Dolly Parton’s last public appearance in person wasn’t at Dollywood, in Nashville or even on a stage with a shimmering guitar. It was at her own truck stop.
In late June, Parton made a surprise appearance in Cornersville, Tennessee, to welcome fans to Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop.
“I’m sure some of you are wondering why I wanted a truck stop. Well, I couldn’t leave it to beavers. I had to throw my little squirrely self in there,” Parton joked at the grand opening, referencing the popular Buc-ee’s travel centers.
“Anyway, we're not trying to compete with anybody. We don't think we'll have to. We think we're going to have everything that you want or need," Paton continued.
If you want to honor Parton with a special trip to the flagship location
of Dolly’s Travel Stop to raise a Cup of Ambition Coffee or shop for a sweatshirt bearing her image, it's in Middle Tennessee and nearly four hours away from Knoxville. The reimagined travel experience welcomes everyone from professional truckers to families on road trips, all while embracing Parton’s Southern charm.
However, it’s possible that one of her signature travel stops will open in the Smokies where she grew up and accommodate those on their way to her Dollywood attractions and resorts.
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Will Dolly Parton’s Travel Stop open an East Tennessee location?
Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops are planned across the Southeast and beyond, including in East Tennessee.
"We love East Tennessee and would love to be in there,” Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop general manager Tara Polk told Knox News in June. “We are working through it now and we plan to expand. Stay tuned!”
At the time, Polk did not specify a timeline or where in East Tennessee a travel stop might open, but Knox and Sevier counties' proximately to the heavily trafficked interstates I-40, I-75 and I-81 is a positive factor.
“There’s a lot that goes into choosing the locations, but we are definitely prioritizing high truck and traffic areas,” Polk explained.
And a Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop would fit right in in the region that warmly embraces the legendary icon. The Cornersville travel stop is decked out in décor in Parton’s likeness and branding and features custom merch, general store, DLY BBQ, Cup of Ambition coffee, a full-service restaurant, lounging areas and performance spaces.
“Having Dolly as a partner on this venture has been an amazing dream come true,” Polk said in June. “To have the number one superstar in the world as our partner and working on this project has been incredible.”
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Remember Dolly Parton with a trip to her new, signature travel stop
