Market Square Still Evolving: Is it getting better?

Preservation Pub: New Solar Panels and Roof Garden

It seemed the news from Market Square had run its course for the month, from the footnote to the splashy: Bernadette West got approval for some of the solar panels she wants on top of Preservation Pub and Tupelo Honey is coming to 1 Market Square.

Just when it seemed the month would end without more changes, the latest change was announced just before the weekend: Scott and Bernadette West have purchased 32 Market Square. What does this mean? Well, if you believe the comments on Knoxnews, it means either the War on Drugs has been lost or the War on Drugs was a dumb idea in the first place. I'd just as soon look at it through another lens.

There are two businesses on the first floor of that building. I'm not sure if there is currently anything above them. One is Swagger, which is a high-end athletic shoe store originally located in Bearden and on Market Square for just under two years. It wasn't my kind of place, but I enjoyed talking to Ricky. I'm told he hasn't worked there since before Christmas. The other business is Harb's Tailoring. I'm not sure how long this business has been on the square, but it has the look of something from an earlier era.

32 Market Square: Harb's Taylor and Swagger

The plan is for the West's to replace both businesses with an entertainment venue called Scruffy City Hall. The idea appears to be that some artists want to charge more to play than Preservation Pub thinks their patrons would like to pay. This will provide another option for bands who might like to charge $10 for a ticket. I suspect the Wests will do a first class job of this re-purposing of 32 Market Square and you'll probably find me in the new establishment enjoying some great entertainment.

So, it's all good, right? Well, not completely in my mind. It has not been a week since, walking through Market Square, I thought, "People seem to think we only have restaurants and bars in Market Square, but we have so much more." And it's true. Even though the most recent announcement prior to that had been of the advent of Tupelo Honey, there is so much more. We have gift shops in the form of Earth to Old City and Bliss. We have home goods at Bliss Home and clothing and accessories at Fizz and Crass Couture. We have Knox Ivi and an outpost of WBIR along with the Chamber of Commerce and a beauty salon.

But until now we also had a shoe store and a tailor. Two pretty old-school merchants to mix and match with all the new shiny concept stores. Who cares, right? Well, I've got a little concern. We have many, many bars and restaurants downtown and not so many shoe shops and tailors. Are we a place to dine and party or are we a place to live where the residents can also dine and party?

This is nothing against the Wests and nothing against the new business. I have no problem with either and fall into the camp of gratitude for what they have accomplished downtown. I'd like to think they might understand my thoughts regarding building a city. Maybe both these businesses were heading out in any case. I'm not sure what kind of volume Swagger did and Harb's did seem anachronistic in the face of everything happening downtown.

Ugly Storefront at 30 Market Square: Architects with no civic pride? Really?

So, what now? What needs to happen next for Market Square? We are getting Scruffy City Hall and we are getting Tupelo Honey at 1 Market Square. We have two great openings and one ugly, ugly storefront at 30 Market Square. Of course I'd like to see the owners at 30 Market Square finally become good citizens and make their storefront less of an embarrassment. Did you know they are architects? Can you say, "irony?"

2 Market Square: Imagine a Parisian-styled Pharmacy

I'd like to see something different at each of the corners - 2 Market Square and 36 Market Square. It would be great if it could be something that would draw people downtown. Sure, we all want more of that. But I'd love it if either or both could be solid retail establishments that people living in a city actually need. 36 could make a great clothing or small department store.

As for 2 Market Square, a rumor circulated recently on Facebook that it would be a mattress store. That didn't sound so good to the people who discussed it there. Not that people downtown don't like mattresses, but such an exquisite address seems to beg for more. The "For Lease" sign still hanging in the window suggests the mattress idea hasn't been put to bed.

Pharmacy in Paris from http://www.frenchgardening.com/index.html  

Here's another idea: What about a pharmacy? In Paris there is a very small (by our standards) pharmacy every few feet - which has to do with how much better the French health care system is - and they are very cool. You can't necessarily find a two liter drink, a hair dryer, a photo developer and a full selection of greeting cards, but you'll find the most essential over-the-counter medications and most of the common prescription medications all available from a very friendly and helpful pharmacist. That's what I found and I've learned it is not at all uncommon.

If we can't have a pharmacy and a clothing or department store, here's hoping for something at least a bit different that adds to the life of the city. And here's to the West's new venture. I wish it nothing but success and I'll probably see you there. It's just that at some point, somewhere down the road, we will become a real, vibrant place to actually live a life or we will become an Epcot-like entertainment venue. I'm hoping for a genuine place to go about a daily life. What do you think?

