After years of setbacks, the long-awaited Old Sevier Market is finally open on Sevier Avenue, answering South Knoxville’s calls for a local grocery store.
Knox News stopped in this week to see what products are in stock and to catch up with general manager Claire Taylor, who told Knox News the store is "figuring out the flow and making sure we have what people need to come back."
As a small business, Old Sevier Market is able to take recommendations from customers about products they'd like to see in the store and then put in orders to stock them on shelves. The grocery store, which opened Oct. 10 in the same building as Redbud Kitchen and Hi-Wire Brewing, is already building a base of regulars at 906 Sevier Ave. with that neighborhood-focused
approach.
"That's exactly what we want is people just being able to stop in and get what they need or something that they want," Taylor said.
Chris Morton, an owner of nearby Alliance Brewing Company and South Coast Pizza, led the charge on Old Sevier Market and previously told Knox News he was working with multiple partners to follow through on his vision.
Borrowing from the Trader Joe's playbook, Morton has worked for years to transform the 4,500-square-foot space into a South Knoxville hub stocked with a little bit of everything but only a limited selection of brands. The store is now open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Old Sevier Market will continue to add more products to its inventory, including more local produce and baked goods. The store is hoping to sell beer and wine soon, Taylor said.
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: South Knoxville finally has the local grocery store it's waited years for
