A Beautiful Gay Street Building Changes Hands!

Arcade Building, 618 South Gay, Knoxville, March 2012

There are so many beautiful buildings on Gay Street that is sometimes easy for one to be overlooked. When passing the 600 block of South  Gay Street, for example, what do you see? Probably the phenomenal Tennessee Theatre. Particularly after its renovations a few years ago, it is a beautiful sight. But there are other buildings on that block beside the Burwell which houses the theater. They are smaller, but some are also beautiful.

600 Block of Gay Street, Knoxville

Yesterday afternoon, the Arcade Building, 618 South Gay Street, which is the third building down from the Burwell, sold to Kevin and Melinda Grimac. Built in 1924, this is one of the most beautiful and unique buildings on Gay Street with its striking marble and copper facade setting it clearly apart from its brick and mortar neighbors. From the street, it appears to be a two story building but, in fact, it is much larger.

Private Gated Garden Entrance at the rear of the Arcade Building, Knoxville

Behind the building and included with the property is a courtyard which contains thirteen parking spaces in a private, gated lot. Parking privileges are negotiable for prospective tenants. The angle of the hill going down from Gay Street allows for direct access to garden-level floor which includes, in addition to storage and electrical support for the building, garden-level office suites.

Kevin and Melinda Grimac, New Owners

Just above the garden-level is the street-level or 1st floor with it's beautiful entrance from Gay Street. Corinthian columns carved from Tennessee marble and an inscription with the building's name above the door, along with aged copper panels bearing a gorgeous patina make this address unique even on a street filled with special buildings.

Interior First Floor Hallway, Arcade Building, Knoxville

The interior hallway runs the entire length of the building and features polished marble floors. Along each side of the corridor, greeting rooms open into offices which could be leased as singly or as suites. Retail space is planned for the front, south side, of this floor (watch for a very exciting announcement in this space, soon).

Interior Detail, First Floor of the Arcade Building, Knoxville

View of Ceiling from First Floor, Arcade Building

The ceiling above the interior hallway opens to skylights two floors above, allowing beautiful light into the long corridor. Greenery drapes over the the openings adding a delicate softness to the sunlight and marble. While the building is beautiful as is, the Grimacs plan to revitalize it with new paint, flooring, landscaping and some re-arrangement of the interior space, accommodating requests of potential tenants. The Grimacs are also interested in applying energy efficient updates to the eighty-eight-year-old building.

Second Floor, Arcade Building, 618 South Gay, Knoxville

Second Floor, Arcade Building, 618 South Gay, Knoxville

View of Sky Lights from Second Floor, Arcade Building, Knoxville

The second floor also currently contains office suites along each side of the building with an open view to the lower floor in the center and beautiful direct sunlight from above. The south side of this floor will be converted to approximately 2700 square feet of living space and will be occupied by the owners. The home will afford three bedrooms and a beautiful view of Gay Street.

Finally, out of view from ground level, a penthouse suite holds the law office of prominent Knoxville attorney Gregory P. Isaacs, who will continue to maintain his current address.

Arcade Building with The Oarsman in Foreground, Knoxville, March 2012

So, a great place just got a little better and more is to come. Much of the 15,000+ sq. feet of office space is available immediately at this premium Gay Street location. If you'd like more information about this special space, contact Melinda Grimac at 356-4178.

Suttree's High Gravity Tavern coming to 409 Gay Street!

Matt and Anne outside the future site of Suttree's High Gravity Tavern

Husband and wife team Matt Pacetti and Anne Ford are ready to announce something that has been in the works for quite some time: They will manage and co-own (with several other investors) Suttree's High Gravity Tavern at 409 S. Gay Street, which is next door to Downtown Wine. That makes it a short move for Matt who has been a well-informed and welcoming face at Downtown Wine since its inception. Anne, who was featured on this blog recently, will move from her long-term post at Bliss Home.

Plans are still taking shape, but some things are well in focus and preparations are being made for a spot unlike any other downtown. Matt says the name of the tavern will likely be the only tip of the hat to Cormac McCarthy, with the inside being "rustic," Matt said, "but with lean modern lines." The bar is being lovingly built by John Phillips, who works at Morelock Music, from boards which had to be removed from the floor to build out the restroom. It promises to be beautiful.

