WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsEntrepreneurship Holding Steady in Hamilton County Despite Economy
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CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) - A lagging economy hasn't stopped entrepreneurs in Hamilton County. The count clerk's office says applications for business licenses are almost exactly where they were a year ago, down just one application.
"I have been in the bar business long enough to know it stays the same no matter where the economy is," says Chip McKeldin. McKeldin is the owner of the soon-to-be open Deluxe Grill & Tap, a downtown restaurant.
McKeldin says the current state of the economy provided him the opportunity to purchase his building. "The cost of real estate has gone down tremendously. When I first started looking this building was $16 to $18 a square foot to lease. We got in for way under that to purchase," he says.
Aaron Cabeen is another new business owner. "People have the same spirit I do. The entrepreneurial spirit. Ready to take advantage of a situation and make lemonade out of lemons," Cabeen says, owner of Cabeen Originals, Custom Carpentry.
Cabeen has made lemonade to say the least; his custom woodwork will be proudly displayed inside Deluxe Grill & Tap when it opens. His custom tables are already in use at The Terminal, another new Chattanooga Eatery.
These business owner say its about following your heart when opening a new business. "I am optimistic; I know things will bounce back," says Cabeen.
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