Shopper News blog: Small West Knoxville parks bear links to city's past
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BEARDEN
Small West Knoxville parks bear links to city's past
John Shearer, Shopper News
Although it is in the northern part of immediate West Knoxville, West View Park seems at a glance to be hidden away from its Sutherland Avenue and greater Bearden area neighbors only five minutes or so away.
This is partly because it is just on the north side of Interstate 40.
And nearby Buck Toms Park might hardly even get noticed by those a block or two away due to its apparent lack of man-made park amenities.
But they both gain attention in the larger preservation realm as protected green space totaling nearly 25 acres in a city continuing to urbanize.
As the Shopper News continues its periodic look at smaller parks around or close to the greater Bearden area, a glance at West View Park shows an area seemingly frozen in time. Located off Keith Avenue in the area not too far behind the visible Pepsi bottling facility off Middlebrook Pike, its 5.53 acres appear to date back decades.
This look is not only because of the apparent age of the mostly modest homes that surround it, but also due to the fact that some of the features, including some heavy-duty metal swing sets, are vintage. An apparent former water fountain built of rock looks pre-World War II, as does a square elevated bed that was either for flowers or perhaps was even a sandbox for children.
The hauntingly pretty Crestview Cemetery across Keith Avenue, one of several smaller cemeteries within a short distance of this area, adds to this historic charm, as does an old set of concrete steps leading to a neighborhood street in the other direction.
Of the other Bearden area public parks, this one appears to be a close cousin in look to the previously highlighted Whitlow-Logan Park, although West View is slightly larger. The comparison seems to be in the large diversity of hardwood trees featured.
A number of dogwood trees – which at one place are uniquely lined up in a straight line like soldiers and show they were planted by humans instead of nature – give a pretty accent to the park and likely draw people in April.
Right now, the park would have to be considered a destination place for squirrels, as several black walnut and hickory trees were full of nuts as of last week.
This park that slopes toward the middle has a paved walking trail that goes past two larger pavilions and one gazebo-like shelter. Playground equipment is scattered throughout the park.
City of Knoxville parks and greenways coordinator Tim Hester said the park is well received in that part of town.
“It’s a pretty nice park,” he said. “It is primarily used by the neighborhood. It is still relatively small.”
A short distance west near Liberty Street and Sanderson Road is Buck Toms Park. It consists of 18.34 acres, including a sloping field of around 5 acres, and was given to the city of Knoxville as a place for the nearby children of the Lonsdale community to play.
On the edge of the park space – which seems to be calling out for picnic tables, at least on the Richmond Hill Road side – is the interesting and older Gethsemane Primitive Baptist Church.
Details of the park’s history could not be uncovered after a quick online search, but William Perry “Buck” Toms was an executive with a number of industries and other business firms in Knoxville and in other cities.
He also wrote the first city of Knoxville manager charter and was interested in the well-being of young people, which led to his starting the first Boy Scout troop in East Tennessee. The Boy Scout camp on Watts Bar Lake in Roane County is named for him.
Before his death in 1965 at the age of 80, he started the nonprofit Toms Foundation, and some of his former antique furnishings are at the Toms Foundation-owned Crescent Bend historic property on Kingston Pike near the University of Tennessee.
The park named for him, on the other hand, has only minimal furnishings, and Hester said that is partly by design.
“Buck Toms Park is a passive space,” he said, praising the fact it is named for a popular Knoxville resident of yesteryear. “Of the two parks, I would say West View gets significantly higher use.”
While the variety of trees make West View a draw in both spring and fall, the trees at Buck Toms might make it more of an attraction in the winter, when the sloping wooded area can be more easily traversed.
Combined, the two lower-profile parks make for year-round enjoyment in a part of West Knoxville not too far from downtown.
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FARRAGUT
Soap 'makery' cleans up in Turkey Creek
Margie Hagen, Shopper News
Want to up your soap and skincare game? One fresh new store has everything you need. Buff City Soap opened its doors Aug. 27, with scores of customers lined up an hour early. With a cascade of bubbles greeting them as they entered, the mood was set for shopping, and shop they did.
Inside the store, it was a treat for the senses. Filled with scented shower and beard oils, body butters, bath bombs, truffles, shower fizzies, face and body scrubs, and a host of other skin and hair care products, there’s even a soap specially formulated for dogs.
What makes it unique is that everything is made daily in-store from natural ingredients like coconut, palm, shea butter and essential oils. No preservatives, detergents or harsh chemicals are used. Called a “makery,” it can customize all products with over 25 paraben free fragrances, or combine them to create your own scent.
