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

[Juanita]

Dan and Gracie's

 

[VolInNorthCack]

That was cool... My mom sent me that the other day.

 

[NEVolFan]

That was cool... My mom sent me that the other day.

Big John Tate... I used to work out at Court South in west Knoxville, and one day John showed up there and did a work out... he was prepping for a fight, forget the year... 81-82 or so.

 

[MAD]

Great Video, enjoyed it.

 

[Juanita]

Wasn't there a bar down on the Strip named "The Strip?" Bartender was really cute.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

Big John Tate... I used to work out at Court South in west Knoxville, and one day John showed up there and did a work out... he was prepping for a fight, forget the year... 81-82 or so.

I met him once at Olympia Athletic Club in Maryville. HE was there doing an interview and then took a bunch of pictures. Crazy... You think the Heavyweight champ would have this huge entourage and be dressed to the nines. It was him and I guess his girlfriend/wife and manager and that was it. He was wearing some old sweats and a t-shirt lol.

 

[NEVolFan]

I met him once at Olympia Athletic Club in Maryville. HE was there doing an interview and then took a bunch of pictures. Crazy... You think the Heavyweight champ would have this huge entourage and be dressed to the nines. It was him and I guess his girlfriend/wife and manager and that was it. He was wearing some old sweats and a t-shirt lol.

When I saw him he was very out of shape... chubby and soft looking. I think we may have been getting ready for an exhibition bout locally.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I knew somebody that was rear ended by Big John driving his girlfriend’s pickup truck. Big John took off on foot. Early 1990s.

 

[Vjcvette]

Dan and Gracie's

I used to go there and I used to have a tee shirt from there , I would go there in
1977 and 1978.

 

[MAD]

 

[TNVOLNAVY]

I saw John twice in my life. First time as heavy weight champ knocked out by Weaver and second time over 10 years later panhandling in downtown Knoxville. Very sad.

 

[Vjcvette]

I saw John twice in my life. First time as heavy weight champ knocked out by Weaver and second time over 10 years later panhandling in downtown Knoxville. Very sad.

Yes, that is so sad

 

[MAD]

Thought this would be a good place to put this….

 

[EasternVol]

Thought this would be a good place to put this….

The arcade, then the Record Bar, then the bookstore.

 

[2EastTnVols]

The arcade, then the Record Bar, then the bookstore.

Gold mine (arcade), Spencer's, Orange Julius on Friday night. Skate Inn Saturday morning

 

[Boca Vol]

Thought this would be a good place to put this….

.Spencer's then the arcade.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

Arcade, Record Bar/Camelot music, KB Toys, Arcade.

 

[MAD]

I remember in the late 70’s we would hang out in the toy store section of JC Pennys and play the different video games they had on display like pong.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

I remember in the late 70’s we would hang out in the toy store section of JC Pennys and play the different video games they had on display like pong.

Oh, I used to do that at Hill's and Service Merchandise, lol. JC Penney and Proffitt's were always too crowded.

 

[2EastTnVols]

Oh, I used to do that at Hill's and Service Merchandise, lol. JC Penney and Proffitt's were always too crowded.

Service merchandise, that place was awesome. Loved the conveyor that brought out the products, so cool.

 

[Boca Vol]

Service merchandise, that place was awesome. Loved the conveyor that brought out the products, so cool.

A good buddy of mine worked there back in the 70's when he was in HS. Back then they sold a few adult toys. Being in HS and seeing an order come through for one of those he took it upon himself to insert the batteries, turn it on and send it down the conveyor belt.

"Mrs. Smith your order is ready."

 

[SDV]

A good buddy of mine worked there back in the 70's when he was in HS. Back then they sold a few adult toys. Being in HS and seeing an order come through for one of those he took it upon himself to insert the batteries, turn it on and send it down the conveyor belt.

"Mrs. Smith your order is ready."

Lol that’s hilarious. I loved getting their catalog before Christmas time as a kid and circling all of the toys that I wanted from Santa. I worked in the warehouse at the one in West Knoxvile during college. That was a fun job, until my Jeep got stolen out of the parking lot

 

[Vjcvette]

I remember playing pin ball at the arcade in West Town mall in 75 and they would put
you name on the machine if you had the highest points, and I did get my name up
there one time lol

 

[MAD]

I remember playing pin ball at the arcade in West Town mall in 75 and they would put
you name on the machine if you had the highest points, and I did get my name up
there one time lol

When you entered the arcade in West Town Mall, this was the first game you would see. One of my all time favorite games.

 

[Vjcvette]

When you entered the arcade in West Town Mall, this was the first game you would see. One of my all time favorite games.
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The good old days....