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Shopper Blog: Trey's Snack Shack keeps him busy, and he loves it

Knoxville News Sentinel

POWELL

Trey's Snack Shack keeps him busy, and he loves it

Al Lesar, Shopper News

Who gets free food at Trey’s Snack Shack?

“No one!” said Trey Evans, the business owner and founder.

Business Lesson No. 1 has stayed with Evans through the first couple months in operation. The 21-year-old unofficial mayor of Powell, who knows just about everyone and has never met a stranger, might be tempted to dish out a bag of chips or a drink to a friend.

Trey's Snack Shack is endorsed by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.

Even his stepdad Tim Dugger, who came up with the concept and the mobile container that houses the snacks, put a buck in the money box when he grabbed a bottle of water.

Business is business, you know.

Evans, who has Down syndrome, graduated last spring from Powell High School. He was a staple in the Special Olympics program, a regular in cooking class EVERY year, and last year’s Homecoming King.

Greeting customers with a smile is easy for Trey Evans.

“Happy to be free,” is Evans’ response to not going back to school this year.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do (after graduation),” he said. “I like to sell.”

A people person

Make no mistake about it, Evans loves to work. He handled odd jobs at Pizza Hoss for a while, but the pandemic ended that. There were opportunities to get maintenance-related jobs, but it didn’t excite him.

Evans was a people person, and that’s what he wanted to do.

Trey Evans, his mother, Kellee Dugger, and stepfather Tim Dugger have put together quite a business with Trey's Snack Shack.

Dugger is an entrepreneur, owning Dugger Home Repair, focusing mainly on refurbishing bathrooms. He and his wife, Kellee (Trey’s mother), talked with Trey about his options and the idea of a snack business came up.

“I went to sleep that night and dreamt about it,” Dugger said. “I got up in the morning and drew it all up. I’ll do that a lot with my job. I can dream what it will look like, then do it.”

Evans was with Dugger every step of the way, from finding just the right trailer to using a nail gun to secure the shack in place.

Evans regularly does the shopping at Sam’s Club with Kellee. Sometimes, if they’re in a hurry, Evans will have to stay in the car.

“Everybody knows Trey,” she said. “No matter where we go, if he’s with me, add on another 20 minutes for people to stop and talk with him.”

Franchising next?

Once the Snack Shack was built, Evans' first big day was when his business license arrived in the mail.

“Happy, love, capable and strong,” is the way Evans described the emotion of running his own business.

Trey Evans and Tim Dugger did the work to create Trey's Snack Shack.

Cold soft drinks and water are $1, as are a variety of chips and crackers. Blow Pops, Rice Krispie Treats and Slim Jims are two for $1. Even his Trey’s Snack Shack T-shirt is in demand, regularly on back order.

“Dr Pepper and Sprite are the big sellers,” Evans said. “Not many want Diet Coke. Chips and Blow Pops are the snacks that sell the best.”

Trey’s Snack Shack has been in demand by businesses and events eager for him to set up with his treats. Nobody expected it to take off like it has – except Dugger.

“The way Trey is with people, I knew if we built something that looked good, it would be a success,” Dugger said.

“He’ll be out there for hours in the heat because he loves to work,” said Kellee. “We have to keep an eye that it’s not too much. It’s been a great fit. Sometimes he’ll make as much in tips as he will in sales.

“I’ve heard from other parents with special needs children asking about (the business model). I think it’s great.”

Stocking the snack shack from Sam's Club is part of the deal for Trey Evans.

Evans is not against franchising his business. Maybe the future could find him in a regular food truck. Besides someday hosting the Country Music Awards (he has an autographed hat from country singer Morgan Wallen, who saw Evans sing a song of his on TikTok), a dream of Evans is to be able to take his family on a “special” vacation to “a casino or to Pigeon Forge.”

Also, a portion of Evans' sales will go toward the Special Olympics program at Powell High School.

“The harder I work, the more money I make,” said Evans. “It’s fun to work and to be a business owner.”

Follow Trey’s Snack Shack’s Facebook page to see where he’ll be set up next.

NORTH KNOXVILLE

Seattle transplant with 'passion for coffee’ launches Indigo cart

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News

Indigo Coffee owner-operator Jonny Lohr says he has “no crazy story, no cause. Just a passion for coffee.” 

Serving the public since August, Lohr is pursuing his dream of sharing his love of America’s favorite breakfast-or-anytime beverage with all who love a fine cup o’ joe and a made-from-scratch muffin – eventually, he hopes, in brick and mortar form.

