Portland, Tennessee Blog

Oh, talking about businesses in town.....I just "discovered" Taylor and Sons this week !
I needed some holes filled up in the yard...and was able to get a load of dirt there very reasonably !! That was neat. I went over to Tommy's - I thought all that stuff piled up was dirt, but it was mulch...and they told me about Taylor and Sons !

I went to the new Quilters' Shop.....I've never made a quilt, but the shop is beautiful, with a great selection of fabric, etc.
I understand they are going to have some lessons...even for a beginner like me ! I'd like to make a small wall hanging ..they even have a pattern that you can make a quilt with each square to represent family members ! That one was sooo neat. I hope they do well here -- it's great to have a specialty store like this in town.

Someone asked about the new quilt shop in Portland. It just opened it's doors last week. I think the grand opening is set for January. Anyway, as I walked in I couldn't believe how nice it was. There is a wonderful selection of material and everything needed for guilting and more. I understand the owner has an artist talent in quilting and will offer lessons soon. This shop by the way is called "Quilters Juction". This is a great shop for Portland. I highly recommend it.

I think it makes it more interesting! I enjoy everyones point of view.Is that not part of life we all jump to other things.I say let whatever evolves

No problem DA, You will find a NEW Category on the main page "Our Youth - Our Young Adults" and a new posting on the main page, best of luck & happy posting.

Judy

Judy,
You're right. I apologize. The whole topic just evolved from where to eat to what there is to do in Portland. Maybe those who monitor this blog could start new topics that are being brought up in these discussions.

I don’t know what the last 7,8 or more posts here have to do with this topic, I hate it that people can’t visit the Portland blog and read posts related to topics they may have an interest in without having to skim thru so much that is not.

I’m not saying “Don’t Post” as this is what the Blog is all about and what keeps it going. If we could however keep our posts in alignment with the topic that would be great!!! And I’m sure it would be appreciated by many.

Judy

So Mike you watch Desperate Housewives? You seem to know alot about it! Mr Straight Lace....

Mike,
I find it extremely amusing that the name of the church you pastor is LIBERTY FREE WILL, yet the only doctrine that seems to come from it is to control and order the lives of everyone in this town, whether they believe the way that church does or not. I'm curious to know where Free Will and Liberty enter into this attitude.

Yes, the parents are ultimately responsible for their kids. I don't think people are looking for a babysitter for their teens, but they do want options. Undoubtably, there are those with horrible parenting skills; but you have to admit that there are no perfect parents in any generation. I think it's wrong to sidestep the issue of providing options for entertainment to our young people by saying that it is the parents' fault. It's exactly this kind of "passing the buck" that keeps Portland stuck in the past.

When I was growing up, I knew that I was a child. I knew that my parents were the major authority in my life. I knew that because they were grown up and I wasn't, they could do things that I wasn't allowed to do. They could choose whether or not to smoke, drink beer, and use foul language. I never felt that those things were an option for me. I wasn't allowed to do those things. Period. When I was grown up, I could decide for myself. If you treat adults like children, and make those choices for them, there is a tremendous lack of "free will". I want the "City Fathers" to treat me like a grown up and stop making choices for me.

As for the teens, I hurt for them. There are so many people here, including them, who feel hopeless. What jobs, what future is there for them? Why try to do well in school, if your major career choice is to work at a fast food restaurant or in a warehouse/factory?

