Knoxville Marathon 2013

Posted on April 12, 2013 Written by 2 Comments
Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

It’s hard to know at the end of this week whether I should continue recounting last weekend or move the focus to the upcoming weekend. I’ll go with last weekend, but I must mention that this weekend is likely the biggest of the Dogwood Arts Festival, with the Arts and Crafts Festival on Market Square and throughout Krutch Park. The artisan works are phenomenal and the food tent, in which chefs prepare dishes with wine pairings, is one of my favorite single events of the year.

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Still, I must give a nod to last weekend’s Knoxville Marathon which drew several thousand people. The race has grown to include a 5K, Half-Marathon, Marathon and Marathon Relay. Urban Son-in-Law backed off to the half-marathon this year and many Urban Friends ran various other races. I think one reason for the massive crowds last weekend was the marathon, as a number of people came in from out of town or simply stayed downtown to enjoy the other events going on.

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists2, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists3, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I love the fact that a fitness-based event has become so big in the city. It also works beautifully to have so many great activities downtown to greet any out-of-town visitors. There is no way someone visited the city last weekend, encountered the beautiful weather, pianos on the square, Chalk Walk, First Friday, Rhythm and Blooms and came away with anything other than a very positive impression of what is happening here. They also spent time and money in the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday.

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

The starting line and staging area always attract me. Nerves jangle about at every turn, runners giddy with excitement warm up maybe a bit too much. Proud families wish their loved ones well. The mayor spoke at this year’s opening and the national anthem makes any sporting fan’s blood reach a quick boil of anticipation. Some are there to win, others to have fun and others simply to finish. Music pounds from a PA system as it will throughout the race as live bands play for the runners.

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I photographed eventual winner Wojciech Kopec (2:22:15) as he left the start line (red jersey above, number 2), but missed him at the twenty-five mile mark. I did catch Edward Tabut passing the UT Conference Center, heading into the final stretch. He was about three minutes behind first place. He also nearly left the course by not turning onto Locust, but a policeman yelled, pointed and Edward corrected his course.

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Edward Tabut, Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Third Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Third Place Runner, Bryan Morseman, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Stewart Ellington, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Abraham Kogo, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

About four minutes behind him was Bryan Moresman in third and I really felt for the next two guys as I photographed them leaving Market Square. They ran within steps of each other around the twenty-four mile mark and clearly, they would battle to the finish line. In the end, while Stewart Ellington (No. 6) lead by a few yards at that point, Abraham Kogo (No. 3) would pass him in the end to win fourth place. Two seconds separated them at the finish line. You can find complete results here.

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Others would pass through downtown on into the afternoon. In fact, Urban Son-in-Law spotted a couple going through around 4:00, well after the official times have stopped. It reminds me of Cake’s awesome song, “The Distance.” All that matters at that point is finishing. And whether anyone else knows or acknowledges the fact, you know. It has to feel good. I never made it to the complete marathon and I admire those who do.

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Construction Updates!

Posted on March 15, 2012 Written by 3 Comments
Interior construction of The Tree and the Vine, Union Avenue, Knoxville

There are a number of widely anticipated renovation and rehabilitation projects going on downtown and some of the changes have been quite remarkable the last few days. In fact, things are moving so quickly I had to return to the square for more pictures before I could write this post because overnight the view of one of the sites changed dramatically.

New Shops at Union under construction, Knoxville, March 2012

I recently profiled The Tree and Vine and wrote about their pending arrival, hopefully by June, in the New Union Shops. Work has exploded on the site with the dark windows removed from the facades across the front of the building and concrete covering most of the interior floors, which had been dirt and rock since the structure was built. Studs have also gone up separating the various storefronts. At this point there is nothing official to report regarding additional tenants, though conversations are continuing.

Scaffolding outside the pending site for Tupelo Honey, Knoxville, March 2012

View of the Southwest corner of Market Square, March 2012

Just down the street in the Oliver (Kerns Building), construction has begun in earnest on what will become a restaurant and will house Tupelo Honey. The same time table is in place as for the Tree and the Vine, so the work has taken an urgency. The rotten window seats have been replaced with brick and wonderfully matching brick columns have been added.

