Compiled by Leslie Bateman, K.W. Leonard and Heather Ryerson
On Sunday afternoon, at a proper-fancy downtown party to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Inside of Knoxville, Alan Sims—aka Urban Guy—stood up and shared some big news: he’s retiring.
The packed Arcade Building responded first with gasps, then (after Alan reassured everyone that IOK isn’t going anywhere) with thunderous applause. And rightly so. For a decade and a half, Alan has been a steady, trusted presence, chronicling the people, places and stories that make this city tick.
Following his announcement, City of Knoxville Senior Communications Manager Paige Travis surprised Alan with this proclamation:
But wait, Alan, we’re not done honoring you yet …
What follows is a very small sampling of reflections from our editorial team and members of the community who’ve felt Alan’s outsized impact.
Leslie Wylie Bateman, (incoming!) IOK publisher and editor: Alan has spent the last 15 years showing up for this city—quietly, consistently, every day. His work helped knit together a community of readers who care about where we live, what we build, and who we become. Roaming downtown with his DSLR and Moleskine, he’s captured not just what’s happening but why it matters.
In a time when local journalism is vanishing at an alarming rate, the fact that Inside of Knoxville has made it this far is pretty miraculous. A one-man newsroom that’s lasted 15 years? That’s rare. A community so passionate that they still read it every day? Rarer still. I’m deeply honored to pick up the thread and keep it going.
Heather Ryerson, IOK writer: Moving to Knoxville in the spring of 2020 was scary. Not because of Knoxville, but because we were moving to a new city in the middle of a global pandemic. There was chaos and lots of uncertainty. The city we were so excited to move to was now a shell of what we believed we were getting. Enter Alan Sims and Inside of Knoxville. I religiously read his updates on the city and the pandemic numbers locally and could tell he was a trusted source of no-nonsense information. As the pandemic eased and life began again, I kept following Inside of Knoxville daily. I like to say I’m nosy, but I’m genuinely curious about all things Knoxville, its history, its present and its future, and Urban Guy’s coverage of all those things helped me get to know this new city of mine. In the summer of 2022, I saw that there was a walking history tour downtown led by none other than Urban Guy himself. I put myself on that tour and afterwards got the nerve to introduce myself. I told Alan I wanted to do something like what he was doing (writing), but to hear him tell it, I came after his job! Alan took a chance on me, a very green writer with even less published work, and let me deep dive into downtown Knoxville and its story. He mentored me with grace and patience and helped me get better with each article. Through the lens of Inside of Knoxville, I have met countless wonderful humans and gotten to share their passion and love for our fair city. Alan is one of a kind, and I’m forever grateful I get to call him Friend.
Keith (K.W.) Leonard, IOK writer: I clearly remember the day that I figured out who “Urban Guy” was. I had been reading the site to get all my local information and didn’t know that I was working with Urban Guy’s wife the whole time. It clicked with me suddenly, and after a quick U-Turn in the hallway, she verified my suspicions. None of us knew that a few years later he would give me a chance to write for the site.
That experience encapsulates Urban Guy. He just quietly captures the center city of Knoxville. He does the work, and that work is important. I’ve heard this echoed so many times over this past year. I want to congratulate him for what he has built, one keystroke and camera click at a time, and thank him for the space to give voice to local stories. As he enters this next phase, I look forward to reading his continuing stories and seeing him roaming around downtown.
Scott McNutt, IOK calendar editor: I personally owe Alan Sims a great deal. When he hired me in 2017 to compile Inside of Knoxville‘s 10-Day Planner, I was underemployed, and my wife and I were struggling to get by. While I eventually found a good, full-time job in my field, I might not have done so if Alan hadn’t given me a job first. When Alan took a chance and gave me that job, he gave me hope. Thank you for that, Alan; I can never repay you.
As a community, Knoxville owes Alan a great deal. Over the past 15 years, more than simply sharing news about businesses opening and closing, people coming and going, upcoming events, art shows and entertainment, Alan, through his blog, has provided an intelligent, compassionate and humane perspective on our doings—while dealing with critics who did not always share such traits. Balanced and considerate, Alan demonstrated an uncommon restraint in those interactions, showing more politeness and respect than I would have thought possible.
Let us wish Leslie Bateman the highest success in continuing Alan’s work. And while we thank Alan for the rich history he leaves us, we should thank him for his decency, too.
