Friday will be a sad day for David Copeland, Bill Hullander and other regulars at The Kreme House in Ooltewah.
After 32 years in business, the popular home-style restaurant at 9220 Lee Highway is closing its doors.
Marlene Green Geren, daughter of founders David and Imogene Green, said the property has been sold to Southeast Bank and Trust.
She noted that her mother died last year and her father is ready to retire at age 79. Her sister, Maria Green Rogers, is retiring as well - to Whitwell.
She also said the offer from the bank was "a great opportunity for our family."
Ms. Geren said she and her husband, Ponder Geren, will continue to operate the Countryside Cafe at 8223 Mahan Gap Road - offering many of the same Kreme House specialties. That restaurant opened in 1990.
"It's only seven miles away," she said.
But that is little consolation for former state Rep. Copeland, who is a daily diner at the Kreme House, and County Commission Chairman Hullander, who has been coming for many years.
There are pictures on the walls of local and national celebrities who have stopped off at the Kreme House.
Ms. Geren said the Gatlin Brothers have been longtime regulars. She said, "They like it because they wear jeans and nobody knows who they are. When the place is full, they wait in line along with everybody else."
She said the Kreme House offers "a meat and 3" as well as delicious desserts. It was first known for its ice cream, including the popular milk shakes.
Ms. Geren said, "A lot of our customers grew up here and I know they are really going to miss it."
She said it will be Mr. Copeland "who misses us the most."
Final days for the Kreme House
- Photo2 by Wes Schultz