409 Gay Street: Interior space under construction 

As for the beer plans, Matt said, the tavern will serve, "craft beers with a focus on high gravity beers." Readers of this blog know I'm no expert on hops, so I asked what that meant. It means the beer has a higher alcohol content than other beers and most places in Knoxville are not allowed to serve it as it requires a different license. The emphasis will be on enjoying a quiet brew with friends who appreciate specialty beers. A great block that also includes Yee Haw Wine and Morelock Music has just gotten better.

The bar, in addition to a great variety of specialty beers, will  be fully stocked and also will offer wines, which one might suspect will also  be excellent given Matt's knowledge and association with Downtown Wine. Helping out with plans for the beer and perhaps serving some of it up will be one of the most knowledgeable people in Knoxville as far as specialty beers go: Ratchet. He has a post up on his blog Ratchet Brews about the plans.

Matt and Anne

Also offered will be light foods and, while the menu is far from set, hummus, cheese plates, meat plates and soups are all possibilities. Smoking will not be allowed inside, but outside may have a spot for those who need to step out for a minute. Up to ninety patrons will be able to enjoy the inside seating and Matt noted that the tavern will include, "as much outdoor seating as possible."

Plans call for an opening the last weekend of April or soon thereafter, assuming all goes well. Sounds like a great bet for a stop on First Friday in May. And like I said in the previous post about Anne - It's the people who make a place and these are two of the warmest human beings in the city. Stop by and see for yourself.

The quote in yesterday's tease blog was, of course, from Suttee by Cormac McCarthy. If you haven't read it, stop by Union Avenue Books and buy a copy. It's possibly the best book ever written with Knoxville as a setting. Reading it will give you a spring in your step every time you enter Suttree's High Gravity Tavern, just to know you won't have to drink quite like old Sut:

     "Where's the whiskey?
     Here ye go. Get ye a drink, Bud.
     What is it?
     Early Times. Best little old drink in the world. Get ye a drink, Sut.
     Suttree held it to the light. Small twigs, debris, matter coiled in the oily liquid. He shook it. Smoke rose from the yellow floor of the bottle. Shit almighty, he said.
     Best little old drink in the world, sang out J-Bone. Have a drink, Bud.
     He unthreaded the drink, sniffed, shivered and drank."

Shuck opens at 135 S. Gay Street

Shuck Raw Bar and Ale, Gay Street, Knoxville, 2012

The word has been out for months that Shuck, a Raw Bar would arriving on the 100 block of Gay Street bringing another shot of life to a block that seems poised for greatness, but has had its share of ups (opening of Lululemon, Harry's, 11 Cafe) and downs (closing of Eleven, Unarmed Merchants, Havana Nights and Nama's move). Perhaps Shuck will continue the momentum started late last year with the opening of 11 Cafe and this great block will begin to realize its potential.

Sign on First Friday outside Shuck

Training and "VIPs?"

First Friday this month found the doors opened only a crack as staff training was underway. It built my excitement to see the rumor finally becoming a reality. Urban Woman and I grew up on the Gulf Coast and we do love our oysters, so our hopes were high.

Urban Woman can't wait for me to take a picture

We did something I'm not proud of Saturday night: We got in our car and drove down there. I never drive anywhere downtown, but people, it was twenty degrees and the wind was howling. I could take one or the other, but the two together was just too painful. Even the walk from the car to the front door hurt. I diligently stood against the elements and snapped a couple of pictures for you guys, so give me some credit. I'll walk next time, I promise.

Shuck Raw Bar, view behind the bar, Gay Street, Knoxville, 2012

Due to the small size of the restaurant, they do not take reservations. When we arrived, about 6:15 on Saturday night, the place was packed, which was encouraging to see. We were offered two seats at the bar, which we actually enjoyed, though I noticed a table was empty and apparently being held. From the end of the bar we were able to watch the oysters being pulled from their shells and the bar tender mixing drinks, so we had built-in entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, there are no television screens in the house - thank you! There was also no music playing as far as we could hear, which was fine because the volume was high enough without it. It was not too loud to talk, but it was certainly at a festive level.