Jenny Boyd, Boyd’s Jig and Reel: Ever since Boyd’s Jig and Reel was opened in 2011, I started reading Alan Sims’ articles and loved his honesty and following of downtown and the Old City, the latter of which is often overlooked. He is my favorite reporter, and I appreciate him so much.
Kim Bumpas, Visit Knoxville: It’s no coincidence that Knoxville has flourished in tandem with Inside of Knoxville. Alan’s contributions to the community are invaluable—from sharing downtown business openings to recaps of some of Knoxville’s favorite annual events—he has consistently provided residents and visitors alike with an insider’s look at our beloved city. Cheers to 15 years, and to many more!
Mary-Pom Claiborne, Knox County Public Library: Big Congrats! You’ve been my daily “go to” forever it seems! Enjoy the downtime and travels. Leslie, big congrats to you as well! You’ve already made your mark. Looking forward to more!
Christine Cloninger, Knox Heritage: Alan has long been a vital voice in our community, keeping so many of us informed and engaged with the events, culture and developments that make Knoxville unique. His deep love for our city comes through in every piece, and his dedication to preserving its character is something we admire, appreciate and applaud.
Alan, you don’t only write stories—you’ve become an essential part of our city’s story. From all of us at Knox Heritage, congratulations to you and the entire Inside of Knoxville team on 15 amazing years!
Kimberly Dixon Hamilton, Downtown Realty: I extend heartfelt congratulations to Alan Sims on his well-deserved retirement. Alan shares my passion for living in the central city, and it’s been wonderful to have continuously supported Inside of Knoxville since 2013. For a decade and a half, Alan has brought us stories of downtown’s residential growth and its flourishing in the culinary, visual and musical arts. Most important, over time his words have painted a beautiful mosaic of downtown’s dynamic and thriving community. I’m just thankful that Alan’s Inside of Knoxville creation will live on in the skilled, thoughtful and experienced hands of Leslie Wylie Bateman, whom I first met more than 20 years ago when she was writing about downtown Knoxville for Knoxville Magazine and Metro Pulse. She’s the perfect person to build on Alan’s legacy.
Becky Hancock, Tennessee Theatre: Congratulations Alan on a well-deserved retirement. You provided a voice and a lens to an area of Knoxville that has experienced so much change over the last 15 years. I wish you and Karen “happy trails” as you travel, and best wishes to Leslie Bateman as she carries the torch forward. I’m sure I’ll see you around.
Robin Easter, Robin Easter Design: It’s amazing the impact Alan Sims has had on downtown Knoxville. I honestly credit him and Inside of Knoxville with helping shape so many of the positive changes we’ve seen over the last 15 years, especially how people see and experience downtown.
When he started the blog, there was nothing else like it. Now, Inside of Knoxville is the first place I check to see what’s happening, whether it’s a new business opening, one closing, or just something interesting going on around town. Alan’s insight and storytelling have become a vital part of the community.
A few years ago, Robin Easter Design had the pleasure of working with Alan on his brand identity and website. It was a joy collaborating with someone who cares so much about Knoxville. His love for our city shines through in everything he does, and we’re so proud to have played a small part in supporting his work.
Alan, while I know you are leaving Inside of Knoxville in good hands, you will be deeply missed. You’ve been such a meaningful presence in this community, and it’s been a pleasure getting to know you over the years. I truly feel like I’ve gained a friend, and I always enjoy running into you around town. Wishing you lots of all the things you love best in this next chapter of your life!
Jesse Fox Mayshark, Compass Knox & The Progressive South: All good journalism starts with curiosity, with wanting to know what’s happening in that building on the corner, or why something you see every day is the way it is. Alan has remained curious about every corner of downtown and the areas surrounding it for 15 years, and his curiosity and interest and careful attention to detail has been a gift to the rest of the community. He has made Inside of Knoxville an invaluable local resource, telling thousands of stories about the people and plans and policies that have shaped the ongoing story of downtown Knoxville in the 21st century. We all know much more about our city than we would without his efforts. Thanks so much for your work, Alan!
Lou Gauci, Louis Emmanuel Gauci Architecture & Design: Alan, 15 years of daily observation, writing and comprehensive reporting in and all around Knoxville. A genuine demonstration of amazing generous community spirit and thoughtful reporting that is exceptionally informative and incisive. You and your team of writers are a Knoxville Treasure! Congrats and Carry On!!
