Last week someone in a malicious and damaging manner sent out a vicious and untrue e-mail about Oliver’s. The email created a crisis, but the events that followed were truly amazing. The local media, the community and our many loyal guests all rallied to support Oliver’s.
First, I want to thank Steve Hartline who called me and immediately started broadcasting that the e-mail was false. Next, both the Cleveland Daily Banner and The Daily Post Athenian went above and beyond the call of duty to get the word out. We also received support from the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Then above all we had support from our loyal guests. Our guests were outraged when they learned about this event. I had bank presidents, schoolteachers, car dealers, and high school friends all coming by to lend support. Cleveland is truly a great community and once again it proved itself.
There was one thing about the e-mail, however, that was true, these are challenging times. I would like to encourage each of you to continue to support businesses with local ties, restaurants that have local owners, car dealers who are from here, banks with local shareholders and leaders. In these tough times you have many choices in where you choose to spend your money, and I encourage you to spend it locally. When you spend your money locally it stays here in East Tennessee.
The outreach of support from all of you was overwhelming and for that I am very appreciative. Again, I want to encourage you to dine with us as often as possible. This allows us and other local companies to fulfill our mission locally.
Thank you,
Bill Emendorfer
Oliver’s Restaurant
