The first day of classes in Knox County already showed a stark contrast in business for Johnnie Stringfield and Sir Goony's Mini Golf.
"The first week back to school, the first 10 days, it gets real slow with business, people getting back to school, kids get back into the groove," Stringfield said.
After, what he said was "record crowds" coming to the Farragut mini golf course this summer, due to the hot, dry weather, he knew all good things will come to an end.
That end was Tuesday -- the first day of classes for Knox County students.
"Today is a sad note because they're back in school. They're not around today," he added.
Instead, kids and parents are shifting from these summertime locales to the stores, as they get ready to stock up on school supplies.
"This time of year is like fourth quarter time because we get all the business from UT opening," said Andrew Thress, the assistant manager at the Ray Mears Blvd. Target.
Meanwhile, Stringfield hopes he'll still see customers come to Sir Goony's for the remainder of this year. He had to adjust and cut hours, because of the decreased crowds, and said if worse comes to worse, he knows those customers will return when school lets out next year -- only 281 days from now.