Inside of Knoxville’s 10 Most-Read Stories of 2025

As the year winds down, it’s time for one of our annual rituals: a look back at the 10 most-read Inside of Knoxville stories of 2025.

With more than 300 stories published each year, it’s easy to miss a few. These 10 weren’t among them. I think it’s worth noting that more than half involved business closures, including the top story of the year, “Sweet P’s Downtown Dive to Close.”

Closures remain perennial lightning rods. Downtown businesses are stitched into our routines and memories, and their disappearance lands with weight. Thinking about restaurants, bars and coffeeshops: downtown, we bid farewell to Babalu, El Tarasco, Frothy Monkey, Pasta Vivo, Petro’s Chili & Chips, The Lunchbox and Sweet P’s Downtown Dive; on the south side, Amaryllis Taqueria, Burger Boys, Crafty Bastard Brewery, Landing House and South Press Café. Golden Roast on the Strip was the end of an era. Other notable downtown or downtown-ish business closures included Fizz, Pivot Point Gallery, Holistic Connections, Smoky Mountain Munchies, Valley Medical Clinic Downtown, Fruit Jar Alley, Field House Social and The Donut Shop. Two salons, Lox and Tree of Life, moved away from downtown. Paris Woodhull Illustrations and RALA closed their brick-and-mortars to focus elsewhere. I am sure I’ve left some businesses out, erroneously included some that were late 2024, and will regret attempting this paragraph tomorrow.

Not all closures are created equal. Some are the result of real hardship. Others are thoughtful endings — businesses choosing to close because it was simply time. It’s always a good reminder, though, to support the businesses you wish to see survive and thrive. And it’s not all gloom and doom; we’ve had some exciting new businesses open up shop this year as well and there’s lots to look forward to in 2026. Still, business churn is always worth studying: what thrives, what doesn’t, and what that says about the future we’re collectively creating.

Before we dive in, a sincere thank you. In 2025, Inside of Knoxville logged about 1.1 million page views and nearly 500,000 unique visitors. That we’re able to exist sans paywall is possible only because of our advertisers and generous donors who believe in keeping this site free and accessible.

I’m deeply grateful to our core team of Alan, Heather, Keith and tireless 10-Day Planner editor Scott as well as the voices of contributors (like #3’s author, Jack Coker!). I thank the stars every day for Alan’s mentorship and trust during this year’s transition. And to our readers: your support has meant everything to me. Caring for this site is the honor of my lifetime.

Now, on to the stories Knoxville couldn’t stop reading in 2025.

#10. You Don’t Have to Break the Law Anymore to Swim at Augusta Quarry by Leslie Bateman (July 3, 2025) – 5,036 views, 4 comments

You Don’t Have to Break the Law Anymore to Swim at Augusta Quarry

#9. Three Businesses Close by Alan Sims (April 22, 2025) – 5,527 views, 5 comments

Three Businesses Close

#8. Love Letter to a Petro: Market Square Locations Closes by Leslie Bateman (Nov. 12, 2025) – 6,010 views, 16 comments

Love Letter to a Petro: Market Square Location Closing on Friday + Incoming Fashion Retail

#7. Two Closures & an Opening by Alan Sims (Jan. 8, 2025) – 6,038 views, 7 comments

Two Closures and an Opening

#6. Two Openings & a Closure by Alan Sims (Jan. 7, 2025) – 6,392 views, 14 comments

Two Openings and a Closure

#5. Pier 865 Sculpture Unfenced & Unveiled with Little Fanfare: What to Make of It?  by Alan Sims (April 21, 2025) – 6,573 views, 34 comments

Pier 865 Sculpture Unfenced and Unveiled with Little Fanfare: What to Make of It?

#4. Three Downtown Businesses Closing Brick & Mortar to Focus Elsewhere by Alan Sims (Dec. 4, 2025) – 7,108 views, 5 comments 

Three Downtown Businesses Closing Brick & Mortar to Focus Elsewhere

#3. It’s Time to Bring Passenger Rail Back to East Tennessee by Jack Coker (Sept. 25, 2025) – 8,065 views, 39 comments

It’s Time to Bring Passenger Rail Back to East Tennessee

#2. Bridges as Battlegrounds: An Update on Gay Street + Bike Lane Sabotage on Henley by Leslie Bateman (Aug. 18, 2025) – 8,224 view, 70 comments

Bridges as Battlegrounds: An Update on Gay Street + Bike Lane Sabotage on Henley

#1. Sweet P’s Downtown Dive to Close by Alan Sims (May 29, 2025) – 8,436 views, 14 comments

Sweet P’s Downtown Dive to Close