After being out of the restaurant business for the past year and a half, the family behind one of Chickamauga’s most-loved eateries has reopened their business, albeit on a smaller scale.

The Hunt family, creators and owners of the former Scarlett’s Tea Room in downtown Chickamauga, recently re-opened their famous selection of sandwiches, soups, salads and succulents as Scarlett’s “Gourmet” Pantry & Pas-tries. Located next to Greg’s Restaurant on U.S. 27 in the business district of Chickamauga, the location is perfect for busy professionals looking to grab a quick lunch, and the food, which loyal Hunt family customers have missed for some time, is as good as ever before.

“I kept getting calls,” said Cindy Hunt, the master force behind the shop’s famous recipes. “Everybody kept wanting my chicken salad.”

Eventually, Hunt realized that she needed to open her kitchen’s fare to the public once more. Though much downsized from the old Scarlett’s Tea Room restaurant, which could seat 60 people and often hosted gatherings and receptions, Scarlett’s “Gourmet” Pantry & Pastries still has the same menu as before, with a few additions as well. The small café-style feel of the new shop has a friendly, casual lunch atmosphere that the Hunt family finds re-freshing and welcome.

“We’re just so happy to be back,” said Hunt.

Like its predecessor, Scarlett’s Tea Room, the shop is named after the “Gone With the Wind” character, and fea-tures the same dishes, including local favorites such as chicken salad and quiche, as well as a wide assortment of new dessert items.

“We’ve added pastries, including birthday cakes,” said Hunt. Gourmet coffees are also a new addition. Their sig-nature sweets, thumbprint cookies and peanut butter balls, are back as well. The Hunts proudly make each and every recipe from scratch.

“It’s a family thing,” she said.

Cindy Hunt and her daughter-in-law Christie Hunt and oldest granddaughter Kayla Hunt worked together at Scarlett’s Tea Room, and now have re-teamed to make the new shop a reality, where they daily prepare the food and operate the business. Over the ten years the Hunt family owned and operated Scarlett’s Tea Room however, they not only grew closer through ties of blood and marriage, but expanded their family to include a host of regular customers as well.

“After ten years, it really felt like family,” said Hunt. Many of the regular customers, who have become good friends to the family, would even help out at the restaurant, waiting tables and clearing dishes, on overly busy days.

Longtime customer Benny Ware is glad to see the Hunt family back in business. He can often be found coming in at lunch for one of Hunt’s signature chicken salad sandwiches. “It’s all good,” he said of the food. “I’ve never had a bad thing here.”

To celebrate their re-opening, Scarlett’s “Gourmet” Pantry & Pastries will be holding a grand opening event Saturday, April 7, featuring free samples, extended hours and a festive atmosphere. Everyone, especially friends and former customers of Scarlett’s Tea Room, is encouraged to attend.

Scarlett’s “Gourmet” Pantry & Pastries is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Scarlett’s “Gourmet” Pantry & Pastries

12564 North U.S. 27 Chickamauga (next to Greg’s Restaurant)

(706) 375-BAKE (2253)

Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.