Well I guess i am one of the "straight-laced righteous people" (only because of Jesus I might add), but I have spent weekends at the village square and I have talked to the teens. Also I teach the teens at Liberty FWB in town. I have a good understanding of their wants and desires and what they face daily and I agree they need an outlet for their energy; but to simply think a place to go or an activity will promote good decision making and less "trouble" is false.
The youth today, more than ever, want to know people are real and that they really care.
Unless the parents take an active role in the lives of these young people then these "activities" become pacifiers or glorified babysitters.
Teens can spot hypocrisy a mile off. We tell them not to smoke, but we smoke a pack a day; we tell them not to drink, but we have a beer while watching the game; we tell them to drive safely, but we speed because we are late; we warn them about the dangers sexually transmitted diseases, but we let them feed on R-rated movies shows like "desperate housewives " that glorify sex with no consequences.
Our youth are trying to find their way and their identity and too often we send them mixed messages.
There seems to be a lot of negativity against church and God on these posts and I understand many have been hurt in the past, but the hurt was not from God, but by people. The church is made up of people so that means the church is not perfect, but the one I follow is.
Teens seek close caring relationships and they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
This is a fast paced society geared to instant gratification and it is up to us to bring balance and direction.
I am glad many of you are concerned, because their very lives are at stake.

Denise--
Let me shake your cyber-hand! You Go, Girlfriend!
Teens are a wonderful group of people who just need guidance. If they are treated like problems, they will believe they are problems.
Maybe some of the straight-laced righteous people of this town should spend a few weekend evenings at the "Village Square" (the parking lot by Sonic and HG Hill) and get to know the young people out there, maybe providing them with some means of entertaining themselves besides drinking, doing drugs and getting in the back seat of those evil cars.
When people of ANY age are treated with respect they tend to show respect in return, and there is much less likelihood that they will choose to do things that are destructive (either to themselves or to society).

Wow, guess I should have read that whole posting from TD before I got on my rant about alcohol being evil. Now I have to rant about the curfew idea.

I guess it never occured to TD that most people work during the day and do not get home till 5 or 6 pm and the only time they can get anything done is in the evenings. AND, trouble would get off the streets if it (I am assuming trouble means young people) had someplace to go, like the video gaming room that Studio 16a tried to have for the teens of Portland.

I do not understand the mentality that says ALL teens are trouble-makers (I guess the same mentality that automatically assumes all video games are evil, etc.). A few kids are troublemakers, but most are just stuck in between childhood and adulthood and are trying to figure out who they are. Yes, teens make bad choices and mistakes - that is how anyone learns, but most of them are not bad. You know the old saying that you get what you expect? Well, if you expect teens to be trouble and don't give them any positive outlets for their energy and curiosity, then, yes, they will be trouble. Most kids are not natural atheletes and more structured extracurricular activities need to be offered to these kids, not just the jocks.

OK, rant over...for now!!!

Alcohol is evil??? Wow, what was Jesus thinking, turning that water into wine? And then, he goes and uses wine, an alcoholic beverage, as a symbol of his blood at the Last Supper!!!

A thing by itself is not evil. The evil comes if it is used for evil purposes and that is why God has given us free will. To make our own choices about whether we willuse the substance for good or "evil."

Saddam Hussein is evil, Hitler was evil, people who get behind the wheel after they have been drinking, with no concern about the safety of others, well I feel that's a sort of evil, too. BUT, the mere consumption of an alcoholic beverage is not evil unless the consumer chooses to abuse alcohol and place it above everything - God, job, family, safety, health, etc. But the choice and the acts are not the failures of the alcohol, but the weakness of the person. If you are an alcoholic or have a friend or family member who abuses alcohol, alcohol is not to blame. It is the person who choses to drink it, after all.

TD
Good Grief! What century do you live in? People are different than they were in 1950; society is different; we can't go back. I tried to go back in my hometown about 15 years ago, and I found out that they had moved on without me.
The Portland you knew growing up has changed, and will never be a reality again. It seems like a romantic pipe dream to go back in time and live like they did in another era. The realities are without exception much harsher than the memories of them.
Unfortunately, many people in Portland long for the "good old days" just like you do. It is keeping us from moving on into the future. I agree that many things in today's world are moving too much too fast, but as a small town, we must take some baby steps, at least.

Alcohol is evil.

It's okay with me if all we ever have is a few burger places. I don't want to eat where barflies swarm.

At least I don't have to worry about my own safety, or my children's.

I would also love it if we had a curfew at 7 or 8 p.m. Get trouble off the streets. People should be home eating a good meal, and not out all night.