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon: Congratulations to Alan Sims and his team for 15 great years. Inside of Knoxville‘s reporting is essential, insightful and unduplicated. But more than anything else, reading Alan’s blog is fun. It’s clear from Alan’s tender and multi-layered approach to his reporting, photography and writing how much he loves our city and especially downtown. I read every article! Thank you, Alan, for your flair and your keen eye.
Jack Neely, Knoxville History Project: Knoxville should be grateful for Alan Sims and the timing of this Mobile-raised school librarian’s surprising second career. Just as corporate pressures were toppling our once-independent print media, Metro Pulse (2014) and the Mercury (2017), “Inside of Knoxville” had arrived just in time to serve as a safety net, as Alan energetically and thoughtfully covered what had been my favorite beat, complex and ever-changing downtown Knoxville. I’ve gotten to work with Alan some since then, and have always enjoyed his insightful perspective in our many conversations, and feel lucky that I can revisit some of them, thanks to the “Then and Now” conversations recorded and posted online.
Zack Roskop, Knox Brew Hub: As a young small business owner in Knoxville, I felt like if Alan Sims didn’t know I existed, then no one would. His influence, his care and his attention to detail were all so apparent to me in everything he wrote. His love for Knoxville has been a force and power that has constantly reminded me that Knoxville is somewhere special.
Benny Smith, WDVX: I followed Alan’s work closely very early on, as it was personally and professionally very interesting to me. The info was (and still is) so important for us locals to receive, and I had the idea for him to turn his weekly columns, posts and newsletter into a 60-minute radio show. I had no doubt that it could be great radio, would provide the students who would get up that early on a Sunday morning and work some valuable experience, and would provide us locals a credible source of news and info, especially as it pertains to downtown. I had two other goals, though. I wanted the show to help recruit some of these graduating students to consider staying in Knoxville. I also told Alan that I really wanted to help his website get enough traction and clicks that he would have to leave the radio show due to the success of the website, etc. We had a great run with the show, and I can’t thank him enough for making that happen. So happy he is making even bigger and better things happen, now! CHEERS!!
Vance Thompson, Knoxville Jazz Orchestra: Alan Sims is quite simply a Knoxville treasure. By recognizing and telling the stories of the people and places around downtown Knoxville, Alan and his Inside of Knoxville team have played an outsized role in the redevelopment and growth of our fair city. He exemplifies a very special blend of qualities that make him outstanding at his job: curiosity, intelligence, honesty, persistence and humility to name a few. His fact-based, in-depth coverage of all aspects of city life have served as a vital resource for our community for 15 years. It’s hard to imagine this town without him. Happy anniversary, Alan and Inside of Knoxville! Thank you for everything that you’re doing to make Knoxville such a wonderful place to call home!
Scott West, downtown entrepreneur: When I met Alan, many years ago, just as he was planning to start Inside of Knoxville, what I remember most was that he was extremely curious about downtown subjects. I did my best to answer his questions. The queries were pretty easy at first, but over the course of a very short amount of time, they became harder and harder to answer. It was around this time that I realized that Alan now knew more about my own stomping grounds of over 35 years in business (opening and running about 35 businesses, coincidentally enough) than I did.
Nowadays, the information shared between us tends to go one way. I ask and Alan answers. Inside of Knoxville has been a fountain of downtown news for me, and as such I have fanatically read most of Alan’s posts for 15 years (usually at about 1 a.m., which is the time of night when he seems to finish and publish them).
Thanks for all the ideas Mr. Sims! (I wish I could’ve acted on more of the great ones in my short entrepreneurial life.) Best wishes on the next 15 years, Alan, and may your next chapter be as good as your last.
Liza Zenni, Arts & Culture Alliance: I always get a tiny jolt of excitement and anticipation whenever I see an issue of Inside of Knoxville in my inbox. Because the stories are all hyper local, I know what I’ll read has something to do with me and my community. The writing is thoughtful. The perspectives represented nearly always add dimension to my personal observations. And, maybe most important, something about Inside of Knoxville encourages people to engage with one another and express what they think about stuff. Way to go, Inside of Knoxville. Xo”
Thank you for everything, Alan. Readers and supporters, we invite you to add your voice and well-wishes in the comments!