Reico Hopewell of Hopewell Helping Hands Inc. perks up his day with a coffee drink made by Jonny Lohr of Indigo Coffee. The business hit the ground in August of 2022 and is looking to go mobile. Aug. 19, 2022

So far, he’s been setting up at events and in parking lots. And he’s becoming more familiar with all the regulations involved in running a “foodie” business in East Tennessee. Complicated though they are, they’re nothing compared to the ones in Seattle, where Lohr and his fiancee, Michaela Smith, used to live.

“It was really difficult to get anything off the ground in Seattle. Eight months ago, we moved here because we wanted the best of both worlds between small town and city, and Nashville was a little too crazy.

An iced latte made with great care by Jonny Lohr of Indigo Coffee. Aug. 2022

“Knoxville has a great community and it’s really pretty out here. And we have family moving to Maryville.” Laughing, Lohr gamely corrects his pronunciation: “I mean ‘Murville.’

“We just blazed a trail. We said, ‘Let’s get out of here and go do something new!’”

Great care goes into Indigo’s specialty drinks and baked goods. The company uses K-Brew coffee because Lohr wants to support local business. And among his equipment is a Brugnetti espresso machine, which he found at a very deep discount – so deep, in fact, that he couldn’t pass it up. “It’s very nearly in perfect condition. It's just crazy. We've been so blessed with the most random things.”

Jonny Lohr of Indigo Coffee with Oliver, one of his two dogs. Jan. 31, 2022

Naturally creative in a “necessity-is-the-mother-of-invention kind of way,” Lohr built his coffee cart from scratch in four days, never having done anything like that before. He recently started apprenticing with Brian Darnell of East Tennessee Woodworking at Able Trade, the communal woodworking space on Jackson Avenue in the Old City. Lohr is learning to be a finish carpenter, and praises Darnell’s mentorship. “He’s been a great teacher.”

Smith is a talented florist at Swank Floral in Bearden.

Jonny Lohr and his fiancee, Michaela Smith, are all about adventure in all its forms – including making fine coffee for Indigo Coffee. July 20, 2021

“Michaela and I love food, being outdoors, visiting nice restaurants, taking our dogs Oliver and Indiana places.” The couple, who live in Holston Hills, also have a cat named Benjamin.

“I just have an obsessive personality,” Lohr says. “When I love something, I have to learn every aspect of it. That’s good for woodworking, too. I took a couple of years of architecture in college and high school.”

Jonny Lohr built his coffee cart from the ground up in four days. He wants to share his love of fine coffee through his company, Indigo Coffee. Aug. 19, 2022

He glances across Pratt’s parking lot in Fountain City to the Flourish Flowers truck, also doing business there the same day. “These Flourish people are great. They’re so nice.”

Is he surprised at how much work it takes to get a startup off the ground? “Yes and no,” he says. “I knew it was going to be hard – just not this hard! But that’s just life and you’ve got to get through it.

“We’re in the process of hopefully upgrading to a coffee trailer to make putting in a sink feasible. We’re really trying to get to that next level. It’s going to happen!”

Visit instagram.com/indigocoffee.co/.

POWELL

Marco's Pizza manager cares about community

Al Lesar, Shopper News

On an ordinary day, with ordinary deadlines, and ordinary pressures, the extraordinary smacked Nicole Clemmons right between the eyes.

Clemmons, the 25-year-old general manager at Marco’s Pizza (7327 Clinton Highway) in Powell, was in the middle of an interview when the police pulled up with flashing lights. She had reported a young woman who walked by her store and settled in a car by herself behind it.

Nicole Clemmons, general manager of Marco's Pizza in Powell, treats her business as "her baby."

A fire truck and medical unit followed. A little later, word got to Clemmons that despite a valiant effort with Narcan and a resuscitation try, the young woman didn’t make it.

The emotion couldn’t be hidden.

She could see herself in the blank look of that woman and many customers and employees she sees who are battling demons. While trying to maintain a happy face, it was obvious that Clemmons blamed herself for the first responders getting to the woman too late.

Ladling on the sauce is a key for the pizza production.

“This just shows you should always do something,” she said. “I should have called the police as soon as she walked past (the store window). I saw the look she had. I knew she was hurting.”

Neighbors in need

Clemmons identifies as a Christian who has a responsibility to her adopted community (she moved here from a small town in Middle Tennessee). That’s why, in June when storms knocked out power to large areas of Powell, Clemmons and her staff sprung into action.

They loaded 35 pizzas and a couple cases of cold drinks in a car and went to the impacted areas offering relief in the form of a free hot meal and cold drink.

“I just saw what should be done and I did it,” said Clemmons. “We saw people in need and went to help.”

Flipping dough is only part of Nicole Clemmons' job.

