Meet Eddie Tatum! Eddie is the owner of Red Shoe House in Gainesville and is celebrating 50 years in business this year! Eddie has worked at Red Shoe House most of those 50 years; beginning at age 15 working afternoons and weekends.
We want to thank Eddie for meeting with our intern Grady Vardeman earlier this year and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.

Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I’ve grown up in it, I started working for my father when I was just a kid.”

Q: In the 50 years working here what’s some of the coolest things you’ve worked on?
A: “We helped the Gainesville Fire department make a dummy for their training exercises.”

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I’ve lived in Hall County all my life and almost worked at Red Shoe all my life as well. I started here when I was just 15 years old with my father on Saturdays and after school.”

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Chilis and I love to get their ribs.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I would like to go to Alaska one day, I think it would be really cool to see all the nature and outdoors there. I would also like to go fishing and hunting while I’m there.”

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Be honest with one another, especially in this day and age.”

Q: What current or local business makes you most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Georgia Chair, they aren’t around anymore, but they were on Industrial Boulevard and it was nearly open for 100 years.”

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Hall County?
A: “I love how close we are to the mountains, but also have the lake near us as well.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “I really don’t know, but i’ll work here as long as my health allows it.”

Q: What three words or phrases that come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Quiet, rest, and happy.”

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I love to go bass fishing when I’m not working, I love to throw a top water bait in the summer and just see the fish jump up and take it.”

Q: If you had a full time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: “Trainer, to keep me in shape.”