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The Foothills Milling Company restaurant opened its doors in August 2001 in Wears Valley, nestled between Townsend and Pigeon Forge. Initially a modest establishment with just 13 tables and 42 seats, it quickly earned a stellar reputation for gourmet dining in an elegant setting.

The restaurant’s vision stemmed from the previous chef/owners' brainstorming sessions; they aimed to establish an upscale, fine dining option that was absent in the Smoky Mountain region. The mill motif represents the resilience and self-reliance of East Tennessee communities, and a functioning mill was even incorporated into the restaurant’s design.

Foothills Milling Company enjoyed a strong launch that fall when a food critic from Knoxville wrote an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel, drawing visitors from the metropolitan Knox County area. Word spread quickly, and the restaurant was bustling on Friday and Saturday evenings. The following February, another feature in the News Sentinel’s food section, complete with photographs, detailed the restaurant’s story in Wears Valley, further increasing its patronage.

As the weekends thrived, the restaurant's weekday business flourished during the summer and fall months, necessitating additional seating. They added three more two-top tables to the corners of the dining area to accommodate the demand. Within the first few years, the owners recognized the need for a larger space to serve more guests and boost weekday and year-round operations. In early 2005, they began searching for a new location. With about 75% of their clientele coming from Maryville or traveling through Blount County from Knoxville, they decided to relocate there. In late March 2006, the restaurant transitioned to a new venue at the corner of Washington and Ellis, a building that once housed the Studebaker and Edsel showroom from 1921 to 1948.

The restaurant not only embodies the essence of the foothills but also sources much of its food from local farmers and businesses, including Benton’s Bacon, Cruze Farms, and Vienna Coffee. This commitment to local sourcing is a tradition that will endure for generations.

In late 2018, the Schwartz family acquired Foothills Milling Company from the previous owners. Today, the restaurant continues to aim for excellence, establishing itself as a cornerstone of exceptional southern dining.

From Maryville, Tennessee

Not only has the restaurant's image come from the foothills, but much of its food comes from the fruit of local farmers and businesses including Benton's Bacon, Cruze Farms, and Vienna Coffee, a tradition that will stay with the restaurant for generations to come.