In this, her first year as general manager, Clemmons has taken Marco’s standing in the community seriously. She has been eager to help schools and charitable organizations, like Special Olympics, where she can.

The residual impact from her involvement has been tangible. One week in late July, Marco’s sold 1,640 pizzas and was $200 shy of the store’s all-time record. Sundays will normally land $2,000 in sales. That week, it was up to $3,000.

Pride in the business

The chain of about a dozen Marco’s Pizza stores in East Tennessee was recently sold to a group in Florida. Clemmons was given the opportunity to spin a local flavor on the specials.

She has initiated discounted pricing on Friday nights during football season, with fans from Clinton and Powell solving their pregame or postgame hunger there.

Also, there are “full-moon specials,” offering 50% off on days of full moons.

Cam Day puts the finishing touches on a sandwich.

With a staff of 11, most of whom are teens in their first job, she constantly battles turnover and mistakes.

“We are not perfect,” she said. “If a mistake is made, we will go above and beyond to fix it. We’re a family. The corporation doesn’t pay us, our customers pay us.

“Our customers have become more understanding. They understand we might be short-staffed, that their order might take a little longer. Our customers have opened up. They can see that we’re making an effort.

“This store is my baby. I tell my employees that you’re in a small community that takes pride in the community. We have to take pride in our business.”

Marco’s is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 to 11 Friday and Saturday.

A current special is a two-topping large pizza for $8.99. An extra large will cost about $20.

SOUTH KNOXVILLE

Friends forge new business with vintage trailer, Ruby

Ali James, Shopper News

Brittany Shultz and Kayla Pate were destined to become friends. “We met on the internet like a modern dating story for best friends,” said Shultz. “We were in a Facebook group and wanted to just hang out.”

“The second we met each other we just hit it off,” said Pate. “We felt like we had known each other for four years, but it has felt much longer.”

Brittany Shultz and Kayla Pate, owners of The Higher Aesthetic, with their 1975 tag-along, Ruby, which they tow to pop-up events.

Their relationship started out with good conversation and has blossomed from there. “We realized we were very creative together and have a lot of passion,” said Shultz. “You can get an idea but can’t finish it – but discovered that together we are able to finish it.”

The pair share the same rising star sign, and found they complemented each other.

“We wanted to build a business together,” said Shultz. “We want to retire our husbands and get out of the rat race together.”

Lotus themed trays decorated by The Higher Aesthetic.

So, during the pandemic they invested in a Glowforge – a 3D laser printer – when it was in its affordable Kickstarter phase and spent 18 months figuring out how to use it before launching The Higher Aesthetic.

Shultz’s husband is a toymaker and juggler and had already researched the Glowforge and could see a need for it. Working out how to use it was a steep learning curve. After plenty of trial and error, the pair now use it to create decorative boards, ornaments, plant hangers, wooden utensils and can even customize a favorite pair of jeans with engraving. 

Brittany Shultz, co-founder of The Higher Aesthetic, offers a limited number of tarot card readings inside the vintage trailer.

“What we do is more on the mystic, esoteric side. We wanted to make things we wanted to use in our own spaces,” said Shultz. “We can engrave on glass, acrylic, wood and denim. We decorate intention-setting jars and candles and spell jars.”

The Higher Aesthetic can engrave leather accessories and accepts custom orders.

It is esoteric art with a practical side. “There is a beautiful design on one side,” said Pate. “So, when you’re done using a cutting board, you flip it over to show that.”

Other popular designs have been the lotus boards to display crystals and stones for meditation practices.

After setting up a table to sell at local events, Pate found “Ruby,” a 1975 vintage tag-along trailer, on Facebook. It serves as a shop, a place to try on the clothes that they sell, serve tea, or for Shultz to conduct tarot card readings. It even doubles as a home office.

The Higher Aesthetic engraved wooden boards.

“It was a perfect camper when we found it and we took out the former owner’s decorations,” said Shultz. “We are slowly building the camper of our dreams.”

Shultz offers free tarot card reading mostly for friends. “I don’t charge for them, so I can have strict boundaries,” she said. “It is my favorite hobby.”

The Higher Aesthetic custom decorates home décor and kitchen tools.

The Higher Aesthetic has some pop-up events coming up, and an online shop is set to launch in the next couple of weeks.

In addition to the items they make to sell, they accept custom orders. Schultz said they recently made personalized pendulum boards for divining “yes” or “no” in response to questions.

A wooden plant hanger by The Higher Aesthetic.

Last Christmas, photos engraved on wood were another hit. “I got really good at them. They have been good for memorials and family reunions,” said Shultz.

