Alex Culbreth and the Dead Country Stars, Market Square, Knoxville, February 2013
I’m not a fan of global warming in general, but the occasional warm day in February is kind of nice. I suppose it’s a guilty pleasure of sorts. Saturday was such a day. By the afternoon the temperatures had risen into the mid-fifties and people stirred about the streets shaking off the cold, wet weather we’ve had recently. Urban Girl declared that a bike ride suited her and, naturally, that’s what she got.
Urban Girl Takes a Winter Ride, Market Square, Knoxville, February 2013
Once we arrived at Market Square I could tell from one end to the other that we had a genuine busking situation. We always have buskers, of course, but they aren’t, shall we say, of a uniform quality. These guys reeked of talent from the first note I heard. Not surprisingly, they had gathered a crowd. I talked to Alex Culbreth and Joanna Smith after they played and learned that they are members of Alex Culbreth and the Dead Country Stars (awesome band name) from Fredericksburg, VA, and they had played the Blue Plate Special earlier that day.
The two of them decided to freelance while the rest of the band slept and they’d earned a few dollars from the appreciative crowd. They offered me an eponymous CD which I gratefully accepted. They call themselves “alt-country” and “Americana.” I’d say that’s true, but there is also a fair share of old time honky tonk classic country. I’ve enjoyed the CD quite a bit and hope to catch them down the line. The next stop for the band was Saturday night in Johnson City.
Tree Gators, Wall Avenue, Knoxville, February 2013
I also noted a few other things in the general area: For starters, watering bags on the trees lining Wall Avenue. It’s heartening to note the city can now afford to water all the trees in a spot since previously I’d noted only one tree in a group would be chosen to get the treatment (search for “tree gator” for the whole story). Odd that it comes on the heels of our wettest January since the 1880′s.
Sangria’s, Market Square, Knoxville, February 2013
I took a final picture of the space that was Sangria’s. It’s now for lease and a sad letter notes the demise of the restaurant. Urban Woman and I ate there only once. We didn’t think it was bad, but it wasn’t great and it seemed expensive to us, though we were eating more in those days and you can run up quite a bill without realizing it when you share small plates. The service also didn’t really seem that great on our one visit, so we just never made it back.
Scruffy City Cart, Market Square, Knoxville, February 2013
Urban Outfitters Sign on Market Street, Knoxville, February 2013
Also noted, a cart selling Scruffy City t-shirts and finally, I took a photograph of the Urban Outfitters banner. It seems to be actually happening. I hope to have more on that for you very soon. The number is on the banner, which I think you can read if you click on the photograph, for any of you interested in employment.
Beginnings of a new Floor, State Street Garage, Knoxville, February 2013
State Street Garage Construction, Knoxville, February 2013
I also walked over to the State Street Garage to see what was happening and found a portion of the new floor has been erected. It isn’t anchored together completely, but it is taking shape. I suspect this means the supports are finished and progress will come with increasing rapidity. As you can see from the juxtaposition of the family and the crane, that is one big crane.
Crane on State Street, Knoxville, February 2013
First Presbyterian Cemetery, Knoxville, February 2013
It is one big crane. Now that they only let people with monthly passes into the garage it’s easy to see how many there are. More than I would’ve guessed, and a lot more cars of daytime workers than overnight residents.
If you park in the garage and need access during the day, you get escorted through the construction zone. It is really quite comical.
It might be cool to have an escort. Maybe I’ll move my car to that garage sometime just to get the effect.
Just an idea, of course … but, why don’t you call “Urban Woman” “Urban Gal” … as in Guy and Gal
Interesting question. I don’t normally use the word “gal,” as it seems a little dismissive. Woman seems more powerful, somehow. I do use the word “guy.” Never thought about it, but interesting.
Speaking of nice weather, today is so sunny I decided to walk out to Magpies and see Emory Place along the way. Emory Place is surprisingly cool and it looks like there are some good condos there. A few nice row houses scattered nearby too. Unfortunately Magpies isn’t worth the walk. They were sold out of king cakes and everything else except thumbprint cookies and day-old mini cupcakes. Sad.
Glad you made it to Emory place and I agree – it’s a very cool spot. I could totally see it becoming a thriving residential center, though the proximity to KARM and the tendancy of homeless groups to encamp nearby would likely slow some folks down a bit. Too bad about Magpies. I’ve never actually been there though I’ve enjoyed some of their goodies. We avoided the King Cake as I barely could pull on my suit pants at Christmas and we’re trying to eat better.
I always hate to see any business go, and I ate lunch at Sangria’s just a couple months ago with a co-worker. The food was good, but it took forever for it to make it to the table, and one plate then had to be sent back because it was made wrong. Fortunately I wasn’t in a hurry, but most people don’t have nearly forty-five minutes to wait on their food. I will admit one of the owners was making right on a meal that wasn’t prepared correctly, which is admirable. At the same time though, checking out was a overly time consuming process as well. There were only perhaps a couple more tables of two or three during the time, and it was obvious they were staffing for low volume. I can only suspect they were already struggling, which is sad but it is seemingly difficult the survive the slower winter months. I think this is especially true of the local non-established businesses. When is Shonos scheduled to reopen?
I hate it, too. Our single experience is nothing to judge by and it was a long time ago, but there is a lot of competition downtown and the little things like wait and getting orders right really matter. I’m not sure on Shonos. Ironically, that’s a place I’ve never eaten. I intend to when they re-open.
Give “Eddies Special” a try! This has always been my most favorite dish there, and my wife’s as well. When the business changed hands it disappeared off the menu, but apparently popular demand brought it back.
I, too, am sorry to see any business downtown close as Sangria has, especially one that offers a different cuisine. There’s a little too much uniformity as it is.
However, I went there only twice; and the second time was only to give them another chance to do better. I like the idea of small plates/tapas, but they seemed to never be able to master the execution. Also, they had very few vegetarian-friendly options, which made it difficult for a mixed group. And, they were horribly slow. Overall, the whole experience there just seemed unprofessional. Still hoping for some more diverse dining options downtown…plus no one has yet managed to fill the niche for the “memorable meal spot.”
I would like Indian food downtown, it’s my fav.
I am really excited for Urban Outfitters. Huge plus for downtown and Knoxville as whole IMO.
I would like to see Indian food downtown, also and a host of other ethnic foods. That really seems to me like something that’s missing. I agree Urban Outfitters may be a huge draw and good things may happen in response.