Forest Restaurant and Best Western Hotel, Franklin, 1984
The Forest Motel began its operation on December 29, 1957, which was owned by Albert and Virginia Kuhlman. It offered 25 units and 35 beds and quickly gained popularity among travelers. Later, in 1960, the Forest Restaurant was launched with 110 seats in the front section and 125 seats in the banquet room. The restaurant was used as a meeting place for community events and gatherings. In 1984, the restaurant was renovated and specialized in serving steaks, seafood, and prime rib. According to Albert Kuhlman, the Forest Restaurant owed much of its success to Calvin Cross. In 1963, at the young age of 17, Cross began working at the Forest Restaurant, starting off as a dishwasher, janitor, and busboy. By 1984, he worked his way up to become the Executive Chef and Kitchen Manager, and introduced delicious new dishes to the menu, such as shrimp and eggplant casserole, seafood casserole, seafood and okra gumbo, cream soups, chicken Las Vegas, and crawfish fettuccine. The motel and restaurant are still located at 1909 Main Street.