The Higher Aesthetic pop-up experience is available for private events, too, and includes Ruby, the vintage trailer. “A bachelorette party would be perfect,” said Pate. “We could go over things with your astrology charts.”

The Higher Aesthetic can engrave glass for décor, intentional setting jars and more.

“We are very big on our instincts and going with our gut feelings,” said Pate of The Higher Aesthetic business model. “It has tended to work out organically.”

FARRAGUT

Medal of Honor heroes visit schools to talk about character, integrity and citizenship

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News

There were cheers all around as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter landed on the ballfield of Knoxville Catholic High School last Wednesday.

Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. Leroy A. Petry disembarked the helicopter to join Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Gary “Mike” Rose.

Medal of Honor recipient SSG Leroy A. Petry prepares to disembark a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter after landing at Knoxville Catholic High School Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022.

Students, faculty and guests gathered in the gym for a question-and-answer session moderated by Star 102.1 FM morning show co-host Marc Anthony.

Petry was asked about the loss of his hand. He showed his electronic prosthesis but did not go into detail about the day it was lost.

Father Chris Michelson, Knoxville Catholic High School President Dickie Sompayrac and Medal of Honor recipient SGT Gary “Mike” Rose share a laugh on the lawn as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter lands carrying SSG Leroy A. Petry at the school Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022.

After the assembly, Rose and Petry met with students in the library for a roundtable discussion of the character traits associated with the Medal of Honor – courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity, and commitment.

These men embody all six. 

Petry’s bio on the Medal of Honor website explains his act of heroism when a live hand grenade landed near him and fellow Rangers in Paktya Province, Afghanistan in 2008.

Medal of Honor recipients SGT Gary “Mike” Rose and SSG Leroy A. Petry shake hands as hundreds of students cheer them on at Knoxville Catholic High School Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022

“Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. Although picking up and throwing the live grenade grievously wounded Staff Sergeant Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers from being severely wounded or killed.”

Because the mission at the time was classified, it took more than 47 years for Rose’s act to be recognized.

Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Gary "Mike" Rose arrives quietly flanked by Green Berets at the Medal of Honor assembly at Knoxville Catholic High School Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. From left: SFC Nicholas Mattevi, CW2 Nicholas Espinoza, Rose, SSC Jesse Wheeler, and SSG Eric Eaken.

His bio explains his heroism in Laos during the Vietnam War. Four days of heavy combat ensued in September of 1970. “Sergeant Rose, braving the hail of bullets, sprinted fifty meters to a wounded soldier’s side. He then used his own body to protect the casualty from further injury while treating his wounds. After stabilizing the casualty, Sergeant Rose carried him through the bullet-ridden combat zone to protective cover. Rose aided an estimated 60 or more men during those hard-fought four days.”

Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. Gary “Mike” Rose and Staff Sgt. Leroy A. Petry salute the flag at an assembly held at Knoxville Catholic High School on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022.

Students have been taking part in the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, which teaches the core values. The Medal of Honor Society encourages regular people to believe they can choose these values in their everyday life.

The distinguished Medal of Honor worn by SSG Leroy A. Petry at an assembly held at Knoxville Catholic High School Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022.

The session was moderated by Fox & Friends Weekend show co-host Pete Hegseth and was filmed for a forthcoming Fox News special.

Info: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, www.cmohs.org.

FARRAGUT

Dog trainer met Cesar Millan, then learned a personal lesson

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News

Lincoln De Souza, owner of Balanced Paws K9 Training and Dog Psychology Center, starts each workday with a long walk with his staff and 30 of his closest canine friends.

De Souza is a premier dog psychologist/trainer in Knoxville, having studied and worked with Cesar Millan and international dog behaviorist Cheri Lucas.

Dog trainer and psychologist Lincoln De Souza works with a client at Balanced Paws K9 Training and Dog Psychology Center Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

His classes feature the dos and don’ts as well as the why and how.

De Souza explains, “In every pack you have front, middle, back. In front is my dog Lucy, who is calm. Middle dogs are normally Doodles, which are happy-go-lucky dogs. They don’t usually know what’s going on. They just want everyone to get along. The back of the pack, which is my specialty, is the overly sensitive, insecure dog.”

It all started with De Souza’s dog Abby.

Lucy has learned how to remain calm in the face of chaos at Balanced Paws K9 Training and Dog Psychology Center Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

“Abby was a nightmare when she was 3 (she’s almost 9 now). I couldn’t walk her anywhere and she couldn’t be around other dogs,” said De Souza.

“One of my mentors said I should go see Cesar Millan. You see, Abby is a back of the pack dog who was trying to be a leader, but that wasn’t her role and she was making poor choices. Put her in her role, I’m the pack leader and she’s now a calm, well-mannered dog.”

