Restaurant Linderhof closes after 20 years in Town
German eatery owners cite ‘unavoidable financial circumstances’
David and Judit Lowrie, co-owners of Restaurant Linderhof — which had been part of the Farragut community for almost 20 years — closed the German eatery business.
“We’re very sorry about the circumstances,” said David Lowrie, co-owner with his wife, Judit Lowrie, about the restaurant located in Renaissance | Farragut at 11831 Kingston Pike.
“We appreciate (the customers’) patronage,” he added. “We did meet a lot of great people, and there were a fair amount of good, loyal customers who kept returning, and we really appreciated that.
“It’s just unfortunate that this had to happen,” David Lowrie added.
The Lowries purchased the restaurant from Aaron Schmissrauter July 2, 2018, with plans to add Eastern European cuisine to the German fare.
“I agree with David. It’s unfortunate,” Schmissrauter said. “I think there’s not a lot of restaurants like Linderhof left, not just in the Town but just anywhere.
“Going out to eat has changed since I’ve been doing it,” he added. “I think the demand for that kind of dining experience has kind of dwindled in the fast-paced lifestyles that we’re in. I guess the Town has spoken: they are looking to go out to eat elsewhere.”
German native Gunter Laus founded Restaurant Linderhof, originally located in Farragut Towne Square, adjacent to the old Ingles building, in 1999.
Schmissrauter, who purchased it in 2010, moved the restaurant to the
Renaissance complex in 2013.
Through the years he hosted Oktoberfest, featuring German beers, fare and music, in Renaissance parking lot.
He decided to sell last year to “move on to other things.”
However, Schmissrauter said Restaurant Linderhof was a large part of his life.
“I loved Oktoberfest and all the fanfare and everything we got to host,” he said. “I hope someone will pick that up somewhere.
“I hope someone will continue that kind of thing somewhere down the line.”