Sundown in the City Returns with a Twang

Sundown Entrance on Union Avenue

First, for those of you who were breathlessly anticipating my Chattanooga/Knoxville thoughts, I'm sorry, we're going to have to put that on hold for the next couple of days. I'll get back to it, I promise. The return of Sundown in the City is just too irresistible a topic.

Human Burritoes mingled with the crowd.

Cowboys await the show. Larry the Beer Hat guy sits and reads.

I know there were mixed feelings on the part of many downtown residents and businesses about the return of the series. I realize things don't always go smoothly with Sundown and there are abuses of various sorts. I can hear Sundown from my house and, yes, it's very loud. For my part, however, I'm glad it's back. I love its messy energy, the people watching is always great, the music is often good and sometimes great and it's free. Living downtown yields the additional option of coming and going from the event, which is a very nice bonus.

The party starts at 10:00.

Five million yards of caution tape for the garbage can.

Policemen and preachers mingle beside the Holston building.

One of the most interesting shifts this year is the closure of Krutch Park. I would not have believed it possible to close an entire park, but here, on the eve of Earth Day, approximately five million feet of caution tape was deployed to encircle the entire park. Patrols of yellow-shirted security guards and uniformed policemen patrolled both the interior of the park as well as the perimeter. The Krutch Park annex (I made up that designation) beside the Holston Building was staffed by additional policemen and security representatives and street preachers with large Bibles and an amplified sound system. With all these precautions in place, I think it is safe to assume the teenagers who hang out in these areas were thoroughly prevented from having any fun.

You never know what old friend you might run into at Sundown.

Couple watches Sundown from a second story window over Oodles.

The crowd, as always, featured everything from faux punk-rockers to Goth children and the usual hordes of primping teenagers. The difference this time was the much larger (apparently) rural presence which makes sense given the musical artists. I saw more than my typical share of Skoal being dipped and spit, t-shirts with the sleeves cut off, cowboy hats and boots and tribute attire dedicated to various NASCAR drivers.

Many people hung back on the south end of the square and listened from the distance.

JC and the Dirty Smokers opened this year's Sundown series.

The concert itself featured country artists, which has rarely been the case in the past. I'd never heard of opening act JC or his Dirty Smokers. I understand they are a local band and I thought they were pretty good. Regular readers of this blog know that I love traditional and alternative country music, but I have very little use for the soulless excuse that is most contemporary country music. At least in their live performance they seemed more traditional to me and I enjoyed them.

Randy Houser is also new to me. I heard his "Going out with My Boots On" on the radio and I was unimpressed. It did catch my attention that he is on the bill for a June concert on the World's Fair Park with possibly the coolest human being ever to live: Willie Nelson. The fact that AC/DC blared over the PA as the buildup to the show did not encourage me.

Not everyone wore a cowboy hat.

It seems so many country artists today are not country at all, they are a derivative of southern rock. In the 1970's I very much enjoyed the current country music and southern rock. I was blessed to see Lynyrd Skynyrd when Ronnie Van Zant was still alive. I also saw ZZ Top and the Marshall Tucker Band at their peak, as well as the Allman Brothers Band in one of their best periods. So I really get southern rock. I also saw Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson during this era. Southern rock was very much informed by the blues and by country music, but it was not derivative of either. This music seems an attempt to blend the two and, in the end, it falls far short of either the amazing soul of Greg Allman or Ronnie Van Zant or the honest truth of the music of Waylon Jennings.

Randy Houser, Sundown in the City, Market Square, Knoxville, 2011.

There were moments I enjoyed more than others as Randy Houser performed. I found it a bit jarring that most songs and the monologues in between were alternately punctuated with profanity and "God Bless Y'all." When he did sing a religious song, which he said is his next single, the drunken college students in my section of the audience declared, "This sucks," and asked me if I wanted to party with them on the strip. I demurred.

A high point of the night for many in the crowd was when the band played Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man." Most of the people around me knew all the words and belted them out enthusiastically as they were exhorted to do so from the stage. I couldn't help but remember the near religious experience of hearing Lynyrd Skynyrd doing that song 500 miles and thirty-five years from here. I'd stood directly at the feet of Ronnie Van Zant. The weight of that comparison proved too much a burden on a competent, yet forgettable version of the song on this beautiful Knoxville night.

Business Movement in the City: Reruns

It's not been that long since I gave a business update, but so much is happening that I feel the need to note a few changes around town and mention developments that have emerged elsewhere. This will take at least two parts. I'll leave until later to summarize recent reports about developments around the city.