I do not want ANY alcohol sold on Sundays at all.

why dont you people be quite about portland i like things just as they are i have lived here
28 yrs and this is home to me sure i go to franklin to shop ; tn taxes are way too high
but we dont need liquor by the drink to survive shame on you who think we do we have gotten along with out it so far leave well enough alone

MoMo's should not come to Portland.

Why should they if Portland is already driving to White House? Their White House location would lose sales, and Portland will not continue to go to the Portland location after 90 days unless they serve fast food. Portland will still drive out of town to eat.

I ate at MoMo's the other day and it was well worth it. The food was great(mozzarella sticks are awesome). The service was good and the atmosphere was pleasing. I would suggest anyone else who again, go try it out. Maybe we can get the owner to try in Portland. Oh wait, the place wont last bc there is no smoking and the people wont be interested.

As I understand it, Walmart DID approach Portland years ago before going to Franklin, and the opportunity to put it in Portland was thwarted. At least that is the story that is passed around in discussions I have heard for years. If that is true, why get upset at Walmart?

We've been to Corner Cafe in Westmoreland and it is always packed! And many of the people in the restaurant are from Portland! I've always wondered why a small town like Westmoreland can support at least two small family-type restaurants, when Portland can't even keep one going for more than a year at a time?
My biggest objection to Corner Cafe, and for that matter, to the Panther Den, is that it is impossible to breathe inside if you don't smoke. There is a token No-Smoking area in the back of the Panther Den, but you have to walk through the Smoking area to get there, and the smoke is just as heavy in the back as it is in the front. Why can't restaurants that allow smoking be obligated to ventilate the smoke out of the building, rather than let it build up for years and years? YUCK!

White House is getting a Wal-Mart and I'm sure the interstate interchange has a little something to do with it, but there are other factors to consider. After all, Lafayette has a Wal-Mart about the size of the one in Franklin, KY, but no interchange that I can recall. But, like White House, it is a central location to a lot of other small communities and, theoretically, would draw shoppers from those additional communities. I do not see Wal-Mart coming to Portland any time soon because we are too close to the Wal-Mart in Franklin, KY where there is no sales tax on food and only 6% sales tax on other items. A lot of people who are struggling to make ends meet, will always chose to spend their major dollars where the cost seems to be less. I think one of the only occaisions when this would not be the case is when gas prices get really high - then folks will stay closer to home.

Since this was a message talking about new places to Dine. I thought I would take it another notch. If you are looking for killer Catfish I suggest trying Cathy's Country Cupboard and/or Corner Cafe in Westmoreland! Great Breakfast can be found in Portland. Bottomview, Johnson's Crossroads, Panther Den, 5 Chefs, and Main Street Cafe. A little something for everyone. If you are in a hurry and want a good meat and three I suggest Jims BarBQue out by the drive in. Great Food, and you can get in and out in minutes!

I went for lunch at MoMos last week. I am pretty particular and keep and really scope places out while eating their for the first time. I must say I will make a return trip to MoMo's with my family in the near future. The service was outstanding, which I expected because it seemed like every table had a server of its own! A lot of friendly faces walking around. The manager stopped by the table and made sure we ere having a pleasurable experience. I believe I paid $23 dollars for two lunch plates tip included which is reasonable if the food and service is great. I personally miss Rebel Rouser on Main Street. By the far the best of the previous mentioned. I still go to Gallatin every now and a then for a 1/2 #9 American Cheese, Works, Light on Oil and Ving. With this being said, MoMo's is no different than 5 Chefs, White House Cafe is no Different than Panther Den, and The Bar B Que Place is No Different than Strouds. As far as Independant Rests. goes Portland is comparable to WH. They have a Cracker Barrell we don't. They have a KFC, we have a Arbys. White House has the interchange, but growing up in Portland and living in WH now, I still spend more $ in Portland. White House is getting a Super Walmart, but why would I drive 10 minutes to WH Wal Mart when Franklin Walmart is 15-20 minutes away? No food tax and 6% Sales. I would be a fool! I'll save that agrument for another day:) Sorry for rambling...

