It has been over two years since I last provided an update from Marble City Market)(MCM). There is new management (again) and almost all new vendors (the changes make my head spin), but the Smokies Stadium is open, and MCM is moving forward successfully once again.
I spoke with Andrew Wolfe, who is the General Manager at Bridgewater Place, which manages Regas Square Events, Hospitality Collective, and since July 2023, Marble City Market. Andrew tells me that anyone who hasn’t been inside in a while will experience a completely different food hall. With local management now in charge and doing this work for many years, he believes you will feel the difference when you walk in. The management knows Knoxville and feels they are meeting the community’s expectations. The price point of the vendors is something they feel good about, though it should be noted that the price point does vary according to vendor. The variety of vendors and cuisine is impressive. Where else can you find Venezuelan, Afghan, American, Japanese, smoothies and ice cream all in one space? Of the vendor owners, Andrew says, “They are all local, great people who are fun and gracious and offer a vast array of eclectic offerings.”
Here’s what’s new:
There are more couches for cozy seating near the bar, with still plenty of high and low top tables. Green turf on the outdoor patio, which they tout as Knoxville’s largest outdoor patio, creates a softer and more inviting space.
Frank and George’s Bar has had a 100% overhaul in menu and direction, though the classic appearance of the space is much the same. They are proud of the progressive non-alcoholic menu items for those who are cutting back or are sober, and the cocktail menu is all new for those who want to imbibe. They host Happy Hour M-F 3-6 with specials at the bar.
MCM also plans to have fountain drink booths in the middle section of the food hall. Though this was not open when I went through, it may be now. Have you seen it?
Local restaurateur, Syrian refugee, and now mentor Yassin Terou has invested in three businesses housed in the market through his nonprofit Seeds and Bridges. One of those I wrote about in Feb 2024 is Rom’s House. The others are:
Cravin’ Carvin’s House: Burgers and Philly’s, where you can get a $10 slider and fries meal, and Y’all Pizza, which Rom also runs alongside Rom’s House.
“We’re your local Sushi and Poke haven, and we’re grateful you chose us. From classic sushi to innovative sushi burritos, we craft culinary artistry with the freshest ingredients. Our sushi-grade fish ensures every bite is extraordinary. Whether near or far, our goal is to make you feel like family at BENGY.“
I had a wonderful meal at the S.E.A. Ramen and Asian Kitchen when I stopped in for lunch and to see what was new. The owner guided me through her menu, and I tried the Fried Ramen with chicken and a tiny bit of spice. It was sweet, savory and tasty!
” Hot Birds specializes in Nashville-style chicken sandwiches. We brought our secret blend of spices to Real Good Kitchen in November 2024 and started selling out on our limited quantity chicken sandwiches. Fast forward to June 2024, and we were ready to reach more customers and provide indoor dining by launching the brand at Marble City and officially moved from Real Good Kitchen.“ They also offer plain tenders for kids or adults who need a chicken fix but don’t like spice.
Dogout is where you can find hot dogs and street tacos.
HACHIBAN (Habachi, Bao and More): a Japanese and Taiwanese-style Hibachi kitchen.
Creamy Cane’s ice cream shop is also now open in the space that used to house Hot Shots Coffee. If you’re looking for a quick treat for the family with a great selection of toppings and a family-friendly price point, perfect for warmer weather to come, Creamy’s Cane’s is for you. You can use the 15 minute parking out front and stop in to satisfy your sweet tooth on the go. They were not open when I was there and do not yet have a presence on the website, but Andrew tells me they are also a local company created and managed by local Knoxvillians.
What’s Not New(but that’s not bad!):
Algo Deli and Coach Cre’s Just Juice, along with Rom’s House, have weathered the storm to be the three businesses that have thrived the longest at the market and are still going strong.
Sadly, Kiaga’s Kitchen and Pasta Vivo have left the building.
Many vendors can still be ordered and delivered to your home or office through Uber Eats.
They still have some work to do to encourage lunchtime crowds. While the lack of a queue was nice and allowed me to ask more questions than I might normally, I hope the evening and weekend crowds are stronger.
The event coordinator, Chloe Harrison, is working hard to bring fun and interesting things to the market to entice new visitors. They have continued to host trivia nights, vendor markets, and live music every Friday night, but have increased the frequency and variety of their offerings. See the upcoming events HERE. You can reserve the space for special events or pop-ups. Pets are welcome on the outdoor patio, but only certified service animals are allowed indoors due to health code regulations. 
I’d say it’s definitely worth another look-see for those who haven’t been in a while. Which of these food stalls have you tried?