Katherine Evans shares a smile with her dad, Lincoln De Souza, at his facility Balanced Paws K9 Training and Dog Psychology Center Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

But it didn’t happen overnight. De Sauza worked intensely with Abby and Millan at his facility in Florida in two sessions. Millan was so taken with De Souza he invited him to join his team for the next two years.

The real lesson came with a car accident. De Souza suffered a broken back and was forced to sit and be quiet, but he’s not the sit and be quiet type. It was during this time that Millan’s lesson of be calm and breathe hit home and De Souza came up with his catch phrase “Paws and Breathe.” 

Boot Camp trainer Sydney Davis safely sits among the pack (none of them jump on her) at Balanced Paws K9 Training and Dog Psychology Center Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

De Souza offers boot camp training where he works with owners and their ill-mannered four-legged babies, bringing them back into balance.

 “We give the dog what they need at Boot Camp. We start the day off with an hour and a half long walk along Kingston Pike. You can see us walking the pack early in the morning. We do that because dogs like to migrate. They like going for that long walk; it’s natural to them and it satisfies them. Once you’ve done this you can then ask your dog to do things for you.”

Megan Lawson checks on Kass while he works off nervous energy on the treadmill at Balanced Paws K9 Training and Dog Psychology Center Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

The facility is broken up into three rooms. The exercise room is where the dogs walk on treadmills to work out any extra bit of nervous energy.

The socialization room is where trainers work with dogs on leash and off for socialization and play, and there’s a “living room” complete with comfy furniture to help teach the dog how to behave at home with company. 

Boot Camp trainer Rena Colner works with Budha and Tucker at Balanced Paws K9 Training and Dog Psychology Center Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

“The goal is to have a happy, well-mannered dog that you can take to a restaurant or anywhere and not have problems,” said De Souza.

Info: www.balancedpawsk9training.com.

SOUTH KNOXVILLE

Musician-turned-barber opens shop on Sevier Avenue in evolving South Knoxville neighborhood

Ali James, Shopper News

Sammy Pajcic, a familiar face at E.D. Bailey in the Old City, has struck out on his own and opened Chopper Barbershop in South Knoxville. It is a much-needed addition to the empty space below the City South Apartments on Sevier Avenue.

Long before he was a barber, Pajcic was a musician. He started playing music at 14 and started touring with punk hardcore and metal bands at 18.

Sammy Pajcic, owner of Chopper Barbershop in South Knoxville, Aug. 31, 2022.

“I played with a lot of local bands and then linked up with the Bitter End out of San Antonio,” he said. “I was in my mid-20s playing music and bartending, but still trying to figure out what I was going to do.”

He tried a couple of semesters of college, then jumped back on a tour in Germany. It was then he realized that there were a lot of tattooed punk rock guys out there cutting hair. He enrolled in barber school five years ago and “crushed it in a year.”

Sammy Pajcic with one of his customers at the Chopper Barbershop South Knoxville, Aug. 31, 2022.

“The band took a back seat,” said Pajcic, who went to work in a local barbershop. “I met Zoran, the owner of E.D. Bailey, and he talked me into coming to work at his shop. I was up front with him about opening my own shop. I can’t say enough good things about Zoran; I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now without him.”

Despite growing up in Karns, Pajcic said he knew he wanted to open a shop in South Knoxville.

“I just felt myself gravitating here in my free time with the local restaurants and breweries,” he said. “It is the perfect oasis from downtown. I could go on all day about all of the good things around here. Plus, there wasn’t a barbershop over here.”

Sammy Pajcic has combined his love of music and motorcycles into his own business, Chopper Barbershop in South Knoxville. South Knoxville, Aug. 31, 2022.

John Rodriguez, who also worked at E.D.Bailey, was pivotal in fitting out the new space on Sevier Avenue, according to Pajcic. The space is smaller than the three barbers who work there are used to. “There was no bathroom or closet, so we began to worry we wouldn’t fit it all,” he said. “We put everything in. The cabinetry fits to the centimeter; we made it fit like a glove.”

Chopper Barbershop’s three barbers, Pajcic, Rodriguez and Dillan Erb, alternate their schedules on one side of the shop, and Pajcic is currently interviewing to staff the remaining two chairs. “We will probably have a full staff by the spring,” he said.

“We offer hot shaves, hot lather and straight razors,” said Pajcic. “The hot shaves are more about relaxation than anything; you get a closer shave with not as many ingrown hairs. A lot of guys don’t get massages or manicures. People don’t think they will like it until they get it. But for a small upcharge you can get a hot towel (treatment) with your complimentary beer. And for the guy who needs to just get in and get a haircut they can do that, too.”