Spanish-style soup with shrimp

Fried Oysters with Cole Slaw

We wanted to try a couple of different items and share, but neither of us could resist the fried oysters, so we'll have to branch out next time. They were tasty and fried perfectly with very little apparent grease, which is a feat. I did have a Spanish-style soup that was spicy and delicious. It looked a bit like gumbo, but didn't taste like it at all, with more (what I think of as) Mexican spices and less French, though it did contain a generous amount of shrimp.

Raw Oysters courtesy of the nice couple beside us

The couple beside us at the bar had the raw oysters which they said were good. One of the oysters was very small and when he pointed this out he was given a very large one to replace it. We also saw someone get the Torre de Crustaceos which is a tower, several inches tall of shrimp and crab meat and other ingredients. It look great. You can see the full menu here.

Booth seating parallels the bar

The staff was friendly and the atmosphere warm. It seemed to have a young crowd that night, although I don't know if that is typical. Without drinks a couple could eat for less than $40. If you add drinks and desert you could easily top $60. We'll definitely return and if that night was any indication, we will not be alone. Give them a shot and tell them Urban Guy sent you.

Morelock Music Feels Like Home

Matt waits on a customer at Morelock Music while his dog smells her feet

We each probably have a few places which aren't our home, but which give us a good feeling every time we walk inside. Downtown has quite a few spots that residents obviously feel that home away from home feeling. Most evenings if you walk down Gay Street you'll see the same crowd at Downtown Grill. Some people have made Java Old City or Coffee and Chocolate their spot.

I have several myself. I feel most comfortable in the businesses in the Daylight building; talking books in Union Avenue Books, buying a few groceries or eating chocolate with Urban Toddler in Just Ripe, talking to John and Amanda or petting Molly in John Black Studio. Outdoor seating at Preservation Pub with Shaft or Trio with Urban Woman on Market Square or the French Market on Gay Street suit me really nicely.

A packed house, Ferd and Matt at Morelock Music

Ferd and Matt at Morelock Music.

One place that invites you in with its smells of old wood, sounds of instruments in the hands of people who know how to use them and a congenial vibe is Morelock Music. I've passed through on a couple of recent Friday nights and enjoyed the music of Matt and Ferd, but also bands passing through. There's a tip jar by the stage and, often, a packed house with most people standing. I'm not sure Matt makes any money when it's that packed, but he certainly banks a lot of good will.

Band plays at Morelock Music on a Friday night in Knoxville.

Matt sits in on Jew's Harp.

A group plays at Morelock Music, Gay Street, Knoxville, 2012.

My favorite moments in the store are when it's less packed and I can look around at the array of new and vintage instruments, listen to a little local conversation and speak to whomever happens to be working or passing through. Almost any local musician is likely to be spotted in a random visit and that's fun, but it's more than that.

Morelock Music, Gay Street, Knoxville, 2012

The place has that something extra that makes it feel like your place and mine. Is it the comfortable couches, the small collection of vinyl albums, the hodge-podge of items lining every wall or the friendly greeting when you walk in? Yes, it's all that, plus a vibe that's hard to describe. It's that home feeling: Familiar places, sounds and people.

Morelock Music, Gay Street, Knoxville, 2012

It's definitely one of the places that defines downtown, making us distinctive from about any other place that you can name. We have several of those. But mostly, it just extends a welcome out onto the sidewalk, gently tugging anyone passing by to pause and slip inside. Why not do that yourself next time you are downtown? You'll be glad you did. In the meantime, why don't you tell me - which places downtown give you that "at home" feeling?

Is there development potential under our feet?



Entryway beneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville

Regular readers of this blog know that I recently spent some time walking Depot Avenue and considering the possibilities for development. As a part of that post I took pictures from Depot toward the main portion of downtown across the tracks. These shots reminded me that I've wanted to explore the underside of Jackson Avenue.
It's been pretty widely documented that the 100 Block of Gay Street was elevated from its original topography in order to allow automobile traffic to cross the railyard more safely. I'd never thought about Jackson Avenue's rise and fall as it crosses Gay Street into the Old City as being a similar project, but it must have been.

Shaft checks out the possibilities beneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville.

There are pretty intact doorways, passageways and areas that look as if they may be currently used for storage, perhaps in support of the renovations occuring on street level above. The corridors, passageways and rooms under the street would lead to some of the structures on the 100 Block of Gay Street, though much of that space, as has been documented elsewhere, is taken by pipes, wiring and other infrastructure for the residents and businesses above.


