Bistro by the Tracks – now a Happy Holler pop-up – to fill iconic Bearden restaurant space

Ryan Wilusz, Knoxville News Sentinel
Updated ·2 min read

The Orangery, considered the "grande dame" of Knoxville dining by former Knox News food reporter Mary Constantine, will have its iconic Bearden-area restaurant space filled when Bistro by the Tracks moves in.

But first, the Randy Burleson-owned restaurant will have to vacate its Happy Holler pop-up at 1123 N. Central St., which began serving customers July 8 after leaving its former Bearden location on Brookview Centre Way.

For now, there's the 'Baby Bistro'

Burleson, who also owns Aubrey's and a handful of other local restaurant brands, purchased the Happy Holler property for $275,000 in May 2016. The long-term plan calls for a new restaurant in the building but, with COVID-19 rattling the industry, Burleson has been using the space for banquets and catering instead.

This Happy Holler pop-up at 1123 N. Central St. would become a Burleson Brand restaurant once Bistro by the Tracks leaves the space for Bearden. Randy Burleson said Bistro by the Tracks plans to open at the former Orangery, an iconic restaurant that first opened in 1979 and remained a family-operated business for most of its lifetime before closing in 2016.

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The "Central Bistro" or "Baby Bistro," as Burleson calls the Happy Holler pop-up, is about half the size of its former restaurant space. The Orangery space, on the other hand, will be roughly twice as big.

The former Orangery, which most recently housed Kitchen 919, is still undergoing some construction and will be leased by Burleson. Located next door to the former Naples Italian Restaurant on Kingston Pike, the space includes an upstairs banquet room that can accommodate 120 people, Burleson said.

The new-and-improved Bistro by the Tracks also will include a wine cellar on the main floor.

"The demand is on in Bearden," Burleson said. "There's always new changes to the menu but, yes, same menu, new location."

What's next for Happy Holler pop-up?

The Orangery was opened in 1971 by Kristopher Kendrick and Chef Frank Gardner, according to previous Knox News reporting, and had to be rebuilt after a fire destroyed the restaurant in 1984.

David Kiger took over as owner in 2009 until the Orangery permanently closed in 2016. Over the years, the restaurant became one of the most popular places in Knoxville for business lunches and anniversary dinners.

Construction continues inside the former Orangery restaurant space, which most recently housed Kitchen 919. Randy Burleson said he would like to move Bistro by the Tracks to this bigger Bearden space by Christmas, but the restaurant will remain a pop-up in the Happy Holler neighborhood until work on the building is complete.
Construction continues inside the former Orangery restaurant space, which most recently housed Kitchen 919. Randy Burleson said he would like to move Bistro by the Tracks to this bigger Bearden space by Christmas, but the restaurant will remain a pop-up in the Happy Holler neighborhood until work on the building is complete.

As for Bistro by the Tracks, Burleson purchased the concept in 2007 and would like to open its new location by the end of the year. Once that move happens, Burleson plans to open a new restaurant in the Happy Holler location.

He plans to let input from nearby neighbors drive the concept. Other Burleson Brands include Sunspot, Bluetick Tavern, Fieldhouse Social and Stefanos Pizza.

The flagship Stefanos property on Cumberland Avenue was recently purchased by a Chicago-based student housing firm. Burleson told Knox News he is eyeing another location but plans to stay open until redevelopment begins.

Knox News is the best place for restaurant news in Knoxville. Check back regularly for updates on your favorite places to dine and drink, as well as for information about new concepts that are coming. 

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Bistro by the Tracks pops up in Happy Holler before Bearden restaurant