One of the most popular products is laundry soap. Yes, you read that right. Nearly every basket had at least one container. Customers Scott Hedge and Lance Stafford were there to stock up, with Hedge saying, “Sheets stay fresh and smell great for days, clothes too. I’ll never go back to regular store detergent.” In fact, don’t call it detergent; it’s plant-based soap.
The company started near Memphis in 2013 and quickly grew to 30 stores through franchising. This is the first one in the Knoxville area, but owner and Farragut resident Jamie Mason has plans to expand to the Powell area. With a background in franchise operations, he became interested in Buff City Soap, saying, “Each product is handcrafted in the store, and the ingredients have names you can actually pronounce.”
“Anyone looking for quality soap and skincare will find it here,” corporate marketing team partner Brittany Vick said. “Men make up a big part of our business. Once they try the products, they keep coming back.”
It does cost more than grocery or drugstore commercial brands, but according to longtime customer Susan Carver, “it’s worth it. The soap lasts a long time and leaves you with a really clean feel.”
Visit the store at 11277 Parkside Drive in the Pinnacle at Turkey Creek (next to Victoria’s Secret) or call 865-288-4006. Follow on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. You can also order online at buffcitysoap.com.
SOUTH
Community meeting at Ijams answers some questions
Ali James, Shopper News
Ijams Nature Center was an idyllic location for a socially distant South Knoxville community update Aug. 22. To adhere to safety guidelines, organizers limited attendance to 25 people, required masks and spaced out seating.
Adam Fritts, board member and representative of South Knoxville Business Alliance and Community School Director with The Knox Education Foundation, opened the meeting.
“The things we do and share are because we care about each other,” said Fritts. “We care about it because we live here or heard about it and moved here as fast as we could. I think this is a really good way to find out what’s coming up.”
Taking turns to update the community were City Councilman Tommy Smith and school board representative Kristi Kristy. Attending via Zoom were County Commissioner Carson Dailey and other interested members of the public. They also asked questions via an online chat feature.
Sevier Avenue streetscaping project
Smith said they are working with neighbors during the right-of-way phase of the project. “The first phase of construction will be in the fall – putting the utilities underground,” he said. “In the spring or summer, they will commence work on the roundabout where Sevier Avenue ends. The area couldn’t get busier and it’s continuing to get more traffic.”
Urban Wilderness Gateway Park
A behind-the-scenes walking tour of the space is planned for September or early October. “It’s one thing to see a map, but it’s another to do a walking tour,” said Smith. “You will be able to see the vision and get a feel for it.”
Work on the infrastructure – including bike lanes and sidewalks to access the gateway park – should be completed by the end of 2020. “We will start the amenities, playscapes, bathrooms and facilities next year,” he said. “It’s a really special asset, not just for South Knoxville.”
More access to river?
Smith mentioned that it has been 15 years since the Knoxville South Waterfront Vision Plan was adopted in 2006, which was a long-term improvement strategy for the three-mile shoreline of the Tennessee River directly south of downtown Knoxville.
“The purpose was to think about our river like we do trails, biking and walking lanes,” he said. “It is worth another look at what adjustments need to be made – to have a community event where we dream of more access points for recreational access to the river.”
Back to school
Next, Kristy stepped up to “address the elephant in the room.” “We don’t know how long we will be in school,” she said, referring to administrators’ accelerated efforts to get students and teachers up to speed with the new one-to-one technology, should the school system go to code red.
“Body temperature scanners have been installed at the schools and can read 50-70 temperatures a minute,” said Kristy. “A mask requirement for everyone coming into the building, enhanced cleaning, and the superintendent will put (COVID) metrics on the website starting Aug. 24. As far as schools go, we had 3,700 – 68% – of South Knoxville students choose in-person schooling. Most of our elementary virtual classes will be done at the school level or by pairing with other South Knoxville schools.”
Kristy also noted that new pavement has been completed in front of South-Doyle Middle School.
South-Doyle High School bridge
Kristy had recently attended a meeting among the school system, engineers and the public works department to discuss the planned pedestrian bridge to connect both South-Doyle High School campuses. Construction is due to start Sept. 7 and completed by May 10. “It is probably a good school year to do this because we won’t be in school every day and it will make the campus more secure,” she said.
Dailey gave a roundup of ongoing projects. As part of Knox County’s Pavement Management System, Dailey said a “Ghostbuster”-like van had been driving the South Knoxville roads using radars and sensors to collect data on the conditions of the roads. “We are getting ready to repave Tipton Station Road and make other road repairs,” he said.
