As mentioned yesterday, the end of one year and the beginning of the next often ushers in change in the downtown business world. Closings are almost a given and, often, there are new businesses giving it a go. Yesterday we covered two openings and a closure and today we reverse course for two closures and an opening.
Just as we entered the holiday season, The Lunchbox at 607 Market Street announced the closure of their downtown location. A simple sign was placed in the doorway which read:
Thank you Downtown Knoxville for over 40 years of Loyalty! As we move into a new era, we have decided not to renew our lease at the Market Street location. Friday, December 13, will be our last day of service to the wonderful business community. Please come visit Ms. Jo and enjoy some of Knoxville’s favorite chicken salad! Thank you!
Over forty years in business is no small accomplishment. Don and Karen Sproles opened the business in the First Tennessee Plaza in 1981. I first wrote about them in 2011, when Urban Woman and I had lunch at the Market Street Location to which they had just moved the business. Sadly, Don died the next summer, leaving Karen both locations (there is one in west Knoxville) and in 2016 she announced the closure of both. Within weeks new owners Bradford and Rex Jones stepped in to keep the businesses operational.
If you’re wondering about the other location, their website indicates the “possibility of rebranding our 505 Kingston Pike Location” and encourages visits to the website for any further updates. I scheduled an interview with the above mentioned “Ms. Jo” who managed the downtown location for thirty years, but illness prevented us from meeting.
Offered in the spirit of Elton John’s album “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player,” . . .
The opening of the day is The Laboratory Smoke Shop at 108 East Jackson Avenue. I stumbled into this one while photographing Christmas lights and couldn’t believe it had slipped in. Most of them, in addition to the standard fare including Hemp, THCA, and tobacco products, have some little difference. The difference here is they also offer vintage clothing and they are open, in keeping with the Old City, until 3:00 am Friday and Saturday nights. They also hope to feature local artists that fit their vibe.
I spoke to Gabe Watson who will move to Knoxville to manage the store. The store is one of several the company operates and Gabe said they’ve won awards and he was proud that they do their own pre-rolls. He said the vintage wear is sold on consignment and that’s a mark of their businesses elsewhere (he’s worked in the Johnson City location) as well as offering local art on consignment. Store hours: Monday – Wednesday, 10 am – midnight, Thursday 10 am – 1:00 am, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 am, Sunday, 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.
And finally, a closing that hits close to my heart: Pivot Point Gallery at 15 Emory Place will close its doors on February 2. In their most recent e-mail newsletter, they announced:
It is with some sadness that we are announcing the closing of Pivot Point Gallery. Our last day open will be February 2nd . . . Come take advantage of deep discounts on all our art before it is gone! Minimum of 30% off all pieces and up to 50% off on selected items. We will run this sale through our closing. If you’ve had your eye on something, now is the time!
We truly thank and appreciate all of the people that have supported the gallery and our artists with a purchase of art!
Urban Woman and I have enjoyed Pivot Point Gallery from its opening night nearly three years ago and have enjoyed our friendship with owners Don and Faith. We’ve made multiple purchases of art from the gallery and have seen it as a unique gallery in the downtown area. It offered fine art and offered it across a wide range of prices. They also supported local artists, many of whom do not have gallery representation elsewhere. It’s a loss and I’m not sure when we’ll see another gallery like it. It may be another in a string of businesses I could name that simply came too early.
It’s also a loss for Emory Place. Once largely forgotten, Crafty Bastard, St. Lucille’s, French Fried Vintage, Design A.F., and Lilienthal Gallery, along with Pivot Point have made it a destination. Here’s hoping for something wonderful to come in its place and for continued momentum for the location.
And it’s a reminder: If you want it, support it.