Former McKay's employees are rallying to open their own business following the bookstore's closure after four decades in Knoxville.
McKay's closed May 3 after the owners sold the Papermill Drive property to Turkey Creek Hospitality, a Knoxville-based hotel developer, for $4.25 million.
Now the Knoxville store's former employees are launching McBroom's Closet, according to its website.
"A beloved institution that had stood for 50 years, gone. The workers were informed on the same day as the public," the website says. "Over a dozen former McKay's workers with the eager aid of our community started building something new."
What is McBroom's Closet?
There's no timeline or location for McBroom's Closet, but the people behind the project are raising money and searching for a Knoxville
property to call home. The business model will reflect that of McKay's, where customers could buy, sell or trade books, movies, records, gadgets and more.
"Brought to you by community members and former bookstore employees who dream of building a lasting institution Knoxville will be proud to call their own,"the website says.
McBroom's Closet will have a table at the Knoxville Punk Rock Flea Market from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Mill & Mine.
Where does the name come from?
McBroom's Closet used to be a curiosity shop in Clinton, the group told Knox News, and it was owned by Mark McBroom. He was a longtime employee at McKay's, and naming the new business in his honor just felt right.
"He was a storied and traveled man who was loved by everyone who met him," the group said. "He loved to connect with folks and would put together folders of his research based on conversations with customers."
Why did McKay's close in Knoxville?
McKay's owners sold the property earlier this year to a local hotel developer.
McKay's owner Sam Jacobson previously told Knox News the decision was the culmination of years of discussions as the market evolved and the area around the Papermill Drive retail space was developed.
Store employees unionized in late 2022, and the union had been working toward a contract, but the sides never came to an agreement.
"Three years later McKay’s ownership would make the decision to close the location before signing a first contract with the union," the McBroom's website says.
The union, through its parent organization, Communications Workers of America, filed multiple labor allegations with the National Labor Relations Board. Jacobson told Knox News the unionization did not factor into the decision to sell.
What will replace McKay's on Papermill Drive?
Turkey Creek Hospitality bought the property for $4.25 million on Feb. 23. The group also owns the used car lot next to McKay's, which was bought in 2023 for $2.4 million.
Knox News reached out to Turkey Creek Hospitality president Nick Patel to find out what the plans are for the Papermill property but did not hear back.
Turkey Creek Hospitality owns 10 hotels across Knox and Sevier counties, and is planning aSpringhill Suites by Marriott in the Old City and another hotel in Memphis. The company is behind the Holiday In Express & Suites just down the road from the McKay's property, and could bring another hotel to Papermill Drive.
Does McKay's have other locations?
McKay's has locations in Chattanooga and Nashville, as well as Winston-Salem and Mebane in North Carolina.
McKay's was founded in North Carolina in 1974 and had been in Knoxville since 1985. The store attracted a devoted fan base with an array of inexpensive used items, from books to anime to movies to collectibles.
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers restaurants and retail for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville's next bookstore comes from former McKay's staff
