Gone but not forgotten: Knoxville area restaurants and retailers we miss.

#3,476
#3,476
  • Like
Reactions: Ted, VolInNorthCack, MAD and 3 others
#3,488
#3,488
MAD said:
View attachment 764750
Closed in 1970
Click to expand...

Demolished a few years later. And the Esso station moved across Weisgarber to the HoJo spot before changing the name to Exxon. Then Krispy Kreme went into the old Esso spot (Charlie Nutzell’s service station).

I only learned a couple of years ago that Esso stood for SO. Standard Oil.
 
  • Like
Reactions: UT_Dutchman, CPA and MAD
#3,490
#3,490
Copper Cellar.... it's not gone but I went this past Sunday for brunch for my mom's birthday. First time I have been in a while. I don't live in Knoxville so I don't really have the opportunity to go too often but man... what in the world happened to that place. The food was meh at best and of course it was expensive. Anyone else have the same or similar experience lately?

I know they closed the location on Cumberland (which is the original right?)
 
  • Like
Reactions: feathersax, MAD and the_todd
#3,491
#3,491
Online rumors have it that WBIR's parent company, TEGNA, is being acquired by Nexstar, parent company of WATE. If this goes through, other rumors have it that Nexstar will combine WATE and WBIR and downsize and consolidate both stations' staffs. A possibility is that WBIR will buy out or early-retire the higher-paid anchors, so it may be the end of the era of John, Robin and Todd.

I'd sure hate to see it happen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: UT_Dutchman and MAD
#3,492
#3,492
Orangesmokey said:
Copper Cellar.... it's not gone but I went this past Sunday for brunch for my mom's birthday. First time I have been in a while. I don't live in Knoxville so I don't really have the opportunity to go too often but man... what in the world happened to that place. The food was meh at best and of course it was expensive. Anyone else have the same or similar experience lately?

I know they closed the location on Cumberland (which is the original right?)
Click to expand...
Yes, the original Copper Cellar was on Cumberland. There was a door at street level, and stairs leading down into the restaurant. I worked there in the 70s. At some point since then, Copper Cellar Corp acquired the space above and expanded the restaurant at street level. That location is now gone.

Copper Cellar West is still operating on Kingston Pike. I’ve not eaten at a Copper Cellar for 20 years. I cannot speak to their fare these days.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Orangesmokey, feathersax, MAD and 1 other person
#3,493
#3,493
Tin Man said:
Yes, the original Copper Cellar was on Cumberland. There was a door at street level, and stairs leading down into the restaurant. I worked there in the 70s. At some point since then, Copper Cellar Corp acquired the space above and expanded the restaurant at street level. That location is now gone.

Copper Cellar West is still operating on Kingston Pike. I’ve not eaten at a Copper Cellar for 20 years. I cannot speak to their fare these days.
Click to expand...
Is Cappachino still around on Kingston Pike? I think it was the same company as Copper Cellar. First place I took a girl on a date, I was 15. I think it was 1979.
 
#3,494
#3,494
MAD said:
Is Cappachino still around on Kingston Pike? I think it was the same company as Copper Cellar. First place I took a girl on a date, I was 15. I think it was 1979.
Click to expand...
Cappuccino’s is still operating at the Kingston Pike location. It first opened in 1977, and it is a Copper Cellar Corp restaurant.
 
  • Like
Reactions: feathersax and MAD
#3,496
#3,496
On the way home from my recent visit to Syracuse, NY and Chambersburg, PA, I stopped in Knoxville to cruise around the University area. The strip has completely changed. Multistory buildings crowd the street. Shops and restaurants all appear to be chains. Local, independent businesses seem a rarity. I’d appreciate some perspective from those living nearby. Any owner occupied residences in Fort Sanders? The elementary school on 22nd looks like it’s still occupied…
 
  • Like
Reactions: feathersax and MAD
#3,497
#3,497
Tin Man said:
On the way home from my recent visit to Syracuse, NY and Chambersburg, PA, I stopped in Knoxville to cruise around the University area. The strip has completely changed. Multistory buildings crowd the street. Shops and restaurants all appear to be chains. Local, independent businesses seem a rarity. I’d appreciate some perspective from those living nearby. Any owner occupied residences in Fort Sanders? The elementary school on 22nd looks like it’s still occupied…
Click to expand...
I don't live in Knoxville but my parents do and its my understanding that UT purchased a lot of that area to build student housing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MAD and Ted
#3,498
#3,498
Orangesmokey said:
Copper Cellar.... it's not gone but I went this past Sunday for brunch for my mom's birthday. First time I have been in a while. I don't live in Knoxville so I don't really have the opportunity to go too often but man... what in the world happened to that place. The food was meh at best and of course it was expensive. Anyone else have the same or similar experience lately?
Click to expand...

It seems that day-to-day consistency in food service at non-chain restaurants is harder to find.

This year, the past two times I've been to Copper Cellar, the food was fine. It's still one of the better places to eat here, if a bit pricey. The decor hasn't changed in years, and even if it's a bit dated now, I still enjoy it. It's nostalgic, as it is the same decor as the original location's "Down in the Cellar", which was the original restaurant.

Cappucino's is still co-located with Copper Cellar out in West Hills. Now, that place IS pricey.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MAD and Orangesmokey
#3,499
#3,499
Orangesmokey said:
I don't live in Knoxville but my parents do and its my understanding that UT purchased a lot of that area to build student housing.
Click to expand...

Most of it is Greystar owned high rises on the strip...

School has neglected student housing for a long time. They are finally playing a little bit of catch up...
 
  • Like
Reactions: MAD, Orangesmokey and Ted
#3,500
#3,500
Orangesmokey said:
I don't live in Knoxville but my parents do and its my understanding that UT purchased a lot of that area to build student housing.
Click to expand...
Actually, the real estate for the Cumberland Canyon was purchased by out-of-state developers that do that same kind of apartment building all over the country.

I do tend to believe that it was some kind of a joint project with UT. After all, Randy Boyd is the system president. He probably got some kind of a cut of the action.

Those of us who live in Kville and watched this stuff happen kind of shrug and say, "What can you do." I feel really sorry for the folks who haven't been here in years coming to campus. It looks almost completely different than it did 10-12 years ago, and I imagine it's quite the shock.

UT has another record enrollment this fall, and it looks like it's expected to continue to increase in the near future. Why they do not cap the enrollment is beyond me. The simplest explanation is that it's the money.

Between Randy Boyd and Indya Kincannon, Knoxville has become an overcrowded, bustling, modernizing version of the relatively quiet, genteel town we remember from the 70's. Knoxville is definitely not as friendly as it once was. So many people moving here..
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tin Man, MAD, UT_Dutchman and 1 other person
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top