Keenan ThomasKnoxville News Sentinel
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We've hit the middle of August in this unrelenting summer, and we're feeling the heat. We're also feeling all this restaurant and business news from the past month.
New coffee shops, wine bars and celebrity restaurants are popping up all over the greater Knoxville area. But with it comes a fair share of closures, including a prominent restaurant on Sevier Avenue that sent shockwaves through Knoxville's restaurant scene.
Knox News has gathered 15 stories from July and early August that you need to know as summer enters its finale. Maybe one of these new businesses will become a new favorite in Knoxville.
Xul Beer Company quietly opened second location
Xul Beer Company has a new taproom serving up its funky beers in West Knoxville for fans who don't want to make the drive downtown.
Located at 10677 Hardin Valley Road, the new taproom opened in late June. Previously, The Casual Pint used the space before it closed.
The new Xul can seat nearly 100 people at its quartz tabletops, big wooden community table or purple lounge chairs. The dark interior is decorated with Xul's iconography, including '80s horror movie posters.
No brewing is done onsite, but every beer Xul brews will be served in Hardin Valley at some point on its 22 taps.
"I think that West Knoxville is definitely underserved," co-owner Brad West said. "There's some good breweries out here, Orange Hat is out here. We're good friends with them. Crafty has a location out here. But overall, there's not many craft breweries over here."
Xul altered some of its production due to the demand at both locations. However, the brewery has acquired the space Geezer's Brewery used next to Xul's downtown location and will use it to expand production.
"We've had to pull back quite a bit just because we can't keep up. Excellent problem to have, but still a problem," West said. "So that's where this new production space and additional capacity is going to be a real big help."
Part of this revamp in production includes canning, which Xul now does every Monday. That means there's more of a chance to find and take home the increasingly popular PB&J Mixtape.
Jeremiah's Italian Ice opens in West Knoxville
West Knoxville has a new sweet treat to try with Jeremiah's Italian Ice.
With stores all over the country, the Italian ice shop has added Knoxville to its list. The location is at 1601 Ebenezer Road.
It opened July 13 and features over 40 flavors, including chocolate, raspberry, sour green apple, strawberry and horchata. There's Italian ice, soft ice cream and Jeremiah's gelati, which combines the two styles.
Simpl is now closed on Sevier Avenue
Simpl closed a few days earlier than anticipated..
Despite the closure, the restaurant revealed where chef Kendale Ball's next concept will be. The secret new project will be located at South Banks at Suttree Landing.
Sparrow Wine Bar open in Farragut
It's been a good year for wine in Knoxville, and Sparrow Wine Bar just adds to it.
The bar is located at 141 W. End Ave. in The West End shopping center next to Euphoric Cheese Shop. It held its grand opening Aug. 8.
The bar features over 60 wines on its menu with reds, whites and plenty in-between. There's also beer, cider, nonalcoholic drinks, coffee and tea. There are even small plates and cheese boards.
Partial Coffee & Wine (partially) opens in North Knoxville
On Aug. 3, opened its doors. Owner Shay Gregory had the idea after the building owner, Juliana Terra, offered him a space alongside her new co-working company Base.
For now, the cafe is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It can't serve wine yet, but Gregory hopes to start filling glasses by October.
"Partial was an idea as a café and as a wine bar to start opening up people's palates to things that they have not experienced, and to also sort of reward that preference that they already had," Gregory told Knox News. "It's just gonna be a very relaxed, hopefully casual, comfy, and modern café and wine bar."
Just Love Coffee Cafe is opening on the Strip
Positioned next to Firehouse Subs, Just Love Coffee Cafe is a new coffee shop opening Aug. 22 at 1710 Cumberland Ave.
Signs has been added to the outside of the building, but it's not quite open yet. It'll be ready to serve University of Tennessee students fresh coffee by the time school starts.
"We're very excited. This company is all about community engagement, and the retail coffee that we sell goes to several causes," general manager Alexander Beasley told Knox News. "We're all about the community and giving back."