This announcement appeared on a window in the Daylight building.

Today I'll focus on a piece of breaking news: Reruns is moving from Market Square to the Daylight Building two blocks west on Union Avenue. Apparently the building is being sold, which could mean anything as far as rent and leases, so they are being proactive and finding a new home. The projected opening date is May 24 (I'm sure all members of the Urban Nation know this is Bob Dylan's seventieth birthday - which clearly has to be the reason for that opening date :-)

So what does this mean? This leaves two popular businesses in 2 Market Square: Coffee and Chocolate and Rala, each of which actually have Union Avenue addresses. Rala is a sister business to Reruns and has a two year lease which would have to be honored by a new owner. I'm not sure about Coffee and Chocolate. It could mean nothing at all for either business.

Sidewalk Project moving slowly on Union Avenue, Knoxville

Meanwhile outside their doors the sidewalk and street is still a disaster as they widen the sidewalks and replace drainage pipes beneath the street. I really thought there might be a big push to finish this project before the Dogwood Arts Festival, Rossini and the Farmer's Market, but apparently not. It's too bad for those businesses. Sometimes it seems the city could do more to plan for such disruptions.

Union Avenue Books opening April 28, Daylight Building, Knoxville

Meanwhile, on the other end of Union Avenue, at the Daylight building, this means that by May 24 the retail portion of the building will reach capacity about nine months after opening. The residential portion was filled immediately. Union Avenue Books is set to open April 28 and, by all signs, Just Ripe should open by that time, as well. Between Market Square and the Daylight lies the St. Oliver which is undergoing significant renovations and is also set to open soon.

Downtown Knoxville, for many visitors, is Market Square and a small stretch of Gay Street including Mast General and the Tennessee Theater. For downtown to continue growth and to become a true urban center, other sections of the city need to become destinations or at least vibrant centers of business and exchange for downtown residents. So far, the closest to that has been the 100 block of Gay Street and the Old City.

Just Ripe getting closer - Daylight Building, Union Avenue

Can the Daylight Building become the next point of reference when talking about downtown? Can Knoxville's perception of itself grow with the businesses?  Are we serious enough about having a vibrant downtown that we will venture out of our comfort zone? The future of these businesses and the city's growth depends on the answers to these questions.

Where to Start? Knoxville Marathon!

Starting line for the Knoxville Marathon at the World's Fair Park, April 2011

It was a jam-packed weekend in downtown Knoxville. A weekend like this one makes blogging difficult in a good way: Where to start? Chronologically, it would be First Friday - and I've got some stories there. Typically I might cut right to the music: Rhythm and Blooms ran all weekend. Instead, I'll defer those and start with the Knoxville Marathon.

Some folks were all about the style, Knoxville Marathon, April 2011

"Am I crazy? What have I done?"

I caught little bits of it as the morning passed and the runners wound their way through downtown and surrounding areas. The starting line was filled with excitement as the runners anticipated the big moment. Some runners clearly felt the adrenaline flow, while others seemed worried that they might throw up before they started. Some were dressed festively for the shorter runs, but mostly it was about the business. The national anthem was sung beautifully and the starting gun sounded, first for the hand cyclists and next for the runners.

Jynocel Basweti, Second Place Finisher Knoxville Marathon, April 2011

Knoxville's Stewart Ellington, Fourth Place Finisher, Knoxville Marathon

I checked back in a while later, but I just missed the eventual winner, David Kellum. I did get a photograph of Jynocel Basweti who took second and Knoxville's own Stewart Ellington who finished fourth.

Runners passing through Market Square, Encouragement Girl on left

I have no idea what the sign meant, but she was enthusiastic.

There were a few encouragers along the way. A certain group of downtowners held a marathon party in a building at the corner of Church and Market. By the second time I passed them I had to encourage them to encourage the runners as the party beverages seemed to be taking most of their concentration by that time. I suspect you can read about their delightful party on Blue Streak.

This musician performed for runners as they passed the Market Square Stage

Water Volunteers, ready and waiting at Market Square

From there I took various pictures of the runners on Market, in Market Square and on Gay Street. The lovely encourager on Market Square had planned to run, but was forced by injury to cheer the others. It was striking how many volunteers are required to make something this large work. From the directors down to the people at corners telling runners where to turn, police officers, emergency medical professionals, people at the water tables and on it goes.

They mugged it up and then said, "Wait, that's not him!"

