Calvin opened the doors to Wright’s Country Cuisine in Kingsport some twenty years ago on Jack White Drive next to Charter Communications. I remember when it opened the building was the most unusual restaurant in town, looking like a storefront from Dollywood.
He served up a homely cafeteria-style menu that attracted lots of seniors, special clubs and civic meetings. My favorite….the Hawaiian Cake his wife ( a part of the LaGuardia family). He worked hard at his business too. A lifelong restauranteur, Calvin put a lot of time and energy into this business – now part of the history of our community.
The Times-News article says, ‘He said stricter bankruptcy laws that take effect Monday, increasing competition in the food business and a lack of projected development in the MeadowView area in south Kingsport are among reasons for the closings and bankruptcy.’
I met Calvin back in the mid eighties working as an advertising representative for the Kingsport Times-News and helped him to promote a lot of the special events at his restaurant. He always had something special for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. He tried a breakfast for a while too.
Over the years, he was a regular fixture at Chamber events, catered parties and he was a straight-up guy. I’ll always remember his missing thumb on his right hand – always aware at a handshake. His life in the restaurant business has been both profitable and costly.
20 years is a good run for any local restaurant. Au revoir Wright’s!
What’s more discouraging is the continued slow growth at Meadowview. The Damons franchise he opened never had the moxy the store in Abingdon had and as far as ribs are concerned…Texas Roadhouse all the way. I was never impressed with Damons that much and as he mentioned in the article, when Up The Creek shut down…his place was out of site, out of mind.
Good luck Calvin. You’re a fine entrepreneur in my book.