Lakemoor Hills beautification
A landscape program to enhance the Lakemoor Hills neighborhood at the Alcoa Highway entrance is still in the planning and funding phase.
John Sevier Highway Bridge Project
Dailey said that once the bridge is completed at Alcoa Highway there will be no stopping at that intersection and that the project was on track for completion in late 2023.
John Sevier Scenic Highway Corridor
Dailey said a study had been completed and that the committee was due to reconvene in March to start setting standards for managing the development along the corridor. The study included recommendations on billboards, junkyards, limits on building heights and setbacks and landscaping recommendations.
Baker Creek Bottoms
There was little news on the Baker Creek Bottoms private property project. The plans for a multipurpose property with an outdoor climbing gym, restaurant, bike shop and hotel were still in the works, but reliant on financing.
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KNOXVILLE
Knoxville Catholic volleyball girls aim high
Nancy Anderson, Shopper News
With high hopes of winning the state championship this year, Knoxville Catholic High School girls volleyball team shut out Webb School on Aug. 18, taking three sets, 25-12, 25-22, and 25-12.
"Ultimately, the game of volleyball is won by the team that serves and passes the best. This time around that was us. We’re really good at serving and passing,” said Coach Brent Carter.
“Webb is a really young team, even younger than us. They have a really good program, but we had just a little more experience."
The team is young this year with 14 varsity players: two are seniors, two are juniors, the rest are freshmen and sophomores. Eight seniors graduated last year.
“We are a young team, but you’d never know it. We’ve got some great senior leadership, and many of the players are college bound.”
Senior Cassie Kuerschen is the team’s secret weapon. She is team libero, (a designated back row player and frequently the best passer on the team. The libero wears a contrasting uniform.) Last year, Kuerschen was PrepXtra Player of the Year and 5Star Preps Player of the Year. She has committed to UT.
“Kuerschen is great to have on the floor,” said Carter. “She’s an even better teammate. She is constantly encouraging others.”
Carter said the whole team was highly competitive, but also cohesive.
“I run the program at Knoxville Catholic like a small college program. The expectation that we put on ourselves and our coaching staff is very high. We expect to be competitive nationally, not just locally. When kids come into the program, they know they’re going to train harder than they’ve ever trained before and they’re going to learn a lot. It brings out the best in all the players that choose to stick around.”
Last year the team finished runner up in the state.
“We’ve made the state championship final every year for the last five years. Last year we lost it, but I have high hopes for this year. We’re winning a lot right now and having fun. With a young team like this one, we’ll do even better when the players are more seasoned. They’re pretty phenomenal right now, though, so hopefully we can bring home the championship this year. That’s our goal.”
Carter graduated from Murray State University in 1993 with a double major in Marketing and Organizational Communication.
He has been coaching volleyball 18 years, six at Knoxville Catholic.
POWELL
She's not your customary windows-business owner
Al Lesar, Shopper News
Talking the talk is a big part of being accepted.
That’s been a struggle for Emily Fisher, but she’s getting better at it.
Fisher is a 25-year-old Central High School graduate who has been obsessed about making it big in a business realm dominated by men.
With a 4.0 GPA, she graduated a semester early but never really embraced her short time in college.
“I spent a lot of time as a server and a bartender,” Fisher said of her time between high school and her new business. “I learned about dealing with people. I practiced my customer service voice.”
Fisher knew there would be a bigger payoff down the road. It finally happened this summer, in the midst of a pandemic, when, as owner, Fisher opened Custom Windows & More (7428 Clinton Highway) behind the old Weigel’s in Powell.
Her business, which had its grand opening July 11, is a place to go for windows, flooring, siding, roofs, decks and, as the name says, more.
“Sometimes it’s hard for people to take me seriously because I’m a woman and so young,” she said. “That aggravates me more than anything. Once I talk with them and let them see that I know what I’m talking about, they get confidence in me.”
Role model
It's a one-woman show that Fisher is running. She runs the showroom, handles all the accounting needs, does scheduling and everything else that happens to come along.
“The hardest part of running this business has been keeping up with everything,” Fisher said. “I’ve always had the dream to be my own boss. I don’t like taking orders and I can handle the responsibility.”
Fisher has been able to assume the leadership role in the company because of the lessons she learned from her father. Dale Fisher is a jack of all trades who owns Modern Outdoor Advertising, a company that puts up billboard signs around Knoxville.
“The best advice my dad gave me was to be picky (about my customers),” Fisher said. “Always tell the truth, no matter who you’re dealing with. Don’t lie. If there’s something they want you to do but you can’t do it, be honest.”
No regrets
At one point, Custom Windows & More was on the fast track to open in January. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, it was obvious to Fisher it wasn’t the right time.
