Hooper’s on Main has a special ring to Eric Hooper’s ears.

His new restaurant at 556 West Main in Sylva is across the street from the historic Hooper House that his great grandfather, Dr. Delos Dexter Hooper, built in 1905 and just down the street from the former Hooper’s Drug Store.

Eric Hooper made his mark in Cherokee at Peter’s Pancake and Waffles — which he still owns — and Big Boy. He said he had always wanted to come home to Sylva, and when the owners of the IronStone Grill contacted him last December, he made his move.

“I decided it was time,” he said.

Hooper brings 20-plus years of experience and a simple business plan — focus on the locals. “If you build a good local base, your business will grow by word of mouth,” Hooper said.

Hooper’s Restaurant makes it easy for local business owners, contractors and any early-risers to get a good start to their day by opening its doors at 6:30 a.m.

According to the breakfast menu, “Nuthin’ starts the day quite like breakfast at Hooper’s.” And that menu is chock full of signature pancakes like blueberry, pecan, buckwheat, backpacker and cornmeal. Plus there are eggs, anyway you like ‘em, biscuits and gravy, grits, potatoes and the list goes on.

The 95-seat restaurant also caters to locals by offering a discount to downtown employees and all uniformed personnel. Plus there’s another community connection — all the breads and rolls served at Hooper’s are prepared just down the street at Annie’s Bakery. Hooper’s hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, but Hooper said that was subject to change as business grows.

Hooper’s features American cuisine.

“I plan to do what I know how to do and to do it well,” he said.

That doesn’t mean he plans to do it all himself. “You’re only as good as the people around you,” Hooper said. “And I’ve known a lot of these people forever,” he said, referring to a staff of around 20.

Hooper is aware of the risks of stepping out in a down economy, but he feels he has the right combination of experience and product to be successful in his hometown.

“If you put out a good product at a good price, you’re going to be successful,” he said. “And when people come to Hooper’s they can expect good food and good service and plenty of both!”