Knoxville restaurants: These local eateries, businesses closed in 2022

Knoxville and the surrounding area saw various restaurants and other businesses - some of them longtime local fixtures - close their doors for good in 2022.

In some cases, new restaurants or stores have taken over those recently vacant spaces quickly, and these shuttered kitchens and storefronts might have left our memories just as fast.

That's why Knox News has compiled a list of restaurants and businesses in Knoxville that closed in 2022. This isn't counting businesses that moved locations, such as Pioneer House or Bistro by the Tracks.

The Ball Gentleman's Club

A different type of establishment, The Ball was a strip club located on Alcoa Highway. It closed in June 2022 after Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen cited it as a "public nuisance," and it was permanently shut down in September. A new strip club with a different name has opened in the same location.

The Casual Pint in Hardin Valley

After the original location closed in Bearden, The Casual Pint in Hardin Valley closed in November.

Central Depot

At the corner of Central Street and Depot Avenue, Central Depot closed on Halloween. The Old City spot is now becoming a new bar called Monkey's Bar, expected to open soon.

Fai Thai Kitchen

Originally a food truck, Fai Thai Kitchen made the leap to a restaurant space on Gay Street. Unfortunately, it closed its downtown kitchen in June 2022. The restaurant has become a member with Real Good Kitchen since the closing.

The Front Porch Restaurant

A Powell favorite, The Front Porch closed in August 2022. Owner Bart Elkins did open the antique side back up, but left the restaurant portion closed.

Hen+Hoc Deli and Butcher

A part of Olibea, the Hen+Hoc Butcher shop closed its doors in April 2022. The butcher shop at 123 S. Central St. now houses a grocery store.

Hops and Hollers

After nine years, the award-winning bar Hops and Hollers closed its doors in November 2022. Located at 937 N. Central St., the neighborhood bar combined beer with outdoor recreation.

King Tut's Grill

At the very beginning of the year, King Tut's Grill closed. The South Knoxville restaurant at 4132 Martin Mill Pike cited COVID-19 as the reason for its closure on New Year's Eve 2021.

Knox Mason

After operating on Gay Street for 10 years, Knox Mason closed its doors in July 2022. Chef Matt Gallaher cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason, saying the restaurant couldn't regain its success post-pandemic after relocating to the Embassy Suites hotel.

K Town Tavern

At 320 N. Peters Road, K Town Tavern closed in July 2022. The location had been in use for 17 years by the Eat Out, Inc. and K Town Tavern. The space is now the location of Abridged Beer Company: World Headquarters.

Po' Richard's

One of the original Marble City Market food vendors, Po' Richards' served its last sandwich in April 2022. The Facebook page for Po' Richards doesn't have any updates on whether the restaurant will reopen in a different capacity or space.

Rankin Restaurant

Originally opened in 1953, Rankin Restaurant closed its doors in February 2022. It claimed to be the oldest restaurant in Knoxville. The building at 2200 N. Central St. was sold in March.

Rita's Bakery

Rita's Bakery closed in May 2022. It had served baked goods from its location at 3023 Tazewell Pike since 1993.

Renaissance Terrace

An assisted living facility, Renaissance Terrace closed in January 2022. The closure was due to a lack of state funding, according to the management at the time. The closure displaced 45 elderly residents in the Fourth and Gill neighborhood.

S&S Cafeteria

Another old Knoxville restaurant, S&S Cafeteria served Knoxville from 1975 until August 2022. A part of a franchise, the Knoxville location at 4808 Kingston Pike closed after not fully recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stefanos Pizza

Although the Hardin Valley location is still open, the original Stefanos Pizza location on "the Strip" at 1937 Cumberland Ave. closed in December 2022. It had been open since 1977.

Time Warp Tea Room

After 20 years, the motorcycle club Time Warp Tea Room shut off its engines by the beginning of July 2022. The space at 1209 N Central St. was sold and is now being used by a natural wine bar set to open in January 2023 and a vapor lounge.

Wicked Chicken

The hot chicken concept Wicked Chicken closed at 141 S. Gay St. in January 2022. A part of the Nama Hospitality Group, menu items from the concept became available at 35 North in Farragut.

Any restaurants or businesses that closed in 2022 that we missed? Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com with your suggestion.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville restaurants and businesses that closed in 2022