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

[1972 Grad]

We built our dream house (one of the first few built) in what later became possibly the most expensive neighborhood in our town, and lived there for 10 years. People started moving in that I didn't want to live around, so we sold it, and moved to a very middle class working neighborhood.

We found out that we didn't like living around snooty people in a snooty neighborhood. When we were out there almost by ourselves, it was a fantastic place. The neighbors make the neighborhood, not the big houses. We are much happier here in a house half the size, and less than half the price.

Not racial. I didn't want anyone to misunderstand. Everybody was white.

 

[VolAllen]

I was harsh and I should’nt have directed it at Powell. Powell was fine and it was nice, good shopping and all that. The issue was with halls. Neither me nor my girlfriend, felt like it would be a place we would be welcome.

I don't really know much about Halls. I bet I haven't been through there but maybe 4 or 5 times lol. Is it bad?

 

[Nerd-Vol]

We built our dream house (one of the first few built) in what later became possibly the most expensive neighborhood in our town, and lived there for 10 years. People started moving in that I didn't want to live around, so we sold it, and moved to a very middle class working neighborhood.

We found out that we didn't like living around snooty people in a snooty neighborhood. When we were out there almost by ourselves, it was a fantastic place. The neighbors make the neighborhood, not the big houses. We are much happier here in a house half the size, and less than half the price.

I completely understand. It’s all about who you’re with, not necessarily the income level.

 

[kiddiedoc]

We built our dream house (one of the first few built) in what later became possibly the most expensive neighborhood in our town, and lived there for 10 years. People started moving in that I didn't want to live around, so we sold it, and moved to a very middle class working neighborhood.

We found out that we didn't like living around snooty people in a snooty neighborhood. When we were out there almost by ourselves, it was a fantastic place. The neighbors make the neighborhood, not the big houses. We are much happier here in a house half the size, and less than half the price.

Funny, but I could have typed almost the exact story. We were able to get away from that crowd and into a great house, just a shade smaller, in the same school district for about half of what we sold our "dream house" for. A little basement and kitchen reno later, and I hardly miss anything about the old place but the view (which is as good as it gets in Farragut).

We now have an easy payment with plans to be debt-free in five years, awesome neighbors and plenty of kids to play with, and a lot less stress.

 

[Coug]

Haha, I think you missed my joke :wink:

I did initially, now I'm thinking to myself "oh lawd!"

 

[davethevol]

I don't really know much about Halls. I bet I haven't been through there but maybe 4 or 5 times lol. Is it bad?

It’s got some red neck elements, but it’s probably one of the safest areas of Knoxville.

 

[Boca Vol]

The only thing I remember about Halls are the "Halls Has It" signs from their state championship football team in the late 80's.

 

[SmokyRiverDog]

What’d be great is if they built the new Coliseum across the Henley bridge on the water in South Knox. In order for the city to really grow, business is going to have to jump the Tennessee River. Develop more shopping, dining, and loft buildings over there surrounding it and watch it just boom.

I think a sports/entertainment complex on the Randy Boyd properly near the old Lay's meat plant with a coliseum and Smokies stadium is more likely. I am seriously curious why there is such a delay in announcing what is going on with the Coliseum decision. There has to be a bigger story in the background, because it seemed like a decision was imminent, whether it was yes or no on the chosen pathway.

 

[SmokyRiverDog]

The Coliseum seats over 6,000. The capacity for concerts is several thousand more than that. The record attendance was either 10,000 or 13,000... Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels Band, and the Outlaws around 1977. The Fire Marshall stepped in afterwards and placed a limit of several thousand below that record.

Capacity is 7141 with every municipal folding chair in full use. I dont think the folding chair model is acceptable. They need 8 or 9 thousand arena seats or suite seats. That type of seating is 5000 in the Coliseum, and some of those (maybe 800 or so) are obstructed view. I dont think 70 year old wooden seats drive the mid-size show market. Its been stated during the decision process that they cannot obtain many shows at the coliseum because of seating capacity. Add that on top of asthetics, and you have an issue to review if you want to have that typical municipal feature that most city evaluators desire as an attractive amenity.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Capacity is 7141 with every municipal folding chair in full use. I dont think the folding chair model is acceptable. They need 8 or 9 thousand arena seats or suite seats. That type of seating is 5000 in the Coliseum, and some of those (maybe 800 or so) are obstructed view. I dont think 70 year old wooden seats drive the mid-size show market. Its been stated during the decision process that they cannot obtain many shows at the coliseum because of seating capacity. Add that on top of asthetics, and you have an issue to review if you want to have that typical municipal feature that most city evaluators desire as an attractive amenity.

Seating capacity is different from capacity. Festival seating adds thousands over folding chairs on the floor.

 

[DrRosenRosen]

Seating capacity is different from capacity. Festival seating adds thousands over folding chairs on the floor.

GA appears to be less than a thousand over seated capacity at the Coliseum.

 

[VolAllen]

I think a sports/entertainment complex on the Randy Boyd properly near the old Lay's meat plant with a coliseum and Smokies stadium is more likely. I am seriously curious why there is such a delay in announcing what is going on with the Coliseum decision. There has to be a bigger story in the background, because it seemed like a decision was imminent, whether it was yes or no on the chosen pathway.

I’m not even sure where that is.

