News Roundup | Another church becomes a restaurant
Here’s your weekly roundup of business news from throughout the Knoxville region.
First business opens at Baker Creek Bottoms
After years of talks of turning an old South Knoxville church complex into a thriving bunch of businesses, it’s finally happening.
New restaurant 17South had its soft opening last weekend, turning an old worship hall into a trendy new Americana restaurant. It’s the first of several businesses that will call Baker Creek Bottoms home. The new community of businesses is located at 3726 Sevier Heights Road near Baker Creek Preserve.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports two more businesses are slotted to open or begin renovations soon. Those are Bear Paw Bikes and Crafty Bastard Brewery. This would be Crafty’s third Knoxville location.
These are precisely the types of businesses developers were hoping for, as they’ll cater to the mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts who frequent the trails at Baker Creek Preserve.
Adult-only dog park bar opens in Oak Ridge
Most breweries gladly welcome dogs, but this new bar in Oak Ridge makes your furry friend the top customer.
The Backyard is a new dog park and bar opening this weekend in Oak Ridge. Humans age 18 and up can come to the bar while their dogs play in a fenced-in dog park area.
It’s run by The Houndry, a doggy daycare that opened in 2016. In 2020, it became a dog adventure company offering daily group hikes. The owners bought just over four acres of land in 2020 to begin working on a dog park and beer garden, which is now open.
Dogs must be vaccinated and fixed depending on age. The entry fee is $8 per dog, humans get in free! View all the rules and regulations here.
Knoxville Mayor announces date for State of the City Address
On Wednesday, April 26, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon will unveil her 2023-24 budget during her State of the City Address.
The address and luncheon will be at 1800 Vermont Ave in the Western Heights/Beaumont community. That’s the site of the “Transforming Western” initiative, a more than $200 million collaborative plan to revamp, renew and reconnect Knoxville’s largest public housing community.
During this year’s address, the Mayor will be celebrating the many great spaces in the city and thanking all of those who work to create and maintain them.
A brown bag lunch will be provided to guests who pre-register. To RSVP, please call the City’s 3-1-1 line (3-1-1 or 865-215-4311) by April 21.
KUB to officially launch Community Solar
KUB and its partners will launch KUB Community Solar at 1:30 p.m. on April 17, 2023, at 3131 Morris Ave.
KUB Community Solar, a partnership between KUB, the City of Knoxville, and TVA provides homeowners, renters, and businesses the opportunity to purchase a share of a 1-megawatt solar array located at the City of Knoxville’s Public Works Complex.
City of Knoxville implements new vendor registration system
The City of Knoxville has implemented a new and improved vendor registration system provided by BidNet Direct. There is no charge to register.
Once registered, vendors will receive notifications of matching solicitations and addenda from the City of Knoxville.
During the registration process, vendors will need to enter basic contact information, select products and services that best match their business, upload their W-9 form used for payment purposes, and select the classification which best describes their business. Among the classifications are small businesses and those owned by minorities, women, service-disabled veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Covenant Health names new executive leader
Covenant Health has named Jon-David Deeson as Executive Vice President of Physician Enterprise and Ambulatory Services for the health system. He assumes his new role effective April 2023.
Deeson’s executive leadership responsibilities will include Thompson Cancer Survival Center, ambulatory retail and urgent care services, physician engagement, and alignment strategies, and Covenant Medical Group, along with all other physician-related enterprises.
Since 2017, Deeson has served as CEO of OrthoTennessee, PC, a Knoxville-based physician-owned organization. During Deeson’s tenure, OrthoTennessee advanced key strategic goals, including both new and expanded urgent care services, MRI, clinic, surgery centers, therapy locations, and digital health solutions.
“Jon-David brings insight and experience to Covenant Health that will help us align our strategies to better serve our communities as a clinically integrated healthcare delivery enterprise,” said Jim VanderSteeg, Covenant Health’s president and CEO. “Jon-David began his health care career as an administrative resident at Covenant Health and early on, held a leadership role as a physician practice administrator. We have followed his professional growth and his many significant achievements over the years, and I am very pleased to have him join our executive leadership team.”