Brick being laid for Tupelo Honey

Hard to recognize with the awning gone – 1 Market Square, March 2012

After the initial pictures were taken, I returned the next day to find that the awning had been removed, which totally changes the look of the place. There has been some discussion of an enclosed area in the front, which has since been questioned and I think they’ve backed away from the idea.

Across the street, not much seems to be happening, but yesterday, Josh Flory reported what has widely been rumored: Urban Outfitters is back in the conversation. They’ve gone so far as to submit a proposal to the Downtown Design Review Board, so that sounds more than promising. While it isn’t a store in which I would likely make many purchases, I’ve come to understand what it adds to our mix and I think it is pretty exciting. It was unclear from the article whether they would be in the first floor only or also on the second floor.

409 Gay Street under construction

Closer view of 409 Gay Street

Finally, down the street and around the corner, an interesting store front is taking shape at 409 S. Gay. It’s right next door to Downtown Wine and Spirits with which it shares an owner. I’ve been asking questions about the storefront for the last two years and I’ve gotten answers all over the map, from a bakery to a cheese shop to a book store (before the advent of Union Avenue Books). I was once told it might be a cheese and  book store. At this time, I’m not getting a clear indication of what might be destined for the spot, but I’m being told it will be soon and it will be cool. I’ll let you know when they let me know!

“Now Hiring” sign for Skye Bar

Also noted, is a “hiring” sign in the window just a few doors down in what will become Skye Bar. Those types of signs haven’t been very common in quite a while and it is nice to see some springing up.

So, there is quite the buzz around the heart of the city. Spring seems to be delivering a steady stream of exciting new business news. Let me know if you have a story that is ready for the telling. We’re all waiting.

Filed Under: 409 S. Gay Street, Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blogs, Kerns Building, Knoxville Tennessee, knoxville tennessee blogs, New Union Shops, Skye Bar, The Tree and Vine, Tupelo Honey, Urban Outfitter

Urban Outfitters Pauses in Knoxville

Posted on October 27, 2011 Written by Leave a Comment
Cool, but friendly Urban Outfitters, Knoxville, October 2011

It was an odd sight at the corner of Church and Gay earlier this week. A make-shift barricade segmented a portion of the parking lot which was thereby pronounced a retail establishment open for business. A small sign on the sidewalk beside Gay Street declared that Urban Outfitters, after an unrequited flirtation with a permanent presence in the city opted inside for a drive-by.


Sign on Gay Street Sidewalk, Knoxville



Uber Cool Stuff for Uber Cool People

I clearly didn’t fit the demographic for which the display was so finely arrayed, so the fact that some of the way-cooler-than-I’ll-ever-be people on the premises were friendly enough to talk to me was a bonus. My primary question, however, was whether this brief foray constituted a market probe of any sort, and to that I got a clear non-response.



Dishing out the Goods, Urban Outfitters Mobile Lab

The merchandise offered by the variously tattooed, pierced and totally awesome young people was out of the extreme reaches of my fashion world. Sunglasses and clothing were strewn about as were oddities like Instamatic cameras and headphones. The entire experience was a bit surreal, but the young people were upbeat and pronounced the visit a “success!” The tour includes college towns not otherwise served by the company.

Urban Outfitters’ Mobile Home, Knoxville, October 2011

Shoppers at Urban Outfitters Mobile Fashion Response Unit

I spoke to a policeman who assured me there had been no incidents of concern. He specializes in that sort of thing, as his regular gig is the East Tennessee History Center where he only  need be concerned with occasional visits from that scruffy citizen Jack Neely. He did mention that he sometimes works at the public library which has seen a recent influx of trouble-making students from the STEM Academy waving their Ipods all about. I could only shudder to think.

Get your lavender soda on the way out!

The tour is sponsored by the Dry Soda Company, which seemed odd for a corporation to have a corporate sponsor. The drink flavors offered didn’t make me particularly thirsty, with their rhubarb, cucumber and blood orange blends.

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Filed Under: Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blogs, Dry Soda, Knoxville Blogs, Knoxville Tennessee, Urban Outfitter

Jewelry Here, Graffiti Gone

Posted on September 1, 2010 Written by 4 Comments

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.
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Filed Under: 36 Market Square, 37 Market Square, Andie Ray, Arnstein Building, Businesses, Fizz, Graffiti Wall, Katheryn Rouse, Knoxville Tennessee, Mercury Lounge, Scream, Urban Outfitter, Vagabondia