A new market/convenience store has opened on the 100 block of Gay Street. Developed as one part of a two-part store front, the location had most recently served as office space. Opened early in August, the store offers much of what you’d expect from a convenience store with, perhaps, a few extras not available in the heart of downtown. The store is co-owned by Keyur Patel (you can call him “Krish,” which he goes by, but better to learn to say “Keyur”) and his wife Ankita, along with three other partners, one of whom is named “Ian.”
Keyur, originally from Gujarat (the same area in India that produced Prime Minister Modi), studied hospitality in London before arriving in the U.S. in 2018. After living in Birmingham for a year (his reviews were not positive), he moved to Knoxville where he joined his parents, siblings, and extended family. Of Knoxville he said, “I love Knoxville. I don’t every want to move.”
The conversion from office space to retail continues to cement the 100 block as one of the epicenters of downtown commerce. Long thought of as a primary block in the resurgence of downtown, businesses in the past have struggled here. Maintaining tenants has been more of a struggle than other hubs in the downtown area, such as the Old City, the 400 block of Gay Street, Union Avenue, and, of course, Market Square.
The block currently hosts one of the most diverse line-ups of businesses of any in the city . It features an office furniture store and a design gallery with furniture available by appointment. Three art galleries (and an art collective) beckon passersby to browse the exhibitions there, while an antique and used book store offers even more to explore, along with a fun tea service, coffee, and a game of chess if you like.
A full-service restaurant with a bar sits near downtown’s only Tiki bar. A row of shops offers salon services including waxing, hair, and nails in separate businesses. Two retail shops offer their wares, with one also offering coffee, and the other offering screen printing and other services. Of course there are offices and many residences — perhaps the most dense residential block in east Tennessee.
While the market opened a couple of weeks ago, Keyur said the is continuing to gather inventory, so any currently empty shelving will be used. He has a new ATM machine that will be placed in the middle of the store and may have an additional cooler or shelving behind it. He has plans to add more grocery items, including eggs, cheese, milk, meats, and vegetables. You can expect a supply of pet food, baby items, and more.
He said he wants to help people not have to leave downtown for basic items they need on a regular or sporadic basis. He’s encouraging customers to tell him any ideas they might have for additional products, particularly if they are currently missing downtown. I noticed Styrofoam coolers, for example, that I don’t recall seeing anywhere else this side of Walmart or Kroger.
Keyur makes a strong case for being the world’s busiest man (my opinion, not his). He manages a market in the Cedar Bluff area and has now opened this, his first business. The market is open seven days a week and, at least initially, you’ll find Keyur or Anika behind the counter every day. Those two jobs not being enough, the couple also wrangles a two-year-old at home. And he has more planned. He insists it is all about organization and devoting the right number of hours to each venture every day. Of all his work, he referenced his son, “I work for him to make his future bright.”
As for those additional plans? In the short term, they include managing the adjacent, currently empty, space for his partners. While the previously announced plans for an Indian restaurant in the space fell through, the new group has resurrected those plans and will open “Spice Hut,” within the next weeks, with a Indian food, but a completely different concept. I hope to have a menu and details very soon.
For now, the business continues to increase sales each day and he remains confident it will continue to grow and be successful. He is not short on ideas to continue the momentum, including developing a website, adding an app that will show in real time items available and pricing. He hopes to have online ordering with delivery by a service. The market is open 8 am to 10 pm each weekday, 8 am to 11 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Pending completion of the website, the best place to follow them is on their Facebook Page. And stop in to say hello to Keyur and Ankita — tell them you read about them here!