Tour of New Union Shops, Plus More Tree and Vine

New Union Shops - Pre-Makeover, Union Avenue, Knoxville, February 2012

Yesterday's blog post about the eminent Knoxville advent of The Tree and the Vine certainly stirred up quite a response. I'd e-mailed the owners to let them know I was posting about their business, so I hoped to hear from them and I did. What I didn't anticipate was that I would hear from a person affiliated with the development of the building. Fortunately, everyone was pleased and an offer was extended for me to look around the building and see the plans.

Paul Karlsson, co-owner of The Tree and Vine along with his wife Terri, expanded on their plans and hopes for the new business, saying, "the name is primarily a reference to the Olive Tree and the Grape Vine (balsamics) since balsamic vinegar is made from grape must, which is made from cooked, white, Trebbiano grapes grown in the Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy." Got that? Me either, but I'm hoping to learn all about it personally when Terri and Paul arrive. I'm guessing a trip to their store will be fun and educational as well as delicious.

The store in Asheville, and soon the one in Knoxville will carefully reflect their personal talents and skills as Terri designs the colors and textures while Paul plans the layout and lighting. He actually builds the cabinetry himself and he is "currently in the process of building the cabinetry in our shop," from "natural maple and cherry," which he hopes will set a pleasing atmosphere.

In addition to their Olive Oil, they are very proud of their Balsamic Vinegar. He insists, "after traveling all over Italy and tasting samples at International Fancy Food Shows, we still carry the best tasting aged Traditional Balsamic Vinegar we have ever tasted, regardless of price." Hungry?

Later in the day I met the person who had offered the tour. He requested not to be named or photographed. When we met on the sidewalk he was wearing a fake nose, glasses and mustache . . . not really, but it's a fun image, no? Actually, he was a very nice person who certainly had no reason other than kindness to offer me the tour.

Architectural Rendering of New Union Shops after make-over

He started by showing me the plans for the building and, thankfully, explaining what they meant. In a nutshell the exterior plans call for the entire front of the building to be glass. The bricks wrapping around the southwest corner of the building will be left and all the other frontage will be removed, probably within the next couple of weeks.

Fencing outside Sapphire - something similar for New Union Shops?

Over the large plates of glass will be a new awning, giving shelter to sidewalk traffic. He is also considering the addition of fencing similar to that in front of Sapphire, which, as you can see in the photograph, is very attractive. His thinking is to have it at the very edge of the sidewalk, leaving room between the tree wells to have outdoor seating while still allowing for a flow on the sidewalk.

Inside is pretty much a shell with dirt and gravel floors. While we were there workers were excavating the plumbing lines which had been installed with different plans in mind by the previous owner. They will likely be modified to fit the new plans for the space.

Interior View from the West (portion which will be The Tree and Vine)

And what are those new plans? I'm glad you asked. There is space for five storefronts in the building. One is already taken by Lellyett and Rogers, Printing and Reprographics which, I believe, mostly does printing and reproduction for construction related companies. They will stay in their current address, though their front will be partially altered.

The remaining spaces working from the western (Lellyett and Rogers) end will include The Tree and the Vine next door. Working back toward the Hotel Oliver, it is thought the next space might be a high-end men's hair salon or barbershop. A couple have expressed interest, but nothing has been set.

Interior View of New Union Shops from the rear looking southeast

The next space is available, though they are picturing, perhaps, a food-related vendor, though not necessarily a restaurant. He mentioned that in the same since that The Tree and Vine is food-related with food products and kitchen supplies, there might be something for the next spot which would compliment that.

The final space on the end of the building across the alleyway from the Hotel Oliver is likely to be a restaurant. Whereas the others spaces have from just over 1000 to just over 1400 square feet, this space has over 1800 square feet will have plumbing to support a kitchen in the rear, with an exit into the alley. A large window will also be placed on the alley side at the end to provide additional light for the space.

Interior View of New Union Shops from the rear looking southwest

It is expected that the spaces will be ready for occupancy in June and, hopefully, the entire store-front will be filled this summer providing a very helpful connector to the stores in the Daylight Building on the next block.

It's amazing to think how much Union Avenue has changed in the last two years and  it doesn't seem to be finished. The possibility of a tour of the condos under construction on the upper floors of the Arnstein Building was dangled at the end of our conversation. I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, thanks to Paul for e-mailing me about his new business and thanks to the unnamed person who gave me the tour. Watch for him. He's the guy with the fake glasses, nose and mustache.

Buy Local, Shop Union (Avenue)

Coffee and Chocolate: The Granddaddy Union Avenue Business

It would have been a very different experience a couple of years ago. The Daylight Building was a construction zone. Reruns was on Market Square. Coffee and Chocolate was doing good business. Even a year ago it was struggling to find it's groove. Rala had opened and the Daylight Building had John Black Photography and the Happy Envelope.