Beasley said there will be two more locations opening. One will be in Alcoa, but the third location has yet to be determined. Just Love Coffee Cafe has locations across the country.
Jason Aldean hosts grand opening for Gatlinburg location
Jason Aldean's Kitchen and Rooftop Bar held its grand opening Aug. 3.
Knox News toured the restaurant with its musical references, giant guitar hanging on the ceiling and outdoor patio overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains.
Aldean made an appearance to cut the ribbon but didn't take questions.
AMC Theatres closes its two Knoxville locations
At the end of June and beginning of July, AMC Theatres closed its two Knoxville locations.
The first was the East Towne theater, followed by the North Peters Road theater.
The AMC Classic East Towne 10 property was sold to EMK Investments, based in Franklin. The owners have expertise in apartment buildings, which matches what former employees said was going to replace the movie theater.
SmashCity Knoxville opens new location
SmashCity Knoxville opened in its new location at 211 S. Central St., the former home of OliBea.
Owners Paul and Ashley Moody exited Marble City Market food hall at the end of July. They managed the food hall and operated SmashCity Knoxville inside, but have ceased those operations.
The restaurant serves its famous smash burgers all day.
Ethos Skateshop plans to cultivate skating culture in Knoxville
Photographer Eli Johnson has three passions: music, photography and skating.
That's why he's planning on opening a new store called Ethos Skateshop in Knoxville.
"Though Knoxville has a vibrant skate scene, I've always felt that it's missing the kind of space that cultivates that sense of belonging and connection to the larger skate community," Johnson wrote on Instagram on Aug. 5. "I've decided to invest my energy in creating a home for skateboarding here, and I am so excited to announce my new venture: @ethosskateshop."
Johnson is also on the board for the Northstar Foundation, founded by chef Hux Jones. The nonprofit is planning to build a skate park and community center in North Knoxville.
Crave865 serves gourmet hot dogs on the Strip
Crave865 opened its restaurant portion July 17, but it will expand to include nightlife after its grand opening Aug. 26.
The restaurant serves gourmet hot dogs during the day, including the Pancho Lulu, made in the style of Mexican street corn with pico de gallo, roasted corn, avocado, mayo, parmesan, Tajin seasoning and lime.
Ian's Market opens on Gay Street, with a restaurant soon to follow
Ian's Market is a convenience store located at 145 S. Gay St. Knox News reporter Ryan Wilusz stopped by in July to check it out.
It sells items typical at convenience stores, including beer, lottery tickets and snacks.
A fast-casual Indian restaurant is planned to open next door.
Nauti K's brings nautical nonsense above the sea
As co-owners Kimberly Long and Kelsey Rose like to say, this woman-owned business is a "nauti" spot.
Nauti K's Riverside Bar and Grill is coming toVolunteer Cove Marinaat 3725 Maryville Pike by the end of the summer.
Long has been voted one of Knoxville's best bartenders several years in a row. While she handles the bar, Rose will manage the kitchen, serving up burgers, flatbread pizzas and seafood. And because it's located at the Volunteer Cove Marina, guests can expect to see boats on the water while they dine.
Cajun restaurant Fred Beans & Rice opens soon at Knox Brew Hub
Knox Brew Hub owner Zack Roskop is adding a new restaurant to the downtown bar, with a Cajun twist.
launches Aug. 15. It will replace the hot dog menu and will include grilled po'boys, salads, rice bowls and hot peel-and-eat shrimp.
Knox Brew Hub will operate a little differently at its 421 Union Ave. location once the restaurant opens. No food will be served Sunday evenings or Mondays.
Coffee & Chocolate expands with second location
The downtown cafe in Powell.
The location at 3531 W. Emory Road is scheduled to open Sept. 1. It will feature the same coffee and chocolates Knoxville loves, but with some new additions including frozen drinks, pastries and baked goods. It's also much bigger, with the capacity to seat about 25 people inside.
Keenan Thomasreports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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