Paula Deen Ventures announced today its first new business “Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen,” a new restaurant and retail operation at “The Island in Pigeon Forge,” which is a family-friendly real estate project developed by Darby Campbell and Bob McManus, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Pigeon Forge is the gateway community for Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the location of the Dollywood theme park.
With a projected design, construction and yearly operation budget of nearly $20 million, the 20,000 square foot Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, scheduled to open in late summer 2014, marks new expansion of the Deen family’s Savannah-based restaurant and retail operation.
“The Island in Pigeon Forge,” whose initial components opened in 2013, will add significant economic growth to the region, as hospitality, restaurants and lodging are the area’s largest sources of revenue.
In this new venture, the Deen project will join other hospitality and retail leaders such as Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Hotel and Build-A-Bear, along with a range of retail and dining operations.
Return to savannahnow.com or see Thursday’s Savannah Morning News for additional information.