Chopper Barbershop located at 710 Sevier Avenue in South Knoxville on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

Chopper Barbershop’s social media accounts @chopperbarbershoptn link directly to a full menu of services and prices, as well as an app to book a convenient time with a specific barber.

“Even though my concept isn’t reinventing the wheel I thought we would fit in,” said Pajcic. “There are so many people that need to get cut. We get guys from the surrounding neighborhoods, North Knoxville, Seymour, they come from everywhere…

“I do fades and beard trims all day long,” he continued. “We do full head shaves and all of those traditional barber services. It is just the core stuff. It is a service everybody needs and wants.”

NORTH KNOXVILLE

Local Collective Knox, a welcoming space for a wide range of creatives

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News

There’s a new space for young creatives in town – one that expands upon the traditional idea of an artists’ collective.

Local Collective Knox (LCK), which had its grand opening on Sept. 2, offers “creative spaces that are comfortable, memorable and inspiring,” according to its website.

It’s owned and operated by Nick Moran, who is also the owner/operator of Riverside Tattoo in downtown Knoxville. So he knows a thing or two about the beauty/cosmetic/ink industry. And he wants to include others, like himself, who are artists in those fields.

A former pharmacy, the space at Local Collective Knox, shown here at the grand opening, is bright and airy. Sept. 2, 2022

“I wanted to keep options open,” says Moran. “Since I haven’t branded LCK as one specific genre of medium or art, I felt it would be fair to expand it to any type of beauty industry. Building photography sets, doing hair – even just a fun place to be away from home or have an office or curate a small boutique. Anything that could be considered an art. I want to keep definition open.”

Each of the seven unique studios at LCK is equipped with running water and ventilation. “I rented the space and paid for development,” says Moran. “I want to make it as simple and as easy as possible. And all the creators get to keep 100% of the money they make.”

So far, two studios are leased, both hair salons: Sleek and Destroy, run by Lilly Winburn, and The Green Room, run by Ashley Deatherage.

At the grand opening, another artist was featured – Kelsey McMurry, who is well known as a professional photographer who runs Kelsey Shea Photography, specializing in weddings, and Kelsey McMurry Photography. Recently, however, she’s branched out.

Artist Kelsey McMurry, known nationally as a photographer, started painting during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here she is at the grand opening of Local Collective Knox, where she is the featured artist. Sept. 2, 2022

“During COVID, she started painting,” says Moran. “She needed a creative outlet. She told me that she had fallen in love with it.

“I purchased one of her paintings in 2020, and when I was thinking about who I wanted to feature for LCK’s first First Friday, I wanted to bring her in.”

Moran decided he wanted to open the collective after some eye-opening conversations.

“The demand was brought to my attention by a few friends of mine. They wished they could do hair in a place that feels like my tattoo shop. It took me a year to get LCK open; it was close to my downtown neighborhood, I know the area, I was seeing growth moving eastward.”

The grand opening of Local Collective Knox had a good turnout. Sept. 2, 2022

Moran is only 30 but has moved “over 100 times” – first as the son of Air Force parents, then as a young adult following his own creative journey, including time spent in several bands “playing everything but the drums.” A professional tattoo artist since 2014, he’s started, run and sold several businesses and has run Riverside since 2020.

He hopes to fill the space at LCK by the end of this month and is gathering applications now – even as he and his girlfriend, hair stylist Chynna Longo, enjoy a first-time trip to Italy. He is, he says, indebted to his social media manager, Sacha Keenan, and is grateful to both women for their insight and support.

Local Collective Knox is at 110 East Fifth Ave., though the building’s address is also listed as 104 East Fifth Ave. Info: instagram.com/localcollectiveknox.

HALLS

The party continues at Fountain City Social

Ali James, Shopper News

Lindsey Chapman is preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of her ’80s-themed cocktail bar, Fountain City Social.

“We did a simple cheers for our first anniversary on the Labor Day weekend,” said Chapman. “On Friday, Sept. 16, we are going to celebrate with a western-themed party and on Saturday, Sept. 17, a glow themed party and a bunch of giveaways.”

Fountain City Social was always going to be more than just a local bar.

Fountain City Social’s luau night.

“I definitely think we have for sure surpassed all of the checked boxes,” said Chapman of her original plans for Fountain City Social, which opened last fall in what used to be a Casual Pint location at 4842 Harvest Mill Way.

“It seems like we are always doing something, whether it be trivia or Singo or karaoke. Sometimes we will throw in a themed night. We had a whiteout this past Saturday that was super fun. We have had luaus and pirate parties. We come up with themes and post about them so that people have time to get a costume and show up.”