Though there are manufacturing delays in nearly every product that Fisher sells and her service team installs, she said this has been a good time for her business.
“People are sitting at home looking at that old window that needs to be replaced,” Fisher said. “People are spending more time at home; they want to make improvements or add on that deck.
“Being a family-owned business, I’m not in any hurry to get someone’s money. I want to get their heart first. I want to get to know them, find out their personality, and figure out how what they want can be a part of them.”
Fisher doesn’t regret missing out on the last semester of her high school experience or bypassing college to get into the business world.
“Honestly, I’m so happy with where I’m at right now,” she said. “I’m completely dedicated to something I’ve always wanted to do.
“The amount of work can be overwhelming in the beginning; you wake up every day wondering if you can do it. You’ve gotta want it to keep from stopping.”
For more information, contact Fisher at 865-947-0168 or customwindows2020@gmail.com.
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HALLS/FOUNTAIN CITY
Mom and daughters open North Broadway boutique
Ali James, Shopper News
During quarantine, Michelle Mears and her daughters, Gracie Mears and Makenzie Leslie, reflected that what they missed most was being together and celebrating the little and the big things.
The trio had dreamed of opening a business together, perhaps a mobile boutique, so when the “For Lease” sign went up outside a former vacuum repair store in Fountain City, Michelle Mears said it was a sign that was meant to be. “We signed the lease and it all just came together,” said Mears.
Gracie Lee’s Gifts & More boutique – named after the sisters’ first and middle names – will celebrate its grand opening 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. “We will have a ‘sip and see’,” said Leslie. “The first 50 people will be given a goodie bag when they arrive, the balloon bar will be set up and the Flourish Flower Truck will be here as well.”
The trio started sourcing store merchandise in June and redecorating the interior of the space on Aug. 9. “We had everything stored in our dining room,” laughed Leslie, adding that it’s been like Christmas opening up all of the boxes and arranging it in their new store.
“We have things to celebrate every milestone, from babies to graduation and beyond,” said Michelle Mears. “Celebrating weddings, the different holidays with the people you love.”
Real estate agent Michelle Mears will continue helping her clients while she is a “not so silent” partner in the boutique.
“We all have full-time jobs but have come together to do this,” said Makenzie Leslie, who is a special education teacher at Brickey Elementary School. Sister Gracie Mears is pursuing a nursing degree full time at the University of Tennessee and still runs the makeup business that she started when she was a Halls High School student.
North Knoxville residents will soon be able to shop for apparel, home décor, jewelry, baby and wedding gifts as well as party décor.
Each of the women has focused on an area of the shop that plays to her strengths and passions.
Gracie Mears buys the apparel and jewelry. “I wanted to bring something to Knoxville that we haven’t seen outside the bigger cities before, and all at different price points,” she said.
Leslie said she brings the sparkle, confetti and balloons for celebrations. “I will have a custom balloon bar and you can customize celebratory balloon bouquets,” she said.
There will be a big emphasis on the gift-wrapping experience. “You can come in and pick out a gift or we can help put something together for any event or person in your life and have it wrapped to go – even add a couple of balloons,” said Gracie Mears.
The store is filled with items made by small – and often local and female-owned – businesses, including a limited edition soap made just for Gracie Lee’s. “The girls have tied it all back to our community and supporting other small businesses,” said Michelle Mears.
“The space speaks for itself,” said Leslie. “We wanted to play into the exposed brick and add our own touches such as the box hedge wall for Instagram.”
They plan to make the most of the highly visible storefront windows with eye-catching displays and hand-painted signs. “How could you not play into those windows?” said Leslie.
“I love the sense of community,” said Michelle Mears, a lifelong Halls resident. An artist will soon start work on a “Welcome to Fountain City”-themed mural on the north side of the building. Gracie Lee’s will also sell North Knoxville- and Fountain City-themed art, stickers, pillows, coffee cups, tea towels and sweatshirts.
More: Gracie Lee’s Gifts & More, 5435 N. Broadway Street, Instagram.com/@gracieleesgiftsandmore, Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
FARRAGUT
Short-term rentals, brewpubs and a park were in play at BOMA
Margie Hagen, Shopper News
The workshop on short-term rentals held prior to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on Aug. 27 was brief, due to the absence of Alderman Scott Meyer. He had requested discussion on the subject, but a personal emergency prevented him from attending.
In 2019, the Town passed an ordinance prohibiting short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO in all zoning districts. A grandfather clause allowing existing rentals to continue to operate has one provision: Owners would have had to been operating legally and hold a Farragut Business Privilege License as of June 27, 2019.