Having fun later in the morning, Knoxville Marathon, April 2011

Inspiration filled the air. I saw an old friend who ran the marathon with her husband. I talked to a family waiting on their mother to complete the marathon. As the morning wore on, the later finishers seemed to be having more fun than the competitive early finishers. It made me consider: Should I lace up the old sneakers and see what this tired old body could do? Back at the condo a cup of coffee or two later better judgement settled in and I decided it's probably best that I leave the heavy lifting to the truly dedicated. Here's to you guys!

Marathoners cross Market Square, Knoxville Marathon 2011

Blue Coast Burrito is Open!

Open for Business - Blue Coast Burrito, Knoxville, March 24, 2011

In what promises to be a season of full of openings, Blue Coast Burrito became the first new business to open its doors. It's an exciting new opening on the square and continues a trend of Latin-themed restaurants on the west side of Market Square. It joins Soccer Taco, Cocoa Moon, La Costa and Sangria's. Ironically, given the large number of what you might expect to be similar menus, each place has its own twist on the theme and the prices cover quite a range. For Blue Coast Burrito the spot on that range is at the lower end, which is nice. I love the restaurants on Market Square, but it is difficult for two people to eat dinner for much under $30 and you can easily spend much more. It's pretty easy at Blue Coast Burrito.

The tiny notice that Blue Coast Burrito might open today.

It seemed as if the desire was for a low-key opening. The only indication they would open today that I saw was two small computer-printed notices in the window yesterday. Even the wording left some question in my mind. It said, "Please visit us on Thursday, March 24" in very small font beneath a notification that training was in progress. I thought maybe this was a second open-house, but we went there on hopes it was a quiet opening and it was.

Christy very helpfully explains the process and the menu

We were met at the door by Christy who explained how to order and gave suggestions and explanations of the menu. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and keen to see that we had a good experience. I chose two steak tacos in corn tortillas while Urban Woman tried a latinga chicken burrito. The service through the line was great, though folks are obviously still learning. The meal with drinks, food and tax came to just over $16. That's hard to beat downtown.

An Urban Woman makes her selections in the food line.

We took our food upstairs to the Margarita Room, which is cozy and features a nice view from the big windows beside each table. A bar is located upstairs which served only beer for the first day because the paperwork had not come through to serve mixed drinks, though we were told margaritas would be served starting tomorrow.

Seating area on the first floor, Blue Coast Burrito, Knoxville

How was the food? One small problem presented itself: the burrito was cold. I'm not sure how that happened since we watched them make it, but when it was pointed out to the staff, we were immediately given another one which, after being put together, was steamed. I'd recommend that you ask for that. After that small glitch we enjoyed each of our dishes very much. The burrito was spicy, which we love and the corn tortillas (you can have flour if you prefer) were very tasty and the steak also was very good.

Upstairs view from the rear - Bar and seating - Blue Coast Burrito

I also liked the fact that, with the structure of the food preparation, you can get your food, eat and get out quickly, yet it also seems like the kind of place (particularly upstairs) you wouldn't mind lingering. There are televisions mounted on the walls, which I realize is the expectation in a casual dining situation in 2011, but which I do not like. Still, and those of you who read this blog regularly know this would be important to me, the sound on the televisions is muted in favor of excellent music playing at a perfect volume over the sound system. It was loud enough to listen to if you are so inclined, and low enough to hold a conversation without shouting at the people across the table.

Cozy nook in the front of upstairs - Oldest facade on Market Square in clear view.

I think they fill a void in terms of price for the quality of food and I'm quite certain we'll be back. I'd encourage you to give it a chance the next time you are downtown. I'd bet you'll enjoy it.

Who could not love Mardi Growl?

A crowd of around 500 dogs was expected, plus a few humans tethered to their leashes for the annual Mardi Growl celebration to raise money for the Young-Williams Animal Center. Despite the rain, they came out in droves or herds or packs - that's it packs, right? Some of them even had real-live Mardi Gras floats in which they cruised through the parade.

Unfortunately, this day was a work day for me, so I missed it, but my good friend and reader-of-my-blog-beyond-all-reasonable-expectations, Kevin, was kind enough to brave the rain with his camera just so I could give you an idea of what the event is like. In addition to a parade from the Dog Park to Market Square, booths were set up to give out treats and to promote canine-related services and the Old City Buskers provided a festive ragtime beat.

Not only did dogs get into the festive theme, many people dressed up in their best Mardi Gras attire, as well. I'm not naming photographs for this statement, but let me just say that the old idea about the owner and the pet resembling really resonates for me in one of these pictures. Which human do you think most resembles his or her canine companion?

I know it is a larger number than I usually post, but I figured animal lovers can't get too much of this kind of thing  - thanks, again, to Kevin.