Blue Coast Burrito Holds Open House, Sort of

Future Home of Blue Coast Burrito, 37 Market Square, Knoxville

Fresh on the heels of Nama's opening last week came news that Blue Coast Burrito would hold an Open House from 4:00 to 6:00 on Tuesday. The best I could do was 5:30. A sign was posted in the front window which revealed a rendering of the final product as well as a statement indicating that we "are going to be neighbors." As I looked in the front door and began to take pictures, I was a little surprised that so much work would be underway during an open house, but there were men in suits about, also, so I went about my blogga man business until I was approached by a nice man who asked if he might help me.

Entrance to Blue Coast Burrito, 37 Market Square, Knoxville, March 1, 2011

I could tell from the way he framed his question that he didn't particularly expect me, which was surprising for someone hosting an open house. As we talked it became clear that he hadn't gotten the memo about an open house. He was quite surprised to learn that it had been on the Property Scope blog on the Knoxville News Sentinel site, though he did acknowledge that the writer of that blog, Josh Flory, had come by earlier.

Bottom Floor, Serving Island, Blue Coast Burrito, Market Square Knoxville

The person assuming the role of surprised general manager was Garry Burke, who proved to be a gracious, if somewhat surprised host. He offered to take me on an impromptu tour, which I very much appreciated. The bottom floor will have a serving island which will cater to guests on two sides. Each person picks their own fresh ingredients from the island and a burrito is assembled to their specifications.

Margarita bar on second floor, Blue Coast Burrito

Emphasis is placed on "fresh" and Gary assured me the vegetables will be purchased from local farmers. Upstairs is the margarita bar, with seating planned to be scattered throughout. The idea is that customers may bring their burritos from downstairs and find a table or may simply come upstairs for a drink, with the option of filling out an order for a burrito which will be delivered to them upstairs. He showed me the food preparation area and talked about the outdoor seating, which will be considerable, as well. It is the largest of the stores they have opened, coming in at around 4,000 square feet as opposed to their typical 2,500. The margarita bar is their first attempt at that idea.

Gary Burke, General Manager and All Around Nice Guy, Blue Coast Burrito

He's excited about the opening and, optimistically expects that to be in about two weeks. Maybe his next move should be to cross the square and help some folks on the other side get a move on. When it opens, this will make the fifth restaurant on that side of the Square to prepare foods with a southwestern/Mexican/Hispanic theme, joining Soccer Taco, Cocoa Moon, La Costa and Sangria's. We don't have much in the way of ethnic sections of town, so maybe this could be our Little Mexico or Little Hispaniola. I'm not sure how Subway fits in, but then they are always closed when I'm around, so maybe they don't count so much.

Food Prep Area, Blue Coast Burrito, March 1, 2011

Applications being accepted on the Bill Lyons Pavilion for Blue Coast Burrito

So, mark it on your calendars - sometime around the middle of the month - and we'll meet and check out some fresh burritos. If these openings keep up all spring I'll have to buy bigger blogga britches.

Jewelry Here, Graffiti Gone

There is a lot happening on and around Market Square this week. I'm not talking about the kinds of events that so often surprise me. I'm talking about comings and goings and permanent changes. For a long time I've watched and commented on several possibilities that are now coming to fruition - or can something come to counter-fruition if it isn't fruitful? Maybe not.

Arnstein Building, Union and Market Street, Knoxville

On the interesting side of the ledger, we have the fact that someone is leaving the lights on in the Arnstein Building every day and night for the last several days. Does that mean someone new is snooping around trying to decide whether or not to take the plunge after the Urban Outfitter's deal apparently fell through. I'm hoping strongly. It is such a great building in such a great location. I want something good to happen, there.

37 Market Square, Knoxville

Also interesting are the latest developments at 37 Market Square. The brickwork on the side is complete, with modest architectural elements to add interest, such as the dentil work at the top and the triple row of arched bricks above the second story windows. What I'm curious about at this point is what will happen with the brick facade the developer was compelled to keep. It doesn't match the new brick and it has a century of accumulated dirt and paint. Will they treat the brick somehow to make it match? Will they leave it unmatched so that it announces itself as the historic portion of the building? Will they keep the barely visible and historic inscriptions on the front or perhaps even re-paint them as the developers did on the JFG building? Stay tuned.

Sign Announces Opening Day at Fizz, September 1, Market Square, Knoxville

Katheryn Rouse poses with her hand-crafted jewelry at Fizz on Market Square

Andie Ray outside Fizz - formerly her business, Vagabondia, Market Square, Knoxville

On the good news side of the ledger, today was the opening day for Fizz. It was exciting to meet Katheryn Rouse and welcome her to the neighborhood. She is from Knoxville and worked downtown many years ago - including at the Mercury Lounge. She took a sojourn to New York City, but is back and excited about the newly revitalized Market Square. Visit her. Buy her hand-crafted jewelry and support a new downtown business!

Former Graffiti Wall, minus the plywood and art, Wall Avenue, Knoxville

Now for the unfortunate news - at least to me and others who have enjoyed the Graffiti wall on (appropriately) Wall Avenue. I had written recently (as had Josh Flory at Property Scope) that the Graffiti wall would probably not survive the renovation to 36 Market Square. With the facade replaced on the front, who could imagine the side being left covered with the plywood that provided the surface for artists to copy "The Scream," propagandists to rail against TVA and artists like Cynthia Markert and Brian Pittman to provide free art for the citizens?

Former business exposed on Wall Avenue, Knoxville

This weekend I noticed too many bricks piled on the site to simply be destined for the front of the building. I also noted the fact that the fencing we've all walked around for the last, what, Millennium? Had been shifted from the front to snaking its way down the side of the building - blocking most of the Graffiti Wall. I walked downtown today to take pictures which I assumed would be among the last of the wall, only to discover that it is gone. The plywood has been removed. Caution tape surrounds most of the wall not fenced and broken windows are exposed, along with an interior that is many miles from being usable space.

Interior of back-end of 37 Market Square Building

I'll conclude with a picture submitted by Chandler, who is a recent addition to the Urban Blues Family. He took the picture below of his friend who was visiting from Baltimore and suggested that I might use it. His submission turned out to be very timely.