🏪 Fall Flavors, Holiday Turkeys and a Chance for Kids to Open Shop: Your Main Street Roundup

Or: Where to Shop Local, What to Order Before the Rush and Who’s Hiring Around the Valley

Main Street in the fall is a lot like a kitchen the week before Thanksgiving. Folks are stocking the pantry, trying out new recipes and making lists so nothing gets forgotten. This week’s roundup is your list.

Here’s what’s in it: Local Depot puts more than 40 local vendors under one roof on Rankin Avenue, Feral Forrest Pantry & Apothecary has new organic baking staples and local beeswax, Udder Yum has rolled out two fall ice cream flavors, the Dunlap Farmers Market wants young vendors for a Young Entrepreneurs Day, Morgan Brothers BBQ in Pikeville is taking Thanksgiving turkey orders through Nov. 13, Collins Building Materials in Jasper holds a Customer Appreciation Day this Friday, and TVA says it needs skilled trades workers while a Soddy-Daisy restaurant hires servers. A calendar of dates to remember wraps it up.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Shopping for gifts? Local Depot on Rankin Avenue has dozens of local makers in one store, open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Got a sweet tooth? Pumpkin Pie Supreme and Apple Crisp ice cream are here at Udder Yum for a limited time.
• Have a young crafter or gardener at home? Kids can apply now to sell at the Dunlap Farmers Market’s Young Entrepreneurs Day.
• Don’t want to cook the turkey? Order a smoked one from Morgan Brothers BBQ by Friday, Nov. 13.
• Need a chainsaw or trimmer? Collins Building Materials has 15% off Echo power equipment this Friday, Oct. 9 only.

🛍️ One Stop, Dozens of Neighbors: Local Depot on Rankin Avenue

Dunlap.Today took a closer look Oct. 6 at Local Depot, the multi-vendor shop at 15652 Rankin Ave. in downtown Dunlap. More than 40 local vendors share the store, so you’ll find a little bit of everything: handmade gifts, boutique clothing, home décor and locally raised beef, according to its Dunlap.Directory listing. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and you can reach it at (423) 949-8600.

What it means for you: A shop like this works like a church potluck. Everybody brings their best dish, and you get to sample the whole table in one trip. Because the shelves change as vendors bring in new things, it’s worth a stop every few weeks, especially as Christmas shopping season gets closer. If you make something yourself, ask about becoming a vendor.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Local Depot brings 40+ vendors under one roof) · Local Depot on Dunlap.Directory

🌿 New on the Shelves: Organic Staples and Local Beeswax at Feral Forrest

Feral Forrest Pantry & Apothecary, just down Rankin Avenue at 15781 Rankin Ave., has added organic cornmeal, organic sunflower seeds, organic quinoa and organic buckwheat flour, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 7. The shop has also started carrying raw, unfiltered beeswax from a local beekeeper. Owner Amanda Riddle’s shop is the relaunch of the longtime Phillip & Cindy’s Natural Herbs, Honey and Spices, and it carries herbs, spices, teas and honey.

What it means for you: If you bake cornbread from scratch or have someone at home with special dietary needs, you may not have to drive to Chattanooga for those ingredients anymore. And the beeswax is a handy thing to have around the house for homemade candles, lip balm or a little furniture polish. Call (423) 618-7964 to check what’s in stock before you go.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Feral Forrest expands organic staples and local beeswax) · Feral Forrest Pantry & Apothecary on Dunlap.Directory

🍂 Fall in a Cone: Udder Yum’s Pumpkin Pie Supreme and Apple Crisp

Udder Yum Ice Cream Shoppe at 16696 Rankin Ave. has brought out two seasonal flavors, Pumpkin Pie Supreme and Apple Crisp, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 7. They’re limited-time flavors, so they won’t be around forever.

What it means for you: It’s pumpkin pie without having to turn on the oven. If you’ve got kids or grandkids, here’s a tip: the library’s free Scoops ‘n Stories night is at Udder Yum on Monday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m., which makes it a good excuse to try the new flavors. Call (423) 949-4232 for hours.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Fall flavors arrive at Udder Yum) · Udder Yum Ice Cream Shoppe on Dunlap.Directory

🌱 Calling Young Business Owners: Young Entrepreneurs Day at the Dunlap Farmers Market

The Dunlap Farmers Market is taking applications from children and teens who want to sell their own handmade or homegrown products at a Young Entrepreneurs Day, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 7. Families apply online at dunlapfarmersmarket.com and should note on the form that they’re applying for the kids market. The event date hasn’t been announced yet, so watch the market’s Facebook page.