This is the first Christmas for Union Avenue Books and Just Ripe. Reruns is now in their new location. It's actually possible to shop this delightful corridor and check off a  good bit of your Christmas list. Park in the Locust Street Garage and work your way toward Gay Street.

Union Avenue Books Display

 

Knoxville-centric Books just inside the entrance to Union Avenue Books



New Fiction and Non-Fiction, Union Avenue Books, Knoxville



Charlie takes time with Customers at Union Avenue Books

Union Avenue Books features both new and used books and has a strong local flavor with books by many area authors. A display beside the entrance contains the new Knox Heritage Cookbook for twenty dollars with the profits going to that excellent organization. Jack Neely's books about Knoxville sit beside the cookbooks quietly suggesting that you get to know your city. New hardbacks are always on display at the front, 2012 calendars are already on sale and the children's section in the back is excellent. Throw in personable and knowledgeable staff and you've got the perfect place to spend the morning while taking care of your shopping.


Just Ripe Grocery Store, Union Avenue, Knoxville

 

Gift Baskets from Just Ripe, Knoxville

 

Canvas Bag and Gift Card from Just Ripe

Just Ripe is a grocery store, yes, but also a good place to shop for gifts with a local flair. Canvas Just Ripe bags and gift cards to the grocery store make a great gift for downtown friends. The gift baskets which range from around thirty dollars to sixty dollars make great gifts. They also sell downtown gift cards which I've bought for friends. Then there are organic cook books and even Three Bears Coffee which I've bought for another friend. While there on your shopping excursion you can enjoy lunch. I suggest strongly that you try a sweet potato burrito.
After lunch, stop in at Coffee and Chocolate for a warm beverage and a little something sweet. I've already received a box of chocolates from there as a gift. They also have insulated travel cups to carry your coffee with you as you leave. They also make nice gifts. Carry your coffee next door to Rala.


Rala: Gifts for all budgets, Union Avenue, Knoxville

 

Rala, Union Avenue, Knoxville

 

Brian Pittman Prints and Originals at Rala, Knoxville

 

Cynthia Markert art at Rala: $750

 Rala has been open about a year-and-a-half. Owned by Nanci Solomon, who also owns Re-runs, the shop features art from our area and beyond. Currently featured artists include Brian Pittman whose cathedral drawings are helping fund the renovation of the Mary Boyce Temple home a few blocks to the south. Also featured are beautiful new creations from Cynthia Markert whose art has become synonymous with the city. I've got my eye on one of these, myself.


Window displays, Union Avenue, Knoxville



Window Displays at night, Arnstein Building, Union Avenue


So, evening is approaching and you haven't made it to Mast General Store or other shops on Gay Street and Market Square. Sorry, you aren't finished. Walk back toward your car and enjoy the beautiful window displays in the Arnstein Building. The Reruns display was put together by Paris with help from Brianna. Tell them how beautiful they are when you stop in at Reruns where you can end your day by purchasing one of their gorgeous ensembles.

Ensemble outside Reruns, Union Avenue, Knoxville

 

Reruns, Daylight Building, Union Avenue, Knoxville



Ensemble outside Reruns, Union Avenue, Knoxville

It's a pretty full day and it's a day you could not have had just a few months ago. We're so fortunate to have these good people making life in the city so much better for so many of us. Support them if you want to keep them.

City People Downtown Tour of Homes: Pembroke and Crown Court

Exquisite Modern Kitchen, Pembroke, Knoxville

The Pembroke has housed residential units since 1990, making it one of the older residential developments downtown. Originally called the Sprankle Building, it had previously housed TVA in its heyday. Its elegant lobby off Union Avenue across from the Daylight Building suggests the elegance one will find inside. The unit on display was decorated in a contemporary style and sat just inside the wall beside the only roof-top pool in Knoxville. It is for common use by residents.



View across the living area into the kitchen, Pembroke, Union Avenue, Knoxville

 

View from the kitchen, Pembroke, Union Avenue Knoxville

 

View from the window of the only rooftop pool in the city, Pembroke, Knoxville


My favorite parts of this unit were the lights in the kitchen/living area and the kitchen, in particular, which was beautiful. It seems that many of the units downtown place a heavy emphasis on updating the kitchens or simply making them beautiful. This condo featured brick walls and had some exposed duct-work.

Living area 508 Pembroke, Union Avenue, Knoxville

 

Office area, 508 Pembroke, Union Avenue, Knoxville

Another condo listed for sale held open house in hopes of attracting people who were thinking of moving downtown. I don't really understand why every unit for sale in the downtown area doesn't host an open house that day. Most people are curious, but others are thinking of making the leap to downtown living. The condo for sale (508) was striking only for its contents. If the unit was special, it was hidden by the extreme (think Hoarders) amount of contents. For a sale, half or more of the objects will likely need to disappear. On the other hand, if they have a estate sale, I'm there. The cost is $255K and the square footage is around 1100.