I eat at Bottomview every morning.Im usually there early and during the week it is not crowded at all.On Saturdays it can sometimes get a little full but nothing unmanagable.The food is good country cookin at a very reasonable price.Hope this helps.

I would love to have a restaurant in Portland where you can actually sit down to a nice homecooked type of meal. Are there any places in Portland like that ( besides the mexican restaurants)? Or a really good sit down breakfast place?

Has anybody been to Bottomview farms for their breakfast? I have seen it on the website but I don't know if it's any good or not...or if it's a busy place where you need to get to early.

SC & Concerned

I have heard of Pasta Palace, and I did eat there 3-4 times. I always give restaurants the benefit of the doubt that if you had a bad experience once doesn't necessarily mean it is all bad.... Sorry but that was not Italian food.

I think that place was best when it was Charlie's on Main, he had the most awesome ham & bean soup! I/We were regular's there then and hated it when he sold.

I,ve lived here almost 3 years now and never heard of Pasta Palace,never even saw it on the list of restaurants on Portlands website. Maybe they needed to advertise it a little. I LOVE Italian food and would most definitly have gone there had I known about it!

Portland had a nice sit down resturant on Main St that closed just a last year. Anyone know what I am talking about?

Pasta Palace. I ate their several times along with my wife. The gentelman that owned the place came from the Chicago area and he had very good, feshed cooked food, Italian. Every time I went in there was myself, my wife and maybe one other person. He never made it big here because no one would go eat there. How is anything going to survive when hardly anybody eats there unless it is fast food. Now the place is a smoking eatry that serves the same ole stuff as everyone else, and I will never step foot in there again.

John L, Yes you are correct, Tim Coker does post to the blog and probably on more topics than Jody does.

Judy, Tim Coker also post to the blog on occasion.
Mr. Callis, Can you elaborate on who some of these business' are that have been invited to take a chance on us? I would also love to keep more of my money in Portland and I would love to see this town group and prosper.

Thank You Councilman Mike for attempting to answer some of these questions. One more for you... Why is it that none of the other board members ever post on the blog. Do they not care about what some of portlands citizens have to say? You and Jody are the only 2 I've seen on the blog. Thank You!

I only hope that some day soon we will see some change in this town, I have been here for 10 years and the only real changes I've seen is in the amount of traffic......

SC
I agree with you about gladly keeping my money here in Portland if there were somewhere to spend it.

I also understand Mike's comment about faithful citizens, however, I/we eat out 3-4 nights per week and in no way is there places in Portland that meet these needs unless I want to drive up and take it home in a paper bag..... I Vote NO MORE FAST FOOD eateries!!!!!!! LOL

So why are these people and businesses taking a chance on White House and Franklin KY and not us? I myself would gladly keep my money here in Portland....but I need somewhere here to spend it first ;)

There has to be services to have businesses.
We do not control the exchange, we cannot make Orlinda do anything.
You will not get off the interstate without seeing something first; that is where you are now.
There are some people looking, but someone has to put upthe money.The city cannot make someone come to town.
Also Hwy 52 needs sewer, we are looking to run it, but it will be very expensive.
Ideas are great and many others have the same, but until someone is willing to invest it will not happen.
Retail is not about magic, it is about investment.
We are asking several to come and take a chance on us and I hope some will soon.

Suppose to be a new gym going in plus other office spaces.

Does anyone know what is going in the building beside IGA? It looks as though it may be a workout place.

White House Population:
2005 Census----8,530
Portland Population:
2004 Census----10,046

We have more people but less retail & restaurants. Why???

No "Interstate" Exchange ????
Where did that come from???
We have the Exchange on Hwy 52 West --- It belongs to Orlinda??
I believe when I exit, I go toward Portland & it gets me to Orlinda or Portland just the same.