The market itself runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jeff Johnson Pavilion in Harris Park, 245 Cedar St., and the season ends Saturday, Oct. 31. The market’s rules say everything sold must be grown or made within 50 miles of Dunlap, and new applications are reviewed during the last week of each month, so it pays to apply early.

What it means for you: Selling a few jars of jam or a table of painted rocks teaches a child more about making change, talking to customers and pricing things than a whole week of worksheets. It’s like a lemonade stand with a real crowd. Even if you don’t have a young seller at home, stopping by to buy something is a big encouragement.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Young Entrepreneurs Day comes to Dunlap Farmers Market) · Dunlap Farmers Market vendor application · Dunlap Farmers Market on Dunlap.Directory

🦃 Let Somebody Else Smoke the Turkey: Morgan Brothers BBQ Takes Holiday Orders

Morgan Brothers BBQ at 38408 US-127 in Pikeville is now taking Thanksgiving pre-orders, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 6. Here’s what’s on the list:

• Whole smoked turkeys (21 to 24 lbs.): $80
• Smoked turkey breasts (8 to 12 lbs.): $75
• “We Smoke Your Turkey”: $1 per pound to smoke one you bring, plus $1 per pound if you want it brined and seasoned
• Sides by the half or full pan, including mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese and dressing, plus deviled eggs and homemade pies

Thanksgiving orders are due by Friday, Nov. 13. The restaurant also offers holiday party catering starting at $14 per person, with delivery and setup or hot pickup. Call (423) 447-6423 to order.

What it means for you: Ordering the turkey ahead is like putting up hay before the first frost. A little planning now saves a lot of scrambling later. If you’re in charge of a church supper or office party, it’s a good time to ask about dates before the calendar fills up.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Morgan Brothers BBQ brings holiday catering to Pikeville) · Morgan Brothers BBQ on Dunlap.Directory

🛠️ Fall Fix-Up Savings: Collins Building Materials Customer Appreciation Day

Collins Building Materials, the family-owned supply store at 6570 US-41 in Jasper, is holding a Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 9, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 7. Shoppers can expect in-store deals, 15% off all Echo power equipment that day only and a raffle drawing for a $12,950 KOHLER prize, with the winner announced Oct. 9. The store opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays, and you can call (423) 225-6355 with questions.

What it means for you: Fall is when the chainsaw, leaf blower and string trimmer earn their keep, and Echo makes all three. If one of yours is on its last legs, Friday is the day to replace it. Collins has served the area for more than 45 years, so it’s also a good chance to ask questions about a winter project.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Customer Appreciation Day at Collins Building Materials) · Collins Building Materials on Dunlap.Directory

💼 Good Hands Wanted: TVA Talks Trades Jobs, and a Lakeside Restaurant Is Hiring

TVA’s Sequoyah Nuclear Plant in Soddy-Daisy began a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage on Unit 2 on Oct. 2, Local 3 News reported. About 750 TVA employees and 1,100 contract workers are handling more than 11,000 planned jobs. TVA says it’s fully staffed for this outage, but it’s urging more people to go into the skilled trades for future work. Electricians, lineworkers, welders and technicians are in especially high demand. TVA says the State of Tennessee and unions offer training programs, and that some trades jobs pay more than $100,000.

Closer to everyday, Zois Harbor Lights Restaurant at 9718 Hixson Pike in Soddy-Daisy is hiring servers at $14 an hour, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 7. Applications are taken in person.

What it means for you: Learning a trade is like planting an orchard. It takes a few seasons before it bears fruit, but then it feeds you for years. If you’ve got a teenager who likes taking things apart, or you’re thinking about a change yourself, the free American Job Center drop-in hours at the Sequatchie County Public Library on Monday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. are a good place to ask about training.

👉 Read more (Local 3 News: TVA seeking skilled workers for future projects) · Zois Harbor Lights is hiring (Dunlap.Today) · More local jobs on Dunlap.Today

🗓️ Your Main Street Calendar: Dates to Remember

• Fri., Oct. 9: Customer Appreciation Day at Collins Building Materials in Jasper, with 15% off Echo power equipment.
• Oct. 9 and 10: New Martin Church of God Fall Yard Sale at 2263 Myers Road in Pikeville, with $10 breakfast plates (biscuits and gravy, fried apples, bacon or sausage) from 7 to 10 a.m. and $10 lunch plates from 11 a.m. Bring cash.
• Saturdays, Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Dunlap Farmers Market at Harris Park. Oct. 31 is the last market of the season.
• Mon., Oct. 19, 6 p.m.: Free Scoops ‘n Stories family night at Udder Yum.
• Oct. 21 to 24: Friends of the Library book sale at the Sequatchie Fair Building, 103 Heard Street.
• Mon., Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Free American Job Center help at the Sequatchie County Public Library.
• Fri., Nov. 13: Deadline to order a Thanksgiving turkey from Morgan Brothers BBQ.