One other unit is for sale in the building for the same price. It has just under 900 square feet, which gives you an idea of how expensive the condos are per square foot. They aren't the cheapest downtown, but they tend to be beautiful and you are paying for the elegance and the pool, I suppose. They also have parking, which isn't insignificant downtown.


Entrance to unit in Crown Court, Locust Street, Knoxville

Crown Court is housed in the old YMCA building on Locust Street just around the corner from the public library and next to the Masonic Temple. One of the very cool features of these condos is that they are connected to the current YMCA offering a modern workout facility without walking outside. A membership is included, if I remember correctly. Urban Woman was particularly taken by this building on a previous incarnation of the Tour of Homes.


Bedroom at unit in Crown Court, Locust Street, Knoxville



Living Area, Crown Court Unit, Locust Street, Knoxville

The unit in question on this tour was small, but had a large amount of exposed brick and good views. The kitchen was long, elegantly appointed and efficient, but it was narrow and, I suspect, some people wouldn't care for its arrangement. I've gotten the impression that these units are often second homes, city homes or winter homes. I know some people live in the building full-time and year-round, but I think there is a mix. Probably best suited for couples or single folks because of their size, they do have great charm.

Kitchen in the unit at Crown Court



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.

It's art. It's a gift to the street. Get it?

Beginnings of a Cynthia Market Painting

Another Cynthia Beginning around the corner from the first

I've recently enjoyed watching Cynthia Markert create new works on the street. I haven't actually watched her so much as watched a real-time evolution of several paintings she has underway outside the construction at the Hotel St. Oliver.

Cynthia at work on Union Avenue. She's not big on having her picture taken.

At first it wasn't clear who was up to something and what that something might become, but gradually it became obvious it was, indeed, Cynthia, downtown Knoxville's longest running artist. Soon enough, I found her at work (evenings if you'd like to say, "hello"). I enjoy all her work, of course, but I have to say I'm partial to the ladies all standing in their flowing dresses.

Coming into focus: Cynthia Markert painting underway

One corner of plywood, two works in progress

It's amazing that an established artist would take the time to make this gift to each of us as we pass by what would otherwise be a drab wall. She creates these works knowing that at best they will be temporary, but will provide a moment of pleasure or surprise for those of us who walk the streets.

Coming together, but under attack. This one's my favorite

At worst? Well, I learned a little about that tonight. She told me that the paintings are under attack of a sort. You can see in the most recent one of the woman facing forward that someone is putting a frame around it and has posted a sticker on one edge. The woman's face nearest the corner in the grouping of women has been repeatedly scratched. Why? Artistic jealousy? (She tells me this has happened before.) Ignorance? Yes. 

Getting closer. Two Cynthia Markert paintings.

I'd encourage you to get by there and take a look. You probably have about six weeks before they are removed for the opening of the Hotel. If you see Cynthia tell her you appreciate what she does. If you see someone defacing it, well, I'll leave your response to your conscience.

Something a little different coming from Cynthia (same wall).

I - I - I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone

But it is your downtown sidewalk I'd like to talk a bit about today. I'd planned to do a piece about the bizarre tapestry of surfaces that comprises the downtown sidewalks, but I'll put that off for another time. For now, there are a couple of sidewalk projects that are worth noting. Both were planned and are being executed together. The original plans are here for work to be completed on the south end of Market Street between Church and Cumberland and the project on Union between Market Square and Gay Street.

Sidewalk work on Market Street

As you can see, work has already begun on both projects. According to the site, the work was expected to be finished this winter, but it just started on Union and neither site looks near completion. The detailed plans are available on the link above, but the existing projects don't seem to match the plans, as far as I can tell. In the case of Market Street, the entire street has been removed, which I didn't understand was to happen. The sidewalks in that location are brick, so I'm assuming and hoping they carry that on out to the street.

Cordoned off section of Union in front of Coffee and Chocolate and Rala

In the case of the Union Street project, it appears from the plans that parking along the northern side of the street would still be accepted. Looking at the physical reality on the street, this doesn't look possible. If the portion of that street which has been excavated is intended for a wider sidewalk, as I believe is the case, then I don't see how cars can park on the street and also pass through. It was barely wide enough for that to begin with.

I'm particularly happy about the widened sidewalk on Union Street because when the weather is nice, that's where I like to sit and enjoy my coffee. With the sidewalks their current width, people have a difficult time passing the tables as they walk through. The cars parked so close to the tables also undermines the openness of a sidewalk table in impedes the view.

Union Avenue project viewed from the eastern (Gay Street) end

My first choice would have been for a closure to automobile traffic, but that probably is a dream. At least this should make it more pleasant. I'm also hoping the city will use brick for the sidewalk extension because I think it looks more in keeping with the preservation work that has been done throughout downtown, even though during icy weather it is more treacherous.

Maybe one of my alert viewers who understands architectural renderings or has some inside information on the projects could enlighten us all. Anyone?