Business is booming

In with the new

Part Two in a weekly series on the growth of Seymour and how it affects the community as a whole. This week’s installment focuses on the increasing development of businesses in the area and how it has affected already existing businesses.

How many times have you been down Chapman Highway and seen a new business that popped up out of nowhere?
The arrival of new people in the area has provided a chance for businesses to take advantage of a large amount of potential customers.
Seymour and the surrounding area are continually growing into a strong business sector. There are any number of fast food places, grocery stores, gas stations and anything else that can easily bring money into the area.
Several of these operations are on Chapman Highway, but that only consists of part of the growth. There are several locations just off of the main drag, which some may call the next oasis for big business. But, the greater number of shops and markets are along the automobile-lined highway that stretches from Knoxville to Sevierville. The highway is a connection between two large cities, and what lies in between is a gold mine of opportunity for the business savvy. It just so happens that what lies between is the unincorporated town of Seymour.
Which brings up a good question. Will the people coming into town bring the businesses, or will the businesses bring the people into town?
In much respects the answer is “both.” There have already been stores in the area that local residents know all too well, but with the bigger chain stores coming in, different options are made available.
Food City is expanding to satisfy the local demand. The new store, which is currently under construction, will be located close to the intersection of Chapman Highway and 411. Will the newer, bigger stores drive out the original Seymour business owners? Some wonder if the chain stores will bring healthy competition or simply take away from the small town atmosphere of Seymour.
Bobby White has been the owner of Round-up Truck Sales for two and a half years and owned White’s Hardware for 20 years. He doesn’t see any problem with more business coming into the area and believes that with more business comes more customers for everyone.
White also believes that competition between the bigger stores and smaller stores isn’t something to worry about. “I think people should be interested in their own business; once they start worrying about others, then things don’t go so well,” he said.
“I think it’s great,” said White. He has no problem gaining more customers. “I can always use more customers.” “Seymour is definitely becoming one of the biggest growing areas in the country,” said White.
While there are several different businesses bringing in money in the area, it is difficult to get an exact number of them in the community. The local Chamber of Commerce certainly agreed that there are a numerous amount of businesses but was unable to give a specific figure.