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Weekend edition January 06, 2023 | Shannon Smith

News Roundup | Workshops, webinars, and a new grocery store

Here’s your weekly roundup of business news from throughout the Knoxville region.

If you have any business news or updates you’d like to feature in Teknovation Weekend, please send us an email at teknovation@pyapc.com.

Red Panda Grocery opens in the Old City

Downtown Knoxville finally has a grocery store with the official opening of Red Panda Grocery earlier this week.

Described by the owners on Instagram as a ‘scaled back version’ of an NYC bodega, Red Panda will offer hot sandwiches, staples like meat, eggs, and milk, as well as international candies and gluten-free ingredients.

Though not technically a food desert, the downtown area has been lacking a grocery store for years, meaning Red Panda’s opening has been greatly anticipated by those who live downtown.

You can visit them now at 123 S. Central St. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Knox Pride opens new thrift store

Knox Pride Thriftique is now open in South Knoxville. The shop is located in the Collaboration Suite of Knox Pride’s location at 4044 Chapman Highway.

The nonprofit still offers free clothing for those in the LGBT community who need help, but asks that anyone who comes to shop pays a donation to help with the overhead costs of running Knox Pride, including funding for the 40+ events they hold each month.

You can shop and support Knox Pride from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Altar’d State named top brand to watch in 2023

Maryville-based clothing retailer Altar’d State has been named one of the top 10 brands to watch in 2023, according to Insider and Pacer.ai.

Placer.ai is a data firm that tracks where people shop, work, and live using their mobile phones. Their data shows the most promising retailers and restaurants for 2023.

They predict the following 10 companies will succeed next year, based on growth strategies and planned expansion:

  1. Whataburger
  2. Hibbett Sports
  3. Boot Barn
  4. Grocery Outlet
  5. Altar’d State
  6. Dave & Busters and Main Event Entertainment
  7. Total Wine & More
  8. Wawa
  9. Five Below
  10. Bob’s Discout Furniture

Webinar – Focusing on Employee Mental Health

Join the Knoxville Chamber for a virtual panel discussion titled “Focusing on Employee Mental Health.”

Representatives from The Clorox Company, Accenture, the City of Knoxville, and Cherokee Health Systems will share information on topics including the importance of supporting health and wellness, employee assistance programs, and substance abuse.

The free virtual event will be held Thursday, January 26 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST. You can reserve a spot here.

Sales tax workshop for makers

The Maker City is hosting a “Make Learn Grow” workshop for makers who want to learn more about how to file taxes for their businesses.

On January 11, Bailey Serafine and Elizabeth Blazer of Elliott Advisory Group will help makers navigate sales tax when selling their products inside and outside of Tennessee.

They’ll cover topics including what triggers a sales tax filing requirement, how to set up an account, online sales and more.

The event will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center on January 11. Tickets are $10 a piece and can be purchased here.

Ministry Brands appoints finance leadership

Knoxville-based Ministry Brands named Christian Greyenbuhl as Chief Financial Officer.

With more than 20 years of leadership experience in corporate finance, investor relations, and business operations, Greyenbuhl brings broad exposure to multiple industries across U.S. and multi-national markets. Greyenbuhl will oversee all financial operations across Ministry Brands’ portfolio with a focus on driving best-in-class execution across functions including financial strategy, capital deployment, treasury, and accounting.

Serving approximately 90,000 customers, Ministry Brands is a leading provider of SaaS operational management systems, payment platforms, digital engagement tools, and background screening solutions for faith-based non-profit and for-profit organizations.


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