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

[Ace]

Sears on Central Avenue. When I was a kid you could smell roasted peanuts and cashews when you walked in the building. They sold fresh candy and nuts by the pound. My mom bought me a lot of Toughskin jeans there.

 

[kiddiedoc]

I'm sure it was mentioned somewhere in the other 338 posts but how many of you remember Service Merchandise?

Ha, I bought a ring there for my first girlfriend. I believe it was $49.

 

[yoyoyoyo]

We had a Kenny Roger's roasters. I liked that place.

https://media2.giphy.com/media/lmBV7ec6jRIPK/200w.gif

 

[Nerd-Vol]

https://media2.giphy.com/media/lmBV7ec6jRIPK/200w.gif

Haha!

 

[Coug]

I'm dating myself here but does anyone remember the old wooden bridge that crossed over the railroad tracks up the road from 84 lumber? I believe it was Amherst or Piney Grove Church? That thing was always a trip driving over it because you never knew when it was going to collapse.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I'm dating myself here but does anyone remember the old wooden bridge that crossed over the railroad tracks up the road from 84 lumber? I believe it was Amherst or Piney Grove Church? That thing was always a trip driving over it because you never knew when it was going to collapse.

I never thought of it as unstable, but it was only one lane. You had to make sure a car wasn't already on it before crossing. And it was Amherst. At the little store... which seemed as if it might collapse.

 

[Coug]

I never thought of it as unstable, but it was only one lane. You had to make sure a car wasn't already on it before crossing. And it was Amherst. At the little store... which seemed as if it might collapse.

It was mostly just the fact that it was a narrow, wooden bridge so you always had to wonder just how long will it last and what exactly can it support I guess. I was much younger too so I'm sure that was a factor in my perception.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

It was mostly just the fact that it was a narrow, wooden bridge so you always had to wonder just how long will it last and what exactly can it support I guess. I was much younger too so I'm sure that was a factor in my perception.

It made a lot of noise crossing it.

 

[vol_in_ar]

Vol in bham
Mentioned it there was a little grocery store there that had great hot dogs

I had Boy Scout meetings at a house across from those railroad tracks from the market for about a year in elementary school

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

There was a basketball court across from the church that I played a few games on.

 

[Coug]

It made a lot of noise crossing it.

Yes sir! That I remember because we used to roll down the windows crossing it. Good times!

 

[82_VOL_83]

Quarters on 17th.

 

[pismonque]

It was mostly just the fact that it was a narrow, wooden bridge so you always had to wonder just how long will it last and what exactly can it support I guess. I was much younger too so I'm sure that was a factor in my perception.

Speaking of narrow bridges, how about the old Buck Karnes bridge on Alcoa Hwy? I don't think there was such a thing as driving over that bridge calmly.

 

[MAD]

Speaking of narrow bridges, how about the old Buck Karnes bridge on Alcoa Hwy? I don't think there was such a thing as driving over that bridge calmly.

I don't rember it being that narrow.

 

[pismonque]

I don't rember it being that narrow.

Yeah, it was four lanes (two each direction) crammed in, people driving 50+ with nothing separating the opposing lanes but a double stripe. During high traffic times it was a wonder more rearview mirrors didn't get jousted off.

 

[Coug]

Speaking of narrow bridges, how about the old Buck Karnes bridge on Alcoa Hwy? I don't think there was such a thing as driving over that bridge calmly.

I'm not familiar with that one but true story the railroad underpass in Karns is still one car only and I believe the Maloney Road one is too.

 

[MAD]

Speaking of narrow bridges, how about the old Buck Karnes bridge on Alcoa Hwy? I don't think there was such a thing as driving over that bridge calmly.

Here is a picture. I think it is the right one. Not sure when it was torn down, but this was what we crossed every time we went to the airport.

View attachment 122760

 

[pismonque]

Here is a picture. I think it is the right one. Not sure when it was torn down, but this was what we crossed every time we went to the airport.

That's the one. Way more character than the bland TDOT standard issue that replaced it but it had to happen. No way to widen those old steel truss bridges. I think it must have been the early to mid 90s when it was replaced.

I seem to remember it having steel open-grate decking too. Maybe someone can confirm that. My memory ain't worth diddly anymore.

 

[MAD]

That's the one. Way more character than the bland TDOT standard issue that replaced it but it had to happen. No way to widen those old steel truss bridges. I think it must have been the early to mid 90s when it was replaced.

I seem to remember it having steel open-grate decking too. Maybe someone can confirm that. My memory ain't worth diddly anymore.

Yes, I think you are correct.

 

[GreveHaller]

Quarters on 17th.

seen it lately? its some kind of second hand clothing store. sad.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I bought several pair of shoes at some place out west about 15 years ago. It was driving me nuts trying to remember where. Just For Feet (there was another next to East Towne Mall). Just across Parkside from Home Depot. Looks like Ferguson is in the building now.

I haven't seen it yet, but apparently there's a car dealer going in just west of McKay's on Papermill Road. It's been a hot tub place... John Banks Buick before that. It's gone full circle.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Pizza Kitchen on Northshore. I probably drove them out of business by destroying their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I bought several pair of shoes at some place out west about 15 years ago. It was driving me nuts trying to remember where. Just For Feet (there was another next to East Towne Mall). Just across Parkside from Home Depot. Looks like Ferguson is in the building now.

I haven't seen it yet, but apparently there's a car dealer going in just west of McKay's on Papermill Road. It's been a hot tub place... John Banks Buick before that. It's gone full circle.

The hot tub place was Campbell's pool and spa. They've moved to a new location off Middlebrook.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

The hot tub place was Campbell's pool and spa. They've moved to a new location off Middlebrook.

Yea, I think that place had a for sale sign on it. They probably couldn't work out a lease renewal or purchase price.

That lot where the Quarterback was located has been vacant for a long time.

It was weird that they tore down the Waffle House and built another one right on the same spot.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Now that I think about it, there was a gas station (Direct?) between the original Waffle House and the intersection. The new WH must be a whole lot bigger.