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

[Volwark]

That was Hill’s.

Ah Hill's. That was the one that was just on the tip of my tongue. I remember a lot of toy shopping there too.

 

[Nerd-Vol]

I didn't know they still had operating Kay's locations. I thought it is now a Food City brand, like Valleydale Meats and Moore's Potato Chips.

The final location was in Chapman. They had burgers and fries and other stuff. Their last day was 12/31/17.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I remember this one, vividly, but props to anybody who knows the name, because I can not recall for the life of me.

Sturm's Youth World I believe.

 

[NEVolFan]

You were perfectly in the right to smash his head on the grill and sear his ear.

I'm pretty sure it was clearly written on the rules board by the front door.

Dang it... I missed that sign. I will admit I was ready to go... had one of those moments where you get that rapid rush and spike in adrenaline... but those feelings subsided quickly. Betting there have been some interesting discussions at those types of joints.

 

[MAD]

Sturm's Youth World I believe.

You know, I think you are right it was Sturm's Youth World, good memory.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

You know, I think you are right it was Sturm's Youth World, good memory.

But I don't recall their previous location. Western Plaza possibly?

 

[NEVolFan]

Here's one... in Powell, called Hamers. Was a thrift type store... locals called it going to Macy's when they shopped there. Could be still there not sure.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Here's one... in Powell, called Hamers. Was a thrift type store... locals called it going to Macy's when they shopped there. Could be still there not sure.

Helen Hammer used to do the TV spots. Reminded me of the Wendy's Where's the Beef? Lady. Original store is/was in Clinton iirc.

 

[MAD]

Helen Hammer used to do the TV spots. Reminded me of the Wendy's Where's the Beef? Lady. Original store is/was in Clinton iirc.

You could write a book on the history of this area.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

You could write a book on the history of this area.

Helen Hammer is a Knoxville advertising icon. Mad Jack Fielden comes to mind. Cas Walker. Jim Clayton. They're all the genuine deal... nothing like fake Farmer Charlie who was created by a local advertising agency.

Big Jim Hess (noooo body)

Ron Wright (more of a promoter than an advertising icon)... a Knoxville legend none the less.

 

[Ace]

Hammer's is still open: I always go to the Clinton store when I am in East Tennessee
Locations
• Clinton, TN
• Knoxville, TN
• Oneonta, TN
• Sevierville, TN
• South Pittsburg, TN
• Wartburg, TN
• Winchester, TN
• Fort Payne, AL
• Scottsboro, AL

As Helen Hammers says, "You haven't been to Clinton, if you haven't been to Hammers."

 

[NEVolFan]

Hammer's is still open: I always go to the Clinton store when I am in East Tennessee
Locations
• Clinton, TN
• Knoxville, TN
• Oneonta, TN
• Sevierville, TN
• South Pittsburg, TN
• Wartburg, TN
• Winchester, TN
• Fort Payne, AL
• Scottsboro, AL

As Helen Hammers says, "You haven't been to Clinton, if you haven't been to Hammers."

Now that is what you call resilient!

In-laws made a big deal out a trip there... (yeah it was Clinton).

 

[Ace]

Helen Hammer is a Knoxville advertising icon. Mad Jack Fielden comes to mind. Cas Walker. Jim Clayton. They're all the genuine deal... nothing like fake Farmer Charlie who was created by a local advertising agency.

Big Jim Hess (noooo body)

Ron Wright (more of a promoter than an advertising icon)... a Knoxville legend none the less.

Mad Jack had Big John Tate at his store and on his commercials he had a little person named PR Pewing (JR Ewing).

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Mad Jack had Big John Tate at his store and on his commercials he had a little person named PR Pewing (JR Ewing).

I wonder how much Big John was paid for that? I know somebody that was rear ended by Tate. Big John ran away on foot. That guy was a mess... had to have been considerable brain trauma for somebody to be that messed up. Either that or drugs and alcohol turned it to mush. What a tragic story.

 

[Ace]

I wonder how much Big John was paid for that? I know somebody that was rear ended by Tate. Big John ran away on foot. That guy was a mess... had to have been considerable brain trauma for somebody to be that messed up. Either that or drugs and alcohol turned it to mush. What a tragic story.

I read an article that said Big John weighed 17 lbs at birth. No wonder they called him Big John

 

[NEVolFan]

I read an article that said Big John weighed 17 lbs at birth. No wonder they called him Big John

I used to be a member of Court South and once Big John showed up and did a workout... he was still boxing but close to the end of his career.

 

[malinoisvol]

There used to be a place on Clinton Hwy in Powell that served some of the best ice cream, homemade, if I remember correctly.

It was a converted barn located across Clinton Hwy from Emory Rd. It sat right beside Beaver Creek. Went out of business around 1970(?) and became the Yarn Barn before it was leveled.

Anyone else remember this place?

 

[MR_VOL]

Helen Hammer is a Knoxville advertising icon. Mad Jack Fielden comes to mind. Cas Walker. Jim Clayton. They're all the genuine deal... nothing like fake Farmer Charlie who was created by a local advertising agency.

Big Jim Hess (noooo body)

Ron Wright (more of a promoter than an advertising icon)... a Knoxville legend none the less.

Damn, I remember every one of them. I loved rasslin' as a kid and can remember Big Jim calling matches and saying "he's got him in a warp-your-head-off-hold" or a stomach punch was called a "bread-basket" punch. I won't even get started on Ron Wright.

 

[MR_VOL]

Mad Jack had Big John Tate at his store and on his commercials he had a little person named PR Pewing (JR Ewing).

If I'm not mistaking, PR Pewing's real name was Percy ??? (I can't remember his last name). I had just gotten into the convenient store business and from time to time he would stop at my store. One day I noticed how much of a process it was for him to climb out of his car, pump gas, walk into the store, request help for getting a soda, pay, walk back out, and climb back into his car.....he drove a Honda car modified (seat, pedals, and gear shifter) to fit his body. From that day forward, if I was at the store, I would always go pump his gas and see if he needed anything. He was a very nice man.

 

[Coug]

"If you haven't been to Hammers, you should see us now"

Pretty sure I heard that the other day.

 

[DrRosenRosen]

Anybody remember that old go kart place near Cedar Bluff? It was built in the old Kroger.

 

[WallyBalls]

Anybody remember that old go kart place near Cedar Bluff? It was built in the old Kroger.

Well played.

 

[Boca Vol]

Anybody remember that old go kart place near Cedar Bluff? It was built in the old Kroger.

Were there bumper boats and batting cages as well?

 

[Boca Vol]

Staying in the Cedar Bluff area what was the huge sports bar in that shopping center?

Also, anyone remember Julio's Between the Buns? We used to watch NFL football there every Sunday back in the mid 90's.

 

[Nerd-Vol]

Staying in the Cedar Bluff area what was the huge sports bar in that shopping center?

Also, anyone remember Julio's Between the Buns? We used to watch NFL football there every Sunday back in the mid 90's.

Baileys?


Remember bob Evans?