 

[WallyBalls]

Man this is the part of gentrification that makes me feel uncomfortable. Essentially kick out the lower class by jacking up rent and property prices. So just shove them off to some other area deemed undesirable.

Kinda makes me just want them to leave the south side like it is and let the west have the stuff.

It’s part of the reason I love living on the south side. It’s safe enough. I can afford it. It’s blue collar people. I have everything I need, and I don’t feel like I’m trying to keep up with the Jones’s. I remember growing up on the west side(1994-2005) and it has a superficial feel. Having the biggest house, fanciest car, sending your kids to the fanciest private school. Out on the south side, I don’t worry about that, we’re just trying to work, go home, and shop at the Kroger.

Well said, and 100% agree.

The idea to just push out the current residents and toss up the usual “shopping districts” and yuppie box lofts/condos seems dim and stuck in the late 90s/early 2000s. I loathe that approach. (Its a similar mentality to the one that’s turned Hardin Valley into a borderline eyesore).

Rather than bulldoze and rebuild new the south side, I’d be interested to see an approach where existing homes are renovated/updated at a more reasonable, natural pace as people migrate back toward the city. Seems like a smarter approach with a lot of people downsizing or never even looking into the typical McMansion.

 

[Orangeredblooded]

View attachment 118483

And George being bRhondda the bar at Sam and Andy's,

 

[SmokyRiverDog]

I’m not even sure where that is.

Around fringe of the Old City.

 

[zidanefan]

Was reading the Ruby Tuesday thread and it brought back a lot of memories so thought it would be fun to start a thread listing places that have closed that we miss and might have some cool nostalgic stories you want to share.

I then ended up coming to UT as a transfer in 2001 and stayed on the 8th floor of Clement that first semester. My first night at school I walked down to Ruby Tuesday on the strip (it’s a Chipotle now) and ate there alone.

Anyone remember Little Star Restaurant in Bearden? This was mid-2000’s so not that long ago.

 

[NEVolFan]

Reading these posts makes me think that K-town has had a full turn over of businesses in the past 30 years.

I used to golf a lot and played so many different courses around the area... wondering if Dead Horse is still open?

 

[zidanefan]

Reading these posts makes me think that K-town has had a full turn over of businesses in the past 30 years.

I used to golf a lot and played so many different courses around the area... wondering if Dead Horse is still open?

I think so. Dead Horse, Knoxville Municipal, and Pine Lakes were the courses we’d hit when I was in school. And Igauni (so?) Farms in Maryville, on occasion.

 

[Boca Vol]

I then ended up coming to UT as a transfer in 2001 and stayed on the 8th floor of Clement that first semester. My first night at school I walked down to Ruby Tuesday on the strip (it’s a Chipotle now) and ate there alone.

Anyone remember Little Star Restaurant in Bearden? This was mid-2000’s so not that long ago.

The 1st part of your post is just sad.

Regarding the 2nd part, is that the Indian restaurant near the corner of Kingston Pike and Northshore?

 

[WallyBalls]

I think so. Dead Horse, Knoxville Municipal, and Pine Lakes were the courses we’d hit when I was in school. And Igauni (so?) Farms in Maryville, on occasion.

Yeah, Dead Horse is still chugging along.

 

[CLCVol]

Reading these posts makes me think that K-town has had a full turn over of businesses in the past 30 years.

I used to golf a lot and played so many different courses around the area... wondering if Dead Horse is still open?

Like others have said.. it's still open. Played it last year, and still get monthly emails from them

 

[zidanefan]

The 1st part of your post is just sad.

Regarding the 2nd part, is that the Indian restaurant near the corner of Kingston Pike and Northshore?

Eh, it wasn’t terrible. I wanted to go somewhere I didn’t know anyone. I eventually found people to befriend.

On Little Star, no. The Indian place is Sitar, I think. Little Star was a super upscale place in that little building next to Fisher Tire in Bearden. It became Big Fatties when Little Star shut down. Not sure what it is now.

My wife managed the front of the house there in 2004, maybe, while I was finishing school. It was really cool, NYC style fine dining. Food was phenomenal.

 

[Boca Vol]

Eh, it wasn’t terrible. I wanted to go somewhere I didn’t know anyone. I eventually found people to befriend.

On Little Star, no. The Indian place is Sitar, I think. Little Star was a super upscale place in that little building next to Fisher Tire in Bearden. It became Big Fatties when Little Star shut down. Not sure what it is now.

My wife managed the front of the house there in 2004, maybe, while I was finishing school. It was really cool, NYC style fine dining. Food was phenomenal.

Gotcha. I know the area you're talking about. I think that used to be (or still may be) a catering business.

 

[Boca Vol]

Since Service Merchandise has been brought up several times I want to share a story from a buddy of mine. He worked there around '80-'81 when they sold everything including adult toys. He was working in the warehouse area and filled orders.

One day an order for a vibrator came through. He took it out of the box, put the batteries in it, turned it on, and sent it down the conveyor belt. The customer wasn't too happy to receive her order buzzing.

 

[pismonque]

Since Service Merchandise has been brought up several times I want to share a story from a buddy of mine. He worked there around '80-'81 when they sold everything including adult toys. He was working in the warehouse area and filled orders.

One day an order for a vibrator came through. He took it out of the box, put the batteries in it, turned it on, and sent it down the conveyor belt. The customer wasn't too happy to receive her order buzzing.

She probably was even less happy that some stockroom schlub had his grubby hands on the damn thing.