Big names flock to East Hamilton

First there was Ruth's Chris.

Then there was Einstein Bros. Bagels.

And now Cheddar's is coming just off Gunbarrel Road at Hamilton Village near Walmart.

While it may seem counterintuitive, retail and restaurant giants in the area like CBL welcome the new restaurant chains to the community rather than view them as competition.

"Anything that impacts the retail environment in this area is a positive," said CBL Group Marketing Director Catharine Wells. "It's a good thing."

Even though CBL doesn't have any new announcements at this time, that doesn't mean there isn't more in the works for the area, Wells said.

"Our leasing folks are always hard at work," she said. "We're always working on bringing development and new-to-the-market retailers and restaurants in. We don't have anything to release at this time, but hopefully soon."

Locally owned businesses are also working to get a piece of the pie when it comes to the concentrated market in and around Hamilton Place. Longtime downtown Chattanooga retailer Kennedy Jewelers recently announced that after 37 years it will move its Main Street location to the newly developed Pavilion on Panorama, just off East Brainerd Road.

"There's just a lot more traffic out there," said spokesperson Jeremy Kennedy, explaining that the retailer hopes to market higher-end merchandise and an expanded inventory. "We'll have a much bigger showroom and are adding nine additional showcases."

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