Chapman has hosted car club nights, Fun with Friends, and birthday parties, too.

Singo Trivia night at Fountain City Social at 4842 Harvest Mill Way.

“When we first started our dance nights didn’t take off well,” said Chapman. “So we incorporated a dance night with karaoke. In between the karaoke we have a slow or hip-hop dance song or a singalong.” Chapman said they attract a slightly older demographic than clubs and bars in the Old City.

To coincide with its first birthday celebration, Fountain City Social is releasing its new fall menu.

“We are going to have an apple spice cocktail, a couple of Old Fashioneds,” said Chapman. “Recently we implemented some smoked tequila and bourbon; it’s really fun to do and takes it to another level. There will be The Social Sour, a caramel apple martini, and a brown sugar Old Fashioned.”

Fountain City Social owner Lindsey Chapman credits her success to loyal, regular patrons and reliable staff.

Fountain City Social has 22 beers on tap as well as Prosecco, lemon drop and green tea shots, and margaritas. “They can pick their own margarita flavor – strawberry, peach, mango or pineapple,” said Chapman. “Same thing for our Prosecco, they can choose watermelon, orange, cranberry, etc.” 

Instead of regularly scheduled food trucks, Fountain City Social offers pizza and pretzel bites, meat and cheese trays and allows paying customers to bring in outside food.

“Every now and again we will do free food – hot dogs, sandwiches, a fruit or meat tray,” added Chapman.

Fountain City Social owner Lindsey Chapman checks out a customer’s DeLorean. The car’s owner heard about the '80s-themed bar and drove from Sevierville to check it out.

A Halloween party is planned for Oct. 29, and Fountain City Social is expanding its hours for customers to hang out and watch Monday Night Football.

“People really enjoy being here because they meet other new people,” said Chapman. “They appreciate that we take the time to say hello and communicate with them.”

Fountain City Social worked with the City of Knoxville to become a certified “Safe Bar.” The initiative trains workers to help them identify and prevent sexual violence.

Lindsey Chapman has chosen a mix of domestic and local brews for the taps at Fountain City Social and is adding taps for Prosecco and shots. Sept. 21, 2021.

“They sit down and talk with your employees about things to look for to keep your customers safe and what to do in a situation,” said Chapman. “That is really important to us, because we get women telling us that they feel so safe with us. It just lets our patrons – men go through it, too – know that we watch out for things like that.

“We are finalists for Knoxnews.com’s Knox Stars for Best Bar in Knoxville. Best Cocktails, Best Karaoke, Best Happy Hour,” said Chapman. “I think it's our consistency. People know we will have the pitchers and our regular Sunday happy hour.

“We've been approached about doing more locations,” said Chapman. The Kerns building has approached us about doing a similar concept there. Fortunately, we have done really, really well in the year we have been open. We are very grateful.”

POWELL

Barre None Dance Shop outfits dancers from top to toe

Al Lesar, Shopper News

Gwendolyn Johnson Delaney made the clever move last year to open Barre None Dance Shop at the Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts (TCFA) in North Knoxville.

“This time of the year we go through products more quickly, because they have outgrown their shoes and I have to order new shoes, leotards and tights every week,” said Delaney.

TCFA has been a mainstay for both new and experienced dancers for more than 26 years. 

Gwendolyn Johnson Delaney made the move last year to open Barre None Dance Shop next door to her Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts (TCFA) studio to help outfit dancers from their hair accessories down to their pointe shoes. Fountain City, Sept. 8, 2022.

“We are a classically based dance studio, and we offer ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop,” said Delaney. “We have tracks for both the recreational student and the aspiring professional.” TCFA is also a certified Acrobatic Arts studio that offers all levels of acro dance and a home to Ballet Gloria, so TCFA provides students the opportunity to audition for the Junior Companies.

“We opened the dance shop because there is nothing like that on this side of town and there has been a need for as long as I can remember,” said Delaney. “We wanted to start filling that need for artists and even athletes, with a small accompaniment of yoga attire, flexor stretcher accessories and foam rollers.”

Gwendolyn Johnson Delaney’s husband, Jeff, also designs a range of vintage-inspired custom T-shirts, called "Knoxtalgia." “They come in tanks, wide neck shirts, some are plain and some say things, but they are designed specifically for the dancer in all genres,” said Delaney, in her Barre None Dance Shop in Fountain City, Sept. 8, 2022.

Barre None Dance Shop at TCFA covers the basics with a variety of ballet, jazz and tap shoes, leotards, and tights, and even cute ballerina-themed knickknacks from jewelry containers to necklaces.