A Glimpse underneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville

Some of the entry-ways could easily be attractive enough to be used in only slightly modified form for the entry into a bar or cool restaurant and the space behind them seems adequate for such a purpose. One of the steadiest long-term complaints about downtown would not be an issue as a large parking lot sits directly in front of these potetial businesses. If it all sounds a bit ridiculous as a location because it looks unattractive or unsafe, please consider the spot a few blocks to the west where the Valarium and Cider House seem to be thriving.


Beneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville

Just to the east, on the same level, are the loading docks, which I assume were built to hold frieght from or for the trains when the rail system was at its peak. I've thought for years that these would also make great shops, restaurants and bars. I've seem similar structures so adaptated in San Francisco and I'm sure it's been done else where. This would further cement the connection between the 100 Block and the Old City. 

Loading Docks off Jackson: Storage now available.

Unfortunately, I recently received a flier advertising that some of that space will now be offered for storage. I've always felt long-term storage to be an indictment against western consumption and commercialism. If I don't have room for it I need to let it go - or better, yet, never buy it in the first place. But then, I'm as guilty as anybody of wasteful spending and needless accumulation. Besides, short-term storage is probably a need for many people. It just seems like a waste of real estate in the city. Maybe it's a temporary use for the buildings.
So, do I think we'll see this kind of development by the spring? No. I will likely be many springs until such a thing would be considered, but I think it's there waiting for the right vision. Maybe yours? Just askin'.

Happy Veteran's Day 2011

Veteran's Day Ribbons Line Gay Street, Knoxville

Last year when Veteran's Day rolled around I posted photographs of the ribbons adorning lamp posts and commented that they had just sprung up all up and down Gay Street. I didn't realize Knoxville had a Veterans' Day parade and I assumed someone had experienced a sudden burst of patriotism. Of course I didn't know about the parade because I've always worked on that day and never had the opportunity to be in the city when it happened.

In response to my blog post about the mysterious ribbons I got a comment from a very helpful person that said, in part, "Its. A. Parade," and commented about how "we" do this downtown. It's one of my all-time favorite comments with it's barely controlled rage and smug downtown insider information.

It turned out that I took the day off last year to be with Urban Brother and we got to enjoy the parade together and I wrote a blog post about it. This year I won't be so blessed: My brother is in his own city and I have to work as is usual. I still thought the day worth mentioning.



My Favorite Veteran: Urban Father with Urban Daughter and Urban Toddler

I'll give a tip of the hat to my favorite veteran: Urban Father. He served in the navy during the Korean War spending time on a fuel ship and in Japan just after the occupation. Even though he was proud to get out of the military, he is, to this day, proud of his service and I appreciate his willingness to do so, as I appreciate all the others who have served or are currently serving.


Veteran's Memorial, World's Fair Park, Knoxville

 It's worth noting that, in addition to several memorials to particular wars, Knoxville has a pretty good memorial to its soldiers who have died in the service of their country. Included are each of the names of Knoxvillians and those from surrounding counties on large markers at the north end of the  World's Fair Park. The inscriptions are kept up to date and include those killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. I'd encourage you to spend a quiet moment or two there when you get the chance.

And if you are able, enjoy the parade for me. This will be the 86th edition and it begins at 10:40. If you want to send me a good picture (or more) from the parade, I'll look for a chance to include it on the blog. Certainly, take this day to thank a veteran. They deserve our gratitude in every way.

Meanwhile at the Bill Lyons Pavilion on Market Square, the Occupy Wall Street/Occupy Knoxville group will hold a big rally and march. This is not disconnected from Veteran's Day. The freedoms preserved by those Veteran's make this exercise in democracy possible. This is not lost on the group who plan to do something every hour to honor veterans. Their event will run from 11AM to 11PM and is part of the global Occupy the Streets day.

Happy Veteran's Day everybody.

Veteran's Memorial, World's Fair Park, Knoxville

Various Building Projects Updates (and a musical note or two for the weekend)

I'm posting a few pictures I've taken recently of the various construction projects in the area of Market Square. Serious progress seems to be happening at 36 Market Square and at the Arnstein Building, in particular. Let's work south to north:

Sidewalk on Union - Getting Closer to pedestrian friendly

The sidewalk beside the Miller's Building is looking pretty good. More progress has been made since this picture, but work inside the building continues and the various construction paraphernalia is still sitting about.

