Ooltewah, TN — Despite facing significant setbacks, the owners of Wine Down Bistro are reaffirming their commitment to the restaurant and its future at Cambridge Square, a popular mixed-use development in Ooltewah. Georgia and Marcus Garner, who opened the business in 2015, said that while the restaurant faced some difficult times recently, they have managed to overcome these challenges with the help of the local community, the development’s support, and their own determination.
“We just hit a bump in the road,” Georgia Garner explained. “Maybe a hill or larger than a bump, but we were able, thankfully, with the support of our community and Cambridge Square and lots and lots of prayers to work through it and come out much better on the other side.”
While the Garners hinted at the possibility of some cosmetic updates to the business, they made it clear that they have no plans to leave Cambridge Square, a hub for local dining and retail businesses. “Same feel, same service people have always gotten,” Marcus Garner said. “We’re just elevating our position in the community, and we’re looking to stand out and still be all our regulars’ place to come.”
Wine Down Bistro has undergone notable growth since its opening. Initially launched with just a handful of employees, the restaurant expanded its footprint in 2020 by taking over the space next door. Specializing in modern American cuisine with a focus on reimagined Southern classics, Wine Down offers an upscale yet casual dining experience. The Garners also operate a neighboring concept, Neighbor, which focuses on breakfast and lunch offerings.
Although some staff members have moved on, the Garners are keeping many of their longtime employees. “We do have new faces coming in,” Marcus Garner said. “We have a lot of the old faces who are still here, and some people have gone on to other things as well. It’s a time where people have to do what’s best for them. We support them.”
Looking ahead, the Garners expressed their deep commitment to the future of their businesses. “We weren’t trying to put a Band-Aid on a volcano,” Marcus Garner said, emphasizing the difficulty of their recent challenges. “The only way we were going to come out of this is if we had a lot of prayers answered and miracles happened, and they did. These miracles have fortified us and given us a sense of security and comfort that this won’t happen again.”
As the business moves forward, the Garners remain optimistic, hopeful that their dedication and the continued support from the community will ensure the success of both Wine Down Bistro and Neighbor.
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