What it means for you: Tear this list out and stick it on the fridge next to the grocery list. The two dates most folks forget are the last farmers market on Oct. 31 and the turkey deadline on Nov. 13.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Fall Yard Sale & Breakfast Fundraiser in Pikeville) · Sequatchie County Public Library calendar

✅ Your Main Street Checklist

• ✅ Stop by Local Depot and get a head start on Christmas gifts from local makers.
• ✅ Call Feral Forrest before baking day to see if they have the organic flour or cornmeal you need.
• ✅ Try Pumpkin Pie Supreme or Apple Crisp at Udder Yum before they’re gone.
• ✅ Help a young seller fill out the kids market application at dunlapfarmersmarket.com.
• ✅ Put Nov. 13 on the calendar and call Morgan Brothers BBQ if you want a smoked turkey.
• ✅ Need a new chainsaw or trimmer? Shop Collins on Friday, Oct. 9 for 15% off Echo.
• ✅ Know somebody looking for work? Send them the Dunlap.Today jobs page and the Nov. 2 job center date.

Practical rule: Order early, shop close and bring cash for the little guys.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Main Street Glossary

• Multi-vendor shop: One store where many small sellers each rent a little space to sell their goods.
• Vendor: A person or small business that sells products, like a booth at a market.
• Pre-order: Placing your order ahead of time so it’s ready on the day you need it.
• Catering “per person”: The price is figured by how many people you’re feeding.
• Brining: Soaking meat in salt water before cooking so it stays juicy.
• Customer Appreciation Day: A day a store sets aside to thank regular customers with deals and giveaways.
• Raffle: A drawing where a name is picked at random to win a prize.
• Organic: Food grown without most synthetic chemicals, following federal organic rules.
• Raw, unfiltered beeswax: Wax straight from the hive that hasn’t been heavily cleaned or processed.
• Refueling outage: A planned shutdown at a nuclear plant to load new fuel and do maintenance.
• Contract worker: Someone hired for a specific job or time period instead of as a permanent employee.
• Skilled trades: Hands-on careers that take special training, like electricians, welders and plumbers.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What can I find at Local Depot?

Handmade gifts, boutique clothing, home décor and locally raised beef, among other things. Since more than 40 vendors share the store, what’s on the shelves changes often. Call (423) 949-8600 or check their Facebook page.

How long will Udder Yum’s fall flavors last?

They’re seasonal, limited-time flavors. The shop hasn’t said exactly how long they’ll be around, so call (423) 949-4232 if you’re making a special trip.

How does my child sign up for Young Entrepreneurs Day?

Fill out the vendor application at dunlapfarmersmarket.com and note that it’s for the kids market. Products need to be handmade or homegrown. The event date will be announced by the market.

What’s the deadline for a Morgan Brothers Thanksgiving turkey?

Thanksgiving orders must be in by Friday, Nov. 13. Call (423) 447-6423 to order.

Is the Echo discount at Collins good all week?

No. The 15% off Echo power equipment is for Friday, Oct. 9 only.

Is TVA hiring right now for the Sequoyah outage?

TVA says it’s staffed for this outage. Its message is about the future: the region needs more electricians, welders, lineworkers and technicians, and training is available through the state and unions.

How do I get my business into the Main Street Roundup?

Make sure your business is listed on Dunlap.Directory, and send news about openings, hiring, specials or events to Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Directory: Local business listings
• Dunlap.Today: New Businesses
• Dunlap.Today: Jobs & Employment
• Dunlap Farmers Market
• Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce
• Sequatchie County Public Library
• Jobs4TN: Tennessee’s free job search site

🌻 Every Local Purchase Keeps a Light On Downtown

None of this has to happen all at once. Maybe this week it’s an ice cream cone on Rankin Avenue, and next week it’s a turkey order or a Saturday morning at the farmers market. Every small stop keeps a neighbor’s doors open and a paycheck in the Valley.

We’ll be back with more openings, specials and jobs you can use. Read Dunlap.Today and sign up for our newsletter for plain-English Valley news, and find local businesses anytime on Dunlap.Directory.