Arnstein Building about three weeks ago

Arnstein Building with new windows

Also on Union Avenue, the Arnstein Building got its windows recently and while they don't protrude quite as far into the sidewalk as they used to, they are similar in style. I was excited to hear at the recent CBID meeting that there will be additional street-level commercial space available beyond that which Ruby Tuesday's plans to use for their Mexican grill.

Massive scaffolding on Gay Street

Around the corner on Gay Street, the conversion of the S and W into a beauty school continues, though the interior looks like a restaurant disguised mildly as something else. The lighting everyone seemed to have loathed is still in place. Just down the street across from Downtown Grill and Brewery is the most massive array of scaffolding I've ever seen in Knoxville. I can't tell that the building has changed, but it sure is covered in metal piping.

Work on the back of 36 Market Square

Side of 36 Market Square with new brick, but no Blue Circle Burger sign

Interior of 36 Market Square taking shape

Finally, 36 Market Square has come a long way recently. A lot of work has been done on the back (alley) side and the Wall Avenue side has bricks and glass. I miss the Circle Burger sign, but I'm sure a certain someone has it stashed away. There is one side entry, only, so that's different than before. It's hard to picture what the final product will be, but I'm hoping there is a store front on the Market Square side and the Wall Avenue side. It would be the only business (besides the TVA Credit Union) on a street that used to be bustling. What I really need, of course, is a guided tour so I could report the details accurately and completely. (Thousandth hint) You can get occasional updates and pictures of the project here.

It's interesting that, with Market Square being the current hub of downtown, three corners are currently vacant. I've heard nothing to indicate that the corners will have businesses any time soon. It will be a red-letter day for me when Market Square is fully occupied and Union Avenue is construction-free. I know Union Avenue has had construction of some sort for two years. It would be a Jack Neely question as to the last time Market Square was fully occupied.

There are a couple of musical events I'd like to give particular mention to. One is called "Rock and Roll Velodrome," and it happens at Barley's starting at 3:00 on Saturday and running until 1:00 Sunday morning. Bands will play both outside and inside and particularly I'd be looking to catch Greg Horne, The Tim Lee 3 and Senryu. The cover is $10 and the money goes to cover medical expenses for Steve Hancock a local musician and cyclist who was struck by a car in May. The other musical event that seems pretty significant to me is the Royal Bangs playing two shows at the Pilot Light. Unfortunately, the two events are not only on the same block, they are head-to-head. I've got to find out why the buzz is so great for the Royal Bangs, but I really want to go to the other show. Maybe I'll see you at both.

First Friday Finale

I wrapped up First Friday by re-tracing some of my steps back down Gay Street, through Market Square and back into Krutch Park. Options dwindle as the evening wears on because venues start closing, but I'll deal with that issue more completely, later.

I ran into a guy playing a new looking, though inexpensive guitar, playing to no one in a dark stretch of Gay Street.

I found a couple playing music in the Emporium and listened to them for a while and checked out the art in the back hallway. The music reminded me a bit of the Civil Wars, though I have no idea if the artists would find that a valid comparison.

DJ at Swagger, Market Square, First Friday, May 2011

I found a DJ blasting out a house version of reggae music from Swagger giving that end of Market Square a cool vibe. I even saw Ricky dancing around inside, though I couldn't quite catch him with my camera.

Drum Circle and Dancers, Krutch Park, Knoxville, May 2011

Dancer and audience, Krutch Park, Knoxville, May 2011

But the real action was in Krutch Park where the Drum Circle had grown and included dancers, hula hoopers and all sorts of hippy types from 20 to 70 years old. Not that everybody there fit the profile - there were plenty of people just enjoying the scene with the earth flag, multi-colored hair, long hair, tie-dye and general celebratory fun.

They say that Shaft is a bad mother drummer . . .

Mystery Dancer, Krutch Park, Knoxville, May 2011

As I passed back through the square a full hour after many places had closed, it was still packed with people. All the things I caught tonight and I missed the history walk with Jack Neely and David Dewhirst in the Old City, the State of Franklin movie at the East Tennessee History Center and Ben Sollee at the Bijou, all of which I would have loved to see. This was about a perfect night for being out and being happy to live in Knoxville, Tennessee.