FRANKLIN, Tenn. - It's been a popular fixture of the community for more than four decades, but visiting one local restaurant could end up costing you big bucks; and we're not talking about the prices of food.
For more than 40 years folks have been coming to this place at East Main Street and 1st Ave. South in downtown Franklin.
"Longer than you've been alive," laughed Betty Nelson.
Dotson's Restaurant has kept folks coming by serving what so many want :the food.
Enjoying the food hasn't been so easy recently; as many of these loyal customers' vehicles are being towed from surrounding parking lots.
"It might be legal, but it isn't right; it isn't ethical and it isn't the way folks should treat each other here in Tennessee," said popular radio host Steve Gill.
Gill says on Sunday he parked just behind the Dotson's at the Region's Bank after getting money from the ATM.
Minutes later owners of Dotson's said tow trucks were out back rounding the cars up.
"I'm a customer of Regions, why are they towing my car," asked Gill.
The issue comes in with who owns the property.
On three sides of Dotson's Restaurant is owned by Preston Ingram and partners.
Many people believe this is a plan to run Dotson's business off; in hopes the restaurant will move or shut down.
"This is basically a squeeze play. They're trying to force these guys out of business by blocking them between two (properties) owned by Preston Ingram. He owns the Regions Bank lot and they are literally trying to squeeze these guys out of business," said Gill.
Right now customers continue pile in this restaurant with limited parking place at bay.
Many of them just hope there is a solution before it's too late.
Ingram and his partners are not breaking any law-- this is their property and there are signs posted.
News Channel 5 was able to speak with Mr. Ingram today by phone and he says that he did offer Dotson's owner, Arthur McCloud, an opportunity to rent the space for parking; but Ingram says Dotson refused that offer.
Ingram says they have to pay property taxes on the land and it's not right to allow folks to use it for free.
Preston Ingram also tells us he and his partners are in preliminary discussions of possibly building a boutique hotel in that open space.
