Culture
New Fort Kid Mural by Dustin Durham Makes Debut (And It’s Interactive!)
On a chilly, gray November day in Knoxville, a splash of vibrant color officially debuted. Local muralist and designer Dustin Durham introduced a new interactive mural covering the wall along Fort Kid and, importantly, the sidewalk....
Knoxville’s Holiday Season Kicks Off with Regal Celebration of Lights
The transformation of downtown Knoxville into a holiday wonderland begins well before Thanksgiving. The large Christmas tree on Gay Street that looks so beautiful when the lights explode into the night? Starts out looking like a...
McClung Museum Embraces the Complicated Story of Indigenous Americans
In 1990, Congress and President Bush designated November National American Indian Heritage Month. The name has since changed to National Native American Heritage Month. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge “the culture, traditions, and achievements of the...
Blown Away by Trombone Shorty
(Today’s article is by recurring guest writer Luke Frazier, a relatively new Knoxville resident who continues to explore the city.) Troy Andrews (aka Trombone Shorty) is a flat out multi-instrumental genius. He was a child prodigy...
Business
St. Lucille’s Cajun Kitchen to Bring Cajun Food to Emory Place
Emory Place has undergone tremendous change in recent years. Most of the northwestern side has gotten a complete overhaul, adding apartments to second floors and businesses below, including French Fried Vintage and Design AF. Pivot Point...
Lilou, Downtown’s French Brasserie, Details Announced
Aaron Thompson and Jessica King, owners of Brother Wolf and Osteria Stella in the Old City, have released details for their upcoming French brasserie, Lilou to be located at 428 South Gay Street, the location of...
Landing Health And Performance Wants You To See Health As More Than Time In The Gym
In February, I told you that South Landing Fitness would rebrand and expand, and they have done just that. Shane and Crissy Glarrow have rebranded the business as Landing Health and Performance and doubled their physical...
Eddie’s Health Shoppe Downtown: Growing and Evolving for Five Years
Eddie’s Health Shoppe, originally opened in Halls in 1995, opened its second location in West Knoxville in 2004, began production of ZenEvo Chocolates in 2012, and followed with the downtown location in 2018. The location had about...
Development
McClung Warehouse Site Redevelopment In Focus, Again
A desire to redevelop the McClung Warehouses on Jackson Avenue and then, once they burned, to redevelop the site goes back well over a decade. The first portion of the building burned in 2007, with a...
What Could Knoxville Be Without All the Asphalt?
Cities will have asphalt, concrete, and other hard surfaces for as long as they exist into the future. It wasn’t always that way, but with the advent of cars, asphalt dominated cities as the demand for...
2025 Projects Taking Shape: A Look at the Current State of Development
As we head into the weekend, let’s take a look at four current projects underway in and near downtown. These are all projects we’ve covered in the past, but they are projects that will take a...
Gay Street Plans Fall Through; Property Back on Market
Not all downtown development plans come to fruition and the plans for the former TVA Credit Union Building at the corner of Gay and Wall is the latest on that list. The building housed the TVA...
Events
Details for the 2023 Knoxville Christmas Parade This Friday (Plus a Little More)
It’s not just any Knoxville Christmas Parade, it’s the fiftieth annual and it promises to be bigger (“122 parade units!”) than ever before. Included will be the usual mix of marching bands, church and community groups,...
Downtown Knoxville Ten Day Planner (11/26 – 12/5/2023)
If you want your event included, please make a Facebook event, invite me via the “invite” button on the event page (Alan Sims – you’ll have to friend me), and it will be included. I need...
Holiday Spirit and Events Around Every Downtown Corner 2023
It’s the most magical time of year! And my favorite. Knoxville does not disappoint regarding events and ways to celebrate the holiday season. Here are some of the highlights of the holiday events going on downtown....
Downtown Knoxville Ten Day Planner (11/19 – 11/28/2023)
If you want your event included, please make a Facebook event, invite me via the “invite” button on the event page (Alan Sims – you’ll have to friend me), and it will be included. I need...
Life
Trees Knoxville: Growing the Urban Canopy One Tree at a Time
Trees Knoxville, a local organization working to add to the city’s tree canopy for the last eight years, is committed to the expansion of Knoxville’s tree canopy. Why is that important? The reasons go far beyond...
A Journey Through Knoxville’s History with the Technology of Today
Whether you are a history fan, music lover, or art enthusiast, there is a walking tour ready for you to explore the downtown area. Last Saturday, while my oldest theater fan attended a masterclass with Amina...
First Clouds on the Horizon
(Today’s article is by recurring guest writer Luke Frazier, a relatively new Knoxville resident who continues to explore the city.) I’ve kept my eye on the cloud reflections on the First Horizon building for about a...
A Conversation with Mayor Indya Kincannon: Anticipating Her Second Term
In August, Mayor Kincannon won the primary for a second term as Knoxville Mayor. Winning 58% of the vote in a four-person field, she avoided a runoff by crossing the 50% threshold. In a continuation of...