In a move indicative of shifting commercial tides in East Tennessee, Ham'N Goodys, an established bakery and café renowned for their signature lemon cookies, has publicly announced the imminent closure of two of its locations. The two stores set for shutdown are located at 5541 Clinton Highway and the Sevierville store at 739 Dolly Parton Parkway, with their operations ceasing by the end of June 2024, as reported by WATE on June 18.
These closures represent a significant retrenchment for the local business which established its initial presence in Knox County in 1978, however, even as these doors close, the original Northshore Drive location, alongside those at Cedar Bluff Road and Gay Street, will maintain operations, a decision that underscores the selective pressures current market conditions are exerting on the company’s various outlets, while also maintaining a avenue for the beloved cookie truck which shall continue its rounds throughout the region as mentioned in a social media update and further detailed by a WVLT report.
The Sevierville store notably marked the brand’s first expansion beyond its Knox County origins when it opened in January 2023, followed by the Clinton Highway store in April of the same year, illustrating a brief yet ultimately unsustainable growth outside its established base, this despite the brand having cemented its place in Knoxville's local culinary scene for decades.
The announcement carried a note of gratitude towards customers and staff: "Sadly we are closing our Clinton Highway and Sevierville locations at the end of this month due to lack of business, thank you to our dear customers and teammates in both of those communities!!" as described on the company's social media channels and echoed in a report by WBIR; despite these closures, loyal patrons across East Tennessee can take solace that the remaining outlets and the cookie truck will continue to serve the delectable treats that Ham'N Goodys has made a staple of the local community.
