New Business Opens Downtown: Southland Lakefront and Mountain Properties

Posted on November 5, 2012 Written by 1 Comment

Southland Lakefront and Mountain Properties, Union Avenue, Knoxville, November 2012

For the first three years I lived in downtown Knoxville, the strip of (potential) shops on the 400 block of Union Avenue consisted of nothing more than one business and a long strip of dark windows looking into a dirt floor. I often walked past the end of the Market Square Garage and gave little thought to the empty spaces there, accepting the gaps in activity along our streets as part of the reality of the city.

Fortunately, David Dewhirst and others didn’t accept this reality. Having already successfully rehabilitated the 500 block of the same street with his work in the Daylight Building, he purchased the street-level portion of this empty section of Union Avenue and began the work that would connect his Daylight Building and its nascent businesses with the newly renovated Hotel Oliver and, ultimately, to Market Square.

After preparing the spaces for tenants and opening the first three of four, it is big news that the last of these spaces have been filled. The final spot in the store-front spaces went to an unlikely business, at least in my mind for an urban area: a business selling property outside the city. It’s an interesting idea when you consider that the movement in our area is into the city, rather than the other way around.

Making Happy at Southland Lakefront and Mountain Properties, Union Avenue, Knoxville, November 2012

I stopped in on Friday night to an impossibly packed grand opening. With free food and wine, that’s not a hard feat to accomplish, so I returned to unravel the thinking behind such a move. I wasn’t fortunate enough to meet the owner, Samuel Pinner, but I spoke to the young women working the desk and got a pretty good idea of what will be offered and why the move downtown. Both are interesting.

The offering won’t be quite as dramatic as I had thought: it’s likely there will not be an agent present, but rather the person working the office will gather information from interested customers who will later be contacted by an agent. Still, the plan is to have actual listings displayed in the windows so that anyone passing by might have their eye caught by a property in which they would be interested.

Southland Lakefront and Mountain Properties, Union Avenue, Knoxville, November 2012

Southland Lakefront and Mountain Properties, Union Avenue, Knoxville, November 2012

 

As to the question of why the move downtown, this is what I found interesting: It’s because of the foot traffic. They already have an office in west Knoxville, but knew this one would be more visible. Would anyone have imagined a business moving into the city for that reason ten or fifteen years ago? If we’ve gotten to the point that business looking for exposure to people are thinking of downtown, we may just have turned  a corner.

So, if you are a downtown or suburban resident interested in having property outside the city, you might want to drop in and see what they have available. I can see downtown residents who would want a place to get away from the city and, in fact, I know several who have a city home and a mountain home. I can also imagine people visiting our area who like Knoxville enough to be interested in living in the area, but prefer to live outside the city.

 

Southland Lakefront and Mountain Properties, Union Avenue, Knoxville, November 2012

Whether this particular business interests you, something very good happened in the city this week as another block that was once largely devoid of life becomes yet another vibrant area of our downtown. Taken together, the two blocks of Union Avenue, as they have re-developed, have added tremendously to the variety of retail establishments present in the city. The Daylight Building not only offers residences, but a stationary design studio (The Happy Envelope), a repeat clothing boutique (Reruns), a book store (Union Avenue Books), a grocery store (Just Ripe) and a photography studio (John Black Photography). Now the New Union Shops have added an olive oil and vinegar store (The Tree and Vine), a clothing store (Nothing Too Fancy), a real estate store front and a craft beer pub (The Casual Pint).

If downtown is able to continue attracting such an amazing variety of businesses in future developments, the city should be on secure footing as it moves forward. These are the businesses which make life in the city more livable and which will, in turn, bring more people downtown. Of course, more people downtown makes the center city a more appealing place for new businesses and so the momentum continues.

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Business and Construction Update for Early July

Posted on July 2, 2012 Written by 6 Comments

Near Completed Awning at New Union Shops, Knoxville, June 2012

The dog days of summer certainly have settled on the city. With temperatures passing the century mark I’m tempted to stay inside until Autumn. Observing the city from the air-conditioned comforts of my home, it appears I’m not the only one who has pulled back a bit. The streets seem just  a little less traveled and those who brave the heat on foot seem to move at  a slow, determined pace wearing grim expressions.

JC Penney Building, Gay Street, Knoxville, June 2012

Despite the lethargy of downtown residents, construction workers, developers and business owners continue to plunge ahead with a number of projects. Probably the most exciting news circulating, as reported on Josh Flory’s Property Scope Blog, is that the JC Penney Building is currently undergoing a spruce-up with the idea that a sale and a tenant may be on the near horizon. The article quotes David Dewhirst as saying he has a specific client in mind which would have a huge impact on downtown. As always, we have to remember that some of these things work and some do not. Still, it’s encouraging to have a possibility. I was happy to read that the arches will, indeed, become windows. It could be very attractive.

Kimberly Clark (from the back), Knoxville, June 2012

Josh also reported that the Kimberly Clark Building has been sold to a local developer, Fred Langley, who purchased the building for about 3.5 million dollars, which is several million less than Kimberly Clark paid a few years back. It’s interesting that a company would want to move badly enough to lose that much money. Given that additional parking seems to be on the way, what is the rationale? Langley appears to be confident that he can attract additional businesses.

36 Market Square, Knoxville, 2012

On a smaller scale, there are several additional developments of note. 36 Market Square will soon have units available for rent. Descriptions and prices are posted in the window of the building. I think they are stunningly low given the location and the amenities I’m told will be included. I hope to have photographs of the interiors as they near completion. The bottom floor, as everyone knows, will be Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, which is slated to open in August, which is a shame, given the current heatwave. Incidentally, I overheard a young couple standing virtually in the shadow of the Market Square Garage saying how cool to live in the condos in 36 Market Square, but “where would you ever find a parking space?”

Construction at New Union Shops, Knoxville, May 2012

Action Shot – Construction at New Union Shops, Knoxville, May 2012

Dangling feet – Construction at New Union Shops, Knoxville, May 2012

While remarkable changes continue in the New Union Shops, it seems to drag. Originally the first of the shops were to open in June, none have made it, yet. The Tree and the Vine is taking shape pretty quickly and may wind up being first. I’m told Nothing Too Fancy is eyeing an August opening. Hopefully I’ll be able to give you a little preview of that very soon. The Casual Pint seems to have quite a way to go and, as far as I know, the other space is still open. The facade and the new awning look great and I’ll appreciate the coverage every time I walk past in the rain – or blazing heat.

Construction of Awning at New Union Shops, Knoxville, June 2012

My understanding from Cynthia Moxley’s Blue Streak Blog is that Tupelo Honey won’t open until September, which is considerably off what was originally hoped. I’m sure it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, the facade on that building is beautiful. Any of us who remember walking by when it was the Market Square Kitchen remember the rotting wood that lined the windows. That lining is now made of copper, the new brickwork looks great and the earth tone colors stretching around the corner and incorporating Shono’s really make that corner pop. I assume there will be an awning, soon.

New Kerns Building Facade, Knoxville, June 2012

Finally, a little transportation news: Rickshaws appear to be on their way to downtown. Read about the details here. Also on that front, I’ll note that Megabus really seems to be here to stay. I’d be worried if my first name was Greyhound. The fares for Megabus have gone up, but are still cheaper than gas for a car – and they drive the bus. They’ve shifted almost exclusively to double-deckers and I’ve really enjoyed my trips. My only two complaints: Slow-to-no Internet and freezing on-board temperatures. Still, instead of spending my Sunday morning holding a steering wheel, my Internet connection was good enough to allow me to write this post, so there you go!

Megabus to Knoxville, July 2012

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