Niedlov's St. Elmo location is closing this month after a little more than a year in business.
"It was a good opportunity to kind of test the waters with a satellite location, which is something I had been thinking about for several years," owner John Sweet said. "We got into it with a low-enough risk that we could just look at it as an experiment."
The store hasn't met bread sale projections, Sweet said.
The business's primary location is on Main Street, and Sweet said he thinks there is something special about buying bread directly from the bakery.
"[At our Main Street location] we offer a unique bread-buying experience," Sweet said. "It's hard to simulate."
Sweet had looked at other possible places in Hixson and East Brainerd, but a strong following from St. Elmo and Lookout Mountain residents is what prompted Sweet to give the satellite location a try.
Sweet is looking to sell the St. Elmo location, and the last day his business will be open is Feb. 24.
He is looking to sell the location, its equipment and, possibly, the Shapiro's Deli and Gift Basket trademark.
The equipment includes a six-eye stove with oven, flat-top grill, two coolers, sandwich preparation unit, steamer, sandwich press, chest freezer, deli case, ice machine and tables and chairs with about 35 seats.
"Everything is all set up and ready to go," Sweet said in an email. "You'll just need to switch over utilities and get a business license."
The current asking price is $20,000, he also said.
"It's a good spot for a restaurant," he said. "I'd like to turn it over to someone else."
St. Elmo resident Heather Wilson said she never tried the Niedlov's location near her home, but she wishes she could have supported it more.
"I am sad to lose another place in St. Elmo," she said.
