CHEERS, THE Central Perk, Paddy’s Pub, MacLaren’s, and Monk’s Cafe. What do they all have in common? They are all iconic gathering places. Places that came into our lives each week, via our television screens, and showed people coming together to share stories, laughter and of course some good food and brew.
Luckily, these places not only exist on the small screen but also in real life. They can be found in big cities, small towns, off winding roads, and even atop a mountain.
Atop the Cumberland Plateau in Franklin County, you’ll find the small town of Sewanee. As unique as its name, are the businesses located in what is deemed the Sewanee Village.
One such establishment, that hails as the community’s gathering spot, is the Blue Chair Cafe, Bakery, & Tavern. True to its name, the establishment is a friendly color of yellow, with cheerful blue shutters and trim all along its facade. A stone walkway leads to the entrance where outside seating is available with protection from the elements. Just the seating alone calls patrons to come and sit a spell while owner Jimmy Wilson eagerly greets each to do the same. To say that Wilson doesn’t know a stranger would be an understatement. Each customer is considered family, and Wilson and his crew go out of their way to make sure each customer feels just as such.
Wilson can be found at the restaurant most days, spending his time making sure customers are taken care of properly. His job is easily done, as he puts his trust in a crew of employees that are as unique and lovely as the business itself.
Eleven years ago, Wilson would find himself and his wife, Sarah, as the new owners of the restaurant. Both are graduates of the University of the South, located just up the road, and the couple always carried a fondness for the area, especially The Blue Chair.
Then known as a coffee shop that sold baked goods, the establishment was owned by Susan Binkley. Binkley is the founder of The Blue Monarch, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a residential and therapeutic Christian community for women and their children, to break adverse cycles and rebuild their families. Hence, where the name of the eatery comes from.
Sarah was sitting on the board of the nonprofit. After a few conversations between friends, it was decided that she should move forward with focusing on Blue Monarch, and the Wilsons would take over management and later purchase the building. This would be the first time the couple would take on such a restaurant venture, but they were determined to give the historical establishment the care it deserved.
If fresh-baked goods, prepared with as much love as your grandmother would have poured into her own, are your thing, then a stop into the bakery should be first on your list when entering the shop. The restaurant’s baker, affectionately known as “Ms. Andie,” prepares the delicious, savory, and sweet baked goods that attract the masses each morning. Gourmet coffee is available to complete one’s breakfast routine properly.
Lunch is also a must try, as the menu includes a meatand- three that’s a staple on the menu, honoring the former City Cafe that was housed in the building when the Wilsons attended Sewanee. Folks can also enjoy an award-winning burger, or chicken salad.
“We serve a terrific meat-and-three. Fried chicken always stays on the menu, with the other protein changing daily,” Jimmy said.
The Blue Chair’s Tavern opens in the early evening to welcome supper-goers to classic bar food with the Blue Chair’s own twist.
“The menu on the Tavern side has a lot more diverse items that appeal to the university students,” said Ed Hawkins, business associate with The Blue Chair. “One of our most popular items is chicken strips. We don’t batter them until the customer orders them. Another favorite is our fish and chips.”
Items on the menu are also named after university favorites, such as the former vice-chancellors, professors, trainers, and campus spots. Even the mascot has its own place on the menu with Tiger Bowl, which is said to have special properties for those who have enjoyed a late night.
The Tavern side also carries what Jimmy refers to as “grown-up beer.” As a large shareholder of the Jackalope Brewery out of Nashville, the restaurant carries several different types of the craft brews. They have options for those who like a lighter beer or ciders.
Jimmy added that they are also working on more vegetarian friendly options to add to the menu.
“We are trying to offer more vegetarian options with items such as vegetarian egg rolls, and black bean and mushroom burgers,” Jimmy said. “My son, Felix, did an internship with a group called Midway Mushroom. They are growing mushrooms for high-end restaurants out of Chattanooga and Nashville. One of the students here, who is a senior, has put together a mushroom burger. It will be another option for our vegetarians. We have all tested it and loved it.”
When the Wilsons say they want people to gather, they mean it. The eatery not only offers a place to dine, but they also host a number of events during the week that include, Spoken Word, Trivia, and Coffee with Coach.
“We want to see the college and the community come together. [Everyone] from students [and] professors, to business owners and people who live in the area,” Jimmy said.
The Wilsons and Hawkins are also members of the Sewanee Business Alliance. The grassroots group of local business owners work diligently in creating events and opportunities for the community to come together and enjoy all that the Village has to offer.
For the future, Jimmy invites hungry patrons that are looking for good food and conversation to come and be a part of the magic of The Blue Chair. GN
