Gone but not forgotten: Knoxville area restaurants and retailers we miss.

[MAD]

You know the sad thing is, like my Dad said "You can never go back". And through the years I have seen that even if you do go back, it's never the same, different people, different era, time never stands still . I went to West Town Mall the other day....and it's like yes it is the same location, but will never be the same as when I played pinball there.....
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I didn’t even recognize which entrance that is. I think that’s maybe the Morrell Rd Entrance where Morrison’s Cafeteria was located. Such true words, you can never go back even if you physically go back. Thanks for sharing the photo and your post.

 

[Vjcvette]

I didn’t even recognize which entrance that is. I think that’s maybe the Morrell Rd Entrance where Morrison’s Cafeteria was located. Such true words, you can never go back even if you physically go back. Thanks for sharing the photo and your post.

Yes Sir, you are so welcome, and yes it is the Morrell Rd Enterance and it was a whole nother world back when I used to play pinball in there.

 

[Ted]

Vette, West Town is completely different than we remember it in the 70's and 80's, I agree. Wow. At least it's still there., unlike East Towne Mall. The Amazon distribution unit there is still not operating, after two years. It's ridiculous that Knox County went along with that redevelopment! All you can say is that Knoxville and Knox County have poor government right now. They are NOT looking out for the best interest of our area long-term, and that's what we pay these people to do. The developers apparently pay them more. "At least West Town Mall is still there." to self-quote.

I'm with you, I do miss West Town the way it was, very much so.

 

[Ted]

Italian market and grill in cedar bluff was great. Have no idea if it's still there.

Long gone, alas.

 

[1 in 102 455]

Wife and I had 2nd date there over 25 years ago.

My now wife and I made it a regular date spot while I was in school. They had a lasagna special on I think Tuesday nights. It was maybe $7 if I remember correctly. I’d get the traditional and she’d get the spinach. Best lasagna.

 

[OllVol]

Right and it is so hard to imagine now. Even in the late eighties when I had surgery I smoked in the hospital and at my desk when I sold furniture back then. People smoked in movie theaters and everywhere.

My dentist smoked cigars. He'd work a little, then smoke, wash his hands and go back at it.

 

[Vjcvette]

My dentist smoked cigars. He'd work a little, then smoke, wash his hands and go back at it.

That's too funny, but true I know and hard to even imagine it now unless you actually experienced it and lived it

 

[Ted]

I don't remember seeing this site posted in GBNF previously:

Knoxville Then and Now

Knoxville, Tennessee – Then and Now This page is a collection of vintage postcards of Knoxville and how those places look today.

www.swankpad.org

Some of you may have seen the Swank Pad site before. The Then and Now section has lots of photos, mostly postcard pictures, of old hotels, motels and tourist courts from the 50's and 60's. Go see it!

Here's one: The Dwarf Restaurant and Tate Hotel on Clinton Highway. This is up the ridge on the left from the post office. The Dwarf building most recently housed a pawn shop that went out ten or so years ago and is falling to ruin in 2024. One building is left from the Tate Hotel that had a used car dealership years ago. It too is falling in.



Here's another: The Mt. Vernon Motel that was on Kingston Pike. The main building was razed in the late 2010's and a Weigels built on the property.

 

[MAD]

I don't remember seeing this site posted in GBNF previously:

Knoxville Then and Now

Knoxville, Tennessee – Then and Now This page is a collection of vintage postcards of Knoxville and how those places look today.

www.swankpad.org

Some of you may have seen the Swank Pad site before. The Then and Now section has lots of photos, mostly postcard pictures, of old hotels, motels and tourist courts from the 50's and 60's. Go see it!

Here's one: The Dwarf Restaurant and Tate Hotel on Clinton Highway. This is up the ridge on the left from the post office. The Dwarf building most recently housed a pawn shop that went out ten or so years ago and is falling to ruin in 2024. One building is left from the Tate Hotel that had a used car dealership years ago. It too is falling in.

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Here's another: The Mt. Vernon Motel that was on Kingston Pike. The main building was razed in the late 2010's and a Weigels built on the property.

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This is a great find Ted. Thanks for posting.

 

[Ted]

This is a great find Ted. Thanks for posting.

I don't remember how I originally came across The Swank Pad. I think I had done a search on old hotels and restaurants on Clinton Highway, and of course it came right up.

Some of the other content that's on that site is interesting as well.. the info on the 1961 Corvairs, the Tiki restaurant that he went to in Florida growing up, how to enjoy eating and drinking mangos, etc.

Glad you (and others) are enjoying it.

 

[theFallGuy]

RIP Hawkeye's and "Animal Hour"

 

[Ted]

Halls Cinema 7 announced their closure this past Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Knoxville loses another movie theater as Halls Cinema 7 closes its doors

Halls Cinema 7 said revenue did not keep up with the cost of operation, which is part of the reason why the theater closed.

www.wbir.com

Halls Cinema 7 has closed - Knox TN Today

A landmark Halls business is no more. Halls Cinema 7 closed on Feb. 20, 2024, with an announcement on social media. Paul Wylie of Johnson City, Tennessee, bought and operated the theater in 2009. The notice said under his leadership the business has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in...

www.knoxtntoday.com

Home | hallscinema7

www.hallscinema7.net

 

[MAD]

We've lost yet another movie theatre in the Knoxville area. There aren't many left.

Halls Cinema 7 announced their closure this past Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Knoxville loses another movie theater as Halls Cinema 7 closes its doors

Halls Cinema 7 said revenue did not keep up with the cost of operation, which is part of the reason why the theater closed.

www.wbir.com

Halls Cinema 7 has closed - Knox TN Today

A landmark Halls business is no more. Halls Cinema 7 closed on Feb. 20, 2024, with an announcement on social media. Paul Wylie of Johnson City, Tennessee, bought and operated the theater in 2009. The notice said under his leadership the business has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in...

www.knoxtntoday.com

Home | hallscinema7

www.hallscinema7.net

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I’m guilty of not going to the theater to watch movies.

 

[2EastTnVols]

RIP Hawkeye's and "Animal Hour"

Damn I loved Hawkeyes. Their food was really good too. There was also a dive bar in the Fort called Gryphons we used to frequent.

 

[SuzyVol]

Pizza Inn on Kingston Pike, just west of Bearden Hill, if I remember correctly. Late 60's - early 70's.

 

[MAD]

Found some photos online

 

[MAD]

Who remembers when this was the strip?

 

[2EastTnVols]

Found some photos online

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Those pics got me in the feels. Thanks for the memories

 

[Danl]

Pizza Inn on Kingston Pike, just west of Bearden Hill, if I remember correctly. Late 60's - early 70's.

Oh yeah! There was usually a two-for-one pizza coupon in the Friday News-Sentinel and they never carded for beer if you were buying pizzas. Many Friday nights were pizza and beer at Pizza Inn, then stop at Uncle Bob's liquor store on Winston Road near the Mall for apres dinner beers.

 

[MAD]

 

[MAD]

 

[MAD]

 

[MAD]

 

[SuzyVol]

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Rice Olds was still there.

 

[Wireless1]

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Phone booths!