Of the handful of short-term rental businesses in town, none hold or have held a license, so technically they are not grandfathered and not permitted.
As a courtesy to Meyer, the board agreed to postpone voting and allow him to present his case later. He’ll need a compelling argument and some documentation to prevail on this issue. “We’ve made it pretty clear,” Mayor Ron Williams said. “If you’re operating a business you need a license.”
The Admiral’s Landing brewpub was a go as the board approved an amendment on first reading to define and create the permit allowing it. The footprint will not exceed 7,500 square feet, and an automatic fire sprinkler system will be required. The Admiral Pub also got good news, as their request to expand was approved. They’ll now have a total of 4,500 square feet and can expand their business.
Trevor Hobbs has been crafting the ordinance and revised it several times at the direction of BOMA and the Planning Commission. “We’re confident that this ordinance reflects both the Town’s regulatory intent as well as the requests from the applicants,” he said.
If approved by the board on second reading, it will be full speed ahead for both Admirals.
New restaurant Dos Agaves plans to open in the old La Parrilla site in Turkey Creek sometime in September. The owner group now operates Azul Tequila on Kingston Pike, but their lease will be up soon and won’t be renewed. Look for your favorite Mexican dishes in the spacious Parkside Drive location; there’s an outdoor patio, too.
We love our parks in Farragut, and we might be getting another one next year. Blue Cross Blue Shield is providing 10 grants of $750,000 apiece in Tennessee as part of its 75th anniversary celebration and the Town has applied for consideration.
The grant is for an all-inclusive playground with a fitness station, community area with pavilion, a swing set and a play area with a merry-go-round, climbing station, slides and more. “They provide all the equipment, do the work and future maintenance,” Sue Stuhl said, adding, “It’s a very competitive grant.”
It’s not a done deal; the grants will be announced in the spring with construction to follow. If Farragut receives the grant, the active play park will be in the open space behind Town Hall.
OPINION
Missing the human connection
Leslie Snow, Shopper News columnist
Did you ever watch a how-to video online and think to yourself, that looks easy? Me too. That’s how I got started painting the kitchen cabinets in my mom and dad’s new house. I watched a couple videos, read a couple of articles, and thought to myself, “How hard can it be?” I actually uttered the sentence, “Even though I’ve never done it before, I’m kind of an expert on painting cabinets.” I was joking when I said it. But not really.
As it turns out, painting cabinets is harder than it looks. I’ve needed a lot of advice from the experts at my local paint store. Yesterday’s trip to talk about my primer problem was my fifth visit to the store in the past six days. That’s because they’re closed on Sundays.
The trip stood out to me, because when I walked into the store, I said, “It’s me again,” in a sheepish tone, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I have one more question about the primer I bought.” And to my surprise, the man I spoke with said, “I’m sorry, which primer? What project are you working on?”
I don’t consider myself particularly remarkable, but I had spoken to the man so many times over so few days, that I thought he would remember me. He showed me pictures of the cabinets he painted in his house. I showed him photos of my parents’ cabinets and picked his brain about the best shade of gray to use. We talked about high school football starting and our worries over the possibility that the coronavirus might spread in schools. We spent a lot of time together.
After I got some answers about the primer, I got into my car to head home. While I was driving, it occurred to me that the nice paint man probably didn’t recognize me because I was wearing a mask, and it was a different mask than the one I had worn on my previous visits. He didn’t know me because he had never really seen me before.
For me, that’s the hardest part about wearing a mask. It’s not the stuffy air I’m breathing or that my reading glasses are fogging up, it’s that I can’t connect with people the way I want to.
I used to chat with strangers in the produce aisle about how to cook spaghetti squash or how to pick a ripe watermelon. I used to talk about the weather with the lady in the bakery while she sliced the sesame bread I use to make toast in the morning. I made small talk with the nice woman at the bank when I deposited a check. I talked about Great Danes with the cashier at the pharmacy.
But I don’t do any of that anymore. There’s something about wearing a mask that makes people look away. We avert our eyes. We look at the ground. We don’t say hello. It’s what we do when we ride in the elevator with strangers, only we do it all the time now.
I’m going to keep wearing my mask and I hope you do to. Evidence shows it reduces the spread of the coronavirus, and that’s what we need to keep us healthy and to keep our economy growing.
But I miss talking to strangers. I miss smiling at people and getting a smile back in return. And I miss being recognized as the crazy lady who thought painting kitchen cabinets would be easy because she watched a couple of videos on YouTube.
Leslie Snow may be reached at snow column@aol.com.
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