“We feature the RP Collection and Revolution dancewear brands,” she said. “We sell leotards, tights and dance shoes the most.”

Since opening a year ago, Delaney said they have added a range of performance jewelry. “They are all sparkly to enhance the costume,” she said – “hair accessories, earrings, necklaces and a variety of combs for competitive dancers, twirlers and people in pageantry.”

"Performance" jewelry is now available at Barre None in Fountain City and provides added sparkle for dancers’ costumes. Fountain City, Sept. 8, 2022.

Supporting local musical theater and show choir groups is also important to Delaney.

“If local community or school show directors have specific needs, I would love them to reach out to me,” she said. “I can help them with tan jazz shoes, tan or fishnet tights; I have fitted out several performances over the years.”

Delaney’s husband, Jeff, also designs a range of vintage-inspired custom T-shirts for the shop.

“He calls them Knoxtalgia, with the World’s Fair, the local putt-putt, and other local businesses from the past 50-60 years that give people a feeling of nostalgia,” she explained. “They come in tanks, wide neck shirts. Some are plain and some say things, but they are designed specifically for the dancer in all genres.”

Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts’ new dancewear shop, Barre None, carries popular brands such as the RP pointe collection and Revolution Dancewear. Fountain City, Sept. 8, 2022.

An online shop is under construction, and Delaney hopes to have it open by the end of September. For now, the shop is open 5-8 p.m. Mondays, 4:30-7:30 on Wednesdays, 4:30-8 p.m. Fridays and 9:30 a.m.-noon on Saturdays.

Delaney has recruited someone to help run the store and will slowly start expanding those hours. “Right now, they can call the studio to schedule an appointment to shop,” said Delaney.

Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts’ new dancewear shop in Fountain City, Sept. 8, 2022.

Expect to find some new fall décor including throws, pillows and other holiday items such as nutcrackers over the coming months. “We are constantly expanding offerings; we are building that inventory,” said Delaney.

Barre None Dance Shop is at 2906 Tazewell Pike # A.

OPINION

Keep the voices in your head close

Leslie Snow, Shopper News

It should have been an ordinary conversation, but it wasn’t. I should have run into an old neighbor at the grocery store, exchanged pleasantries, and carried on with the rest of my day without giving the incident a second thought.

But something about the encounter bothers me. Something about the conversation triggers a negative reaction that I can’t quite pinpoint.

Leslie Snow, News Sentinel columnist.

I reach for my phone to talk to my friend Cheri about it. She has a way of finding the nugget of truth in a situation and dissecting it.

But then I remember. Cheri is out of town for the week. I consider calling her anyway. I don’t think she would mind, but then I decide it isn’t that important. I put my phone and my worry away and try to shift my focus.

But driving home from the store, I feel my mind reaching out for that moment again. The one with my neighbor. The one that bothered me. I replay it again, looking for the source of my discomfort, but it doesn’t come to me. I need my people to help me sort through my emotions.

So I start talking to Cheri. Not on the phone, but in my head.

I tell her the story like I would if we were on one of our walks. And I can hear her soothing voice clearly when she replies. “Les, I’m not sure she meant it, but it sounds like she was being critical of you in an offhand way. Her words could be taken in so many ways, but what you heard was blame. Do you think you were being sensitive, or do you think her intent was to be unkind?”

I think back to the conversation again, trying to decipher the woman’s tone. I wonder what she was thinking when she spoke. I talk about it in my head, but this time it’s my husband who responds, not Cheri.

He tells me to put the moment away, that it doesn’t matter. He says I have enough on my plate, that I don’t need to borrow trouble where there is none. And I know that he’s right, even if he’s only a voice in my head.

Before I know it, my daughter Jordan chimes in. She tells me that I have every right to be upset. “You felt bad after the conversation because someone was mean to you. Case closed.” I smile because Jordan is always my fiercest defender. Even when I’m wrong.

As I pull into my driveway, my mother picks up where Jordan left off. Her voice is soft and gentle, and I feel the hug mixed in with her words. “It’s OK to be upset,” she says, “but put it behind you. You don’t need to carry any more weight. Nothing that happened in the grocery store changes anything. You’re good just the way you are. You are loved.”

My head is a busy place. I quiet all the voices while I bring in my groceries, and I realize I feel better. I’ve worked through my emotions with the help of my friends and my family. They didn’t even need to be there. I put the last of the groceries away feeling grateful to the people I’m closest to, the ones who are part of me.

Later that evening, I think about that old saying, that “it takes a village.” It turns out, the phrase is true. I just never realized all those villagers would be in my head.

Leslie Snow may be reached at snow column@aol.com.