The Hwy 52 area is just sitting there waiting to be developed!!!
Restaurants -- where are you?? This is a "gold mine" just waiting to be tapped.
Get done with putting Industry everywhere-- put in some food places on the corner of Hwy 52 & 31W & go on down the entire Highway with Restaurants & Retail!!!
This would bring people from Portland & off the Interstate Exchange.
You don;t neccessarily have to have liquor by the drink .......
Example:
Put in a Cici's Pizza Restaurant on the corner of Hwy 52 & 31W. See how much business this would bring from the Community & the Interstate. You have school activities with bus loads of students needing a place to eat after an event --this is perfect!!!!You have people on lunch time-- quick & easy lunch no matter if you have 30 min or 1 hr.
Is there anyone out there willing to put in a Cici's Pizza?? -- you would make money no doubt.
This is just one example, this is a family oriented restaurant & you can eat healthy with salad & pizza made the way you want or you can pig out & eat whatever. ANd the price is "Great" --Buffet for $3.99 plus a drink. Start with an affordable place & get more upscale as we go along. Start with something normal people can afford.
This would bring the people off the Interstate & town & to follow would be other Restaruants & Retail.
Give the employees of these New Industries a place to spend their money here in "Our Town"!!!

I'm glad we elect our city officials & pay them so that we (the citizens) can come up with plain & simple ideas!!!!!

I really like the comment that the control of the Interstate Exchange belongs to Orlinda??? Where did that come from -- I thought everyone used it???
Get with it, use your common sense & get something in Portland to bring in money--jobs are already here --now let them spend some of that paycheck here also!!
Just a Thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some facts:
1.The citizens decide on liquor by the drink not the council; if you want it, vote for it this may, I am sure in will be on the ballot.
2.Beer is sold 6 days a week now, 1 more day will not cause restaurants to flock here.
3.Whitehouse has control of an interstate exchange, Portland does not; it belongs to Orlinda.
4.Close proximity to certain places causes some to drive out of the city.
5.A place like Pulaski, even though it is smaller than Portland, has much more because it is to far to drive somewhere else.
6.Resturants base their reasons more on the size of the lunch crowd than any other factor. if you only go on the weekends they cannot survive.

I understand your frustrations, I have them too. We are activly seeking more retail and eating, but someone has to put the financing up for these things. The city cannot force someone to invest, but we can make it easier; and we are trying to do that.
We will also need citizens to be more faithful in keeping their money in Portland and in the state.

DEBRA - NO Whitehouse does not sell liquor by the drink, beer only. Not sure of the population, not sure if the interstate has anything to do with it, maybe on the walmart. Up to recently Whitehouse had less than Portland. Any you are right these questions and Many More... need to be answered.

Our City government needs to start looking out for what is for the good of this community and let go of this issue they have with Liquor and or beer.

If they only spent as much energy on bringing good businesses to this city as they spend on battling liquor or beer issues we wouldn't be taking all our money to other towns!!!!!!!!

JESSICA - I think the Chicken Parm was $10.99 with the Ribs and Prime Rib I think was $16.99, and I believe they only have the Prime Rib on Weekends, they also take reservations as I understand this past Fri & Sat evening they were lined out the door.

LB - I think I know what you are talking about but a nicer place to dine wouldn't be out of sorts for portland and would be supported by the people if it would just happen, there is only one other place in this town to get a decent meal and it is only open until 2pm, not on weekends and has a very limited menu, does a good business but what about the rest of us who dine in the evenings!!

Does WhiteHouse sell liquor by the drink? What is the population of White House? Why are they getting all the "good" businesses and we end up with "nothing". Is it because they are just a little bit closer to the interstate than we are? Why can't Portland grow like our surrounding towns? These questions and many more need to be answered.

What type of prices do they have? Are they reasonable? We may just swing by sometime for a taste :) Thanks for sharing.

I would love to say that you are right, but it won't happen in Portland due to some facts that turn them away. Without name calling and finger pointing I can go any further on this.

Yes it is a nice place and your town deserves it but until some changes are made it can't/won't happen.