mr. Dover did not back the previous owner he actually treated her the same way. He lied about the rent, how much the restaurant made while he ran it and then kept a hefty security deposit. And just for the record, he only raised the rent for LL $500, not $3,500. It was in Sunday's paper.

I was never able to find this in the paper either.

[informed]

It was not an article. It was posted in the classified ads. You can search the archives, or better yet, call Mr. Dover. From what I understand, it is STILL for rent and his number is posted on the flyer. I think it was posted on Sunday, Nov 1 or the Sunday before - Knoxville News Sentinel. Two different owners in less than a year... all I can say is RENTER BEWARE. Such a beautiful town and wonderful people living there. It is a shame. I ate there while it was under both owners, and they both could have been successful.

[Reno Hightower]

Why does Loudon County keep selling this man our history? He owns The Carmichael Inn, The old Loudon Hospital, The old Lenoir City Highschool, and the oldest structure in the Lenoir City located at the end of Bussel Ferry Road as you turn toward the boat ramp. I know people that worked for him at the old hospital, it's an assisted living center now, and the food he serves the residents is pure slop. He claims to have become interested in owning assisted living centers after taking care of his ailing father. I hope he fed his father better than he does his residents. I've had better meals at the flea market than they serve at his centers. He has money to burn evidently. If you turn right at The Carmichael and go back toward the old hospital, all those townhomes along the river are his also, yet if you go up to the center at mealtime, you'll see old people people eating chicken patties and tater tots. He's not a nice guy. He looks like Jerry Seinfeld and dresses like Dave Letterman, but he's about as funny as an active case of the clap.

[hjhj2]

Because he is the only person that stepped up, bought the properties, and made the necessary investment to improve the properties! This is capitalism and the free market at work! Who else was willing to make the investment in time and money to improve all of these properties. I await your answer! I get tired of all of the whining about the outsiders, where are the insiders???

[fufu2]

Answer me this, is he friends with Tony aikens?

[informed]

Hjhj2, you are absolutely right. But, at what cost? Put a pretty coat of paint on something and it LOOKS like an investment. And Reno, it is very easy to "burn" money when the company belongs to your family.