Urban Knoxville: Down on the Strip, where bar smoking is allowed and housing is bound
While Cumberland Avenue has undergone massive changes in recent years, with more on the horizon, lighting up a cigarette inside a bar on the Strip is one of the few remaining activities from yesteryear. At least, for now ...
I'm Ryan Wilusz, downtown reporter and urban explorer, bringing you a weekend dose of news and events happening around the Scruffy City.
Hold your riots! Stefanos Pizza is not closing yet, although a student housing developer's recent purchase of the property means the Chicago-based firm now owns the entire 1900 block of Cumberland Avenue. While we don't know all the details, I explored what this could mean for the Strip.
Stefanos owner Randy Burleson also told me Bistro by the Tracks, now a pop-up in Happy Holler, is bound for an iconic restaurant space in the Bearden area. Who remembers The Orangery?
Just a mile west of the forthcoming Bistro location is Bearden Hill Fieldhouse, a smoking bar owned by Joseph M. Smith. He also owns The Half Barrel on Cumberland Avenue.
You can smoke inside Half Barrel, too, although Smith has considered banning it. He just doesn't want to be the bad guy. The city has no plans to ban smoking in 21+ bars either, despite a new state law that gives it that authority. For the time being, Preservation Pub and Urban Bar can continue with business as normal.
Check out this week's episode of "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast to hear us debate the pros and cons of the city stepping in with a smoking ban. It's available now on Spotify and on Apple, as well as other streaming platforms.
In other news, our Knox News interns are continuing to put in work! Sports intern Alberto Camargo has the story on One Knoxville SC hosting a playoff regional in its first year, while growth and development intern Keenan Thomas has everything you need to know about the Broadway viaduct project nearing completion.
Live like a local
Eat local: Keenan also caught up with CJ's Tacos to talk about its first five years in business. Check out its food truck or location inside the downtown Embassy Suites, where KoPita is preparing to take over the space formerly occupied by Knox Mason.
Drink local: This next section is brought to you by intern Keenan Thomas, who shared the story of Jennifer and Chas Olmsted's journey to opening a mobile draft cocktail business. Read about Olmsted Bev Company, and rent the signature mint blue 1967 Toyota Land Cruiser for you next event!
Watch local: Last week, I hyped up the "Terror in the Woods" double feature at Ijams Nature Center. The event, postponed due to weather, will be happening tonight instead. Tickets are $15.
If you're looking for a family-friendly film-viewing experience, look no further than Ancient Lore Village, an event getaway for humans and leprechauns alike. "Spider-Man: Far From Home" will be on the big screen tonight, and dinner is included in the price of a ticket, $38 for adults and $25 for kids.
Signing off and staying scruffy, I'm Ryan Wilusz. Cheers to the weekend!
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Urban Knoxville: Smoking bars and new apartments on the UT strip
