Seymour needs more to see

editor@seymourherald.com Last week I talked about Seymour being an epicenter for several counties. As that epicenter, isn’t it time we provide ourselves and our neighbors, with a reason to - not just pass through our community - but stay and take a load off? I am talking about getting some real franchise food places. Applebees, Friday’s, Cracker Barrel, Ruby Tuesdays, and even O’Charley’s would be successful here. Think of all the people we lose by not providing these types of eateries? Think of what we could gain if we did have them. As a community it would open up more job opportunities. After all, restaurants need staff and with over 30,000 people living in Seymour they would have no problem finding it. Parents, think of your children. Wouldn’t it be nice if your son or daughter would be able to work in this area instead of braving Chapman Hwy. to get into Pigeon Forge or Knoxville? Bringing in franchised eateries also shows that Seymour is willing to grow and accommodate its’ residents. Thus, sending out a message that we are growing, we are open to it and that appeals to other businesses. Walgreen’s is a prime example of a company that was impressed with our growth potential. It saw a business park being built on Maryville Hwy, it saw a heavy traffic flow and it saw growth potential. Now, they are building here which in turn will create more jobs. Why should anyone living in Seymour have to drive 45 minutes to an hour just to eat at someplace like Ruby Tuesdays, or Red Lobster when we could have one? Developer Barry Shular for one and Seymour Business Park President Joe Karl are working hard at bringing this type of food fare to our area, and certainly Maryville Hwy. is an ideal locale. The 411 Highway is anything but off the beaten path, with steady traffic flow all day long, and the Seymour Business Park would be ideal for some of these types of restaurants. The Park is planning on adding a food court in the near future, which would offer an array of food selections. We need them here. Seymour is growing and wouldn’t it be nice not to have to drag your family, whose visiting from Oregon, an hour away for a nice dinner? Seymour could certainly handle the business - after all, we are an epicenter. Franchising in more sit-down eateries is a win-win situation no matter how you look at it. The few sit-downs that are here wouldn’t be harmed because there is enough growth potential, room and population to make this happen.