Bernadette's Crystal Gardens is more than three years in the making, and the West family is almost ready to open the doors. We take an exclusive tour of the crystal-themed bar on Market Square and check out behind the scenes at Babalu, which is reopening on Gay Street under the same ownership as the neighboring Maple Hall. We share big plans for what's going in the Kress building and Kern's Bakery. Plus, how now-retired arena manager Tim Reese made an impact on Thompson-Boling Arena since its opening in 1987. 

Bernadette's Crystal Gardens is more than three years in the making, and the West family is almost ready to open the doors. We take an exclusive tour of the crystal-themed bar on Market Square and check out behind the scenes at Babalu, which is reopening on Gay Street under the same ownership as the neighboring Maple Hall. We share big plans for what's going in the Kress building and Kern's Bakery. Plus, how now-retired arena manager Tim Reese made an impact on Thompson-Boling Arena since its opening in 1987.&nbsp;

Every Tuesday, host Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com, part of the USA Today Network.

Every Tuesday, host Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com, part of the USA Today Network.

Each Monday, Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News, part of the USA Today Network.

The Scruffy Stuff

Kick back with Ryan Wilusz and Calvin Mattheis each Monday for the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville, and stay tuned on Thursdays for "Last Call" conversations with special guests. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News, part of the USA Today Network.

Bernadette's Crystal Gardens is more than three years in the making, and the West family is almost ready to open the doors. We take an exclusive tour of the crystal-themed bar on Market Square and check out behind the scenes at Babalu, which is reopening on Gay Street under the same ownership as the neighboring Maple Hall. We share big plans for what's going in the Kress building and Kern's Bakery. Plus, how now-retired arena manager Tim Reese made an impact on Thompson-Boling Arena since its opening in 1987.

Babalu, Bernadette's and other downtown Knoxville openings

The proposed Neyland Entertainment District, shake-ups at WUTK and new public parking spaces. It's safe to say the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is at a turning point. 

Staying on top of it all is higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, who joins host Ryan Wilusz on this week's episode to discuss the biggest changes the campus community should expect and how those changes impact the rest of Knoxville. 

LINKS:
How University of Tennessee students are scrambling to keep WUTK on air in 'hectic' times
Parking passes on sale for University of Tennessee: How to buy amid major changes
Inside look at Tennessee plans for Neyland district: Cost, restaurants, parking garage
Important dates and costs University of Tennessee families must know before fall semester
What's that big building going up between Publix and Sutherland Avenue next to Tyson Park? 
University of Tennessee dining shakeups bring new restaurants to 'best value' campus

"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here.

The proposed Neyland Entertainment District, shake-ups at WUTK and new public parking spaces. It's safe to say the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is at a turning point. 
Staying on top of it all is higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, who joins host Ryan Wilusz on this week's episode to discuss the biggest changes the campus community should expect and how those changes impact the rest of Knoxville. 
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/07/25/university-of-tennessee-students-scramble-to-keep-hectic-wutk-on-air/74431814007/">How University of Tennessee students are scrambling to keep WUTK on air in 'hectic' times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/education/2024/07/26/purchase-university-of-tennessee-knoxville-student-staff-parking-passes/74545967007/">Parking passes on sale for University of Tennessee: How to buy amid major changes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/07/29/neyland-entertainment-district-tennessee-football-cost-restaurants-parking-garage/74549331007/">Inside look at Tennessee plans for Neyland district: Cost, restaurants, parking garage</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/education/2024/07/31/university-tennessee-knoxville-fafsa-parking-tuition-deadlines-fall-2024-semester/74594342007/">Important dates and costs University of Tennessee families must know before fall semester</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/08/02/whats-that-knoxville-student-apartments-near-university-tennessee-publix/74624299007/">What's that big building going up between Publix and Sutherland Avenue next to Tyson Park? </a></li>
<li><a href="University%20of%20Tennessee%20dining%20shakeups%20bring%20new%20restaurants%20to%20'best%20value'%20campus">University of Tennessee dining shakeups bring new restaurants to 'best value' campus</a></li>
</ul>
"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/">knoxnews.com. </a>Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by <a href="https://profile.knoxnews.com/newsletters/urban-knoxville">clicking here</a>.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2476530172607529/"></a>

The proposed Neyland Entertainment District, shake-ups at WUTK and new public parking spaces. It's safe to say the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is at a turning point.   Staying on top of it all is higher education reporter Keenan Thomas, who joins host Ryan Wilusz on this week's episode to discuss the biggest changes the campus community should expect and how those changes impact the rest of Knoxville.   LINKS:  How University of Tennessee students are scrambling to keep WUTK on air in 'hectic' times Parking passes on sale for University of Tennessee: How to buy amid major changes Inside look at Tennessee plans for Neyland district: Cost, restaurants, parking garage Important dates and costs University of Tennessee families must know before fall semester What's that big building going up between Publix and Sutherland Avenue next to Tyson Park?  University of Tennessee dining shakeups bring new restaurants to 'best value' campus "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here.

What do big University of Tennessee changes mean for the rest of Knoxville?

Whether you have the voice of an angel or require a little liquid courage before taking the stage, karaoke is always a fun option for a night out, and Knoxville has plenty of options. 

Knox News reporter Allie Feinberg joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss their recent visits to some of the most popular karaoke destinations in town. They talk about what makes each venue unique, what makes for a good karaoke song and what songs they consider their go-to choices. 

"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

Whether you have the voice of an angel or require a little liquid courage before taking the stage, karaoke is always a fun option for a night out, and Knoxville has plenty of options. 
Knox News reporter Allie Feinberg joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss their recent visits to some of the most popular karaoke destinations in town. They talk about what makes each venue unique, what makes for a good karaoke song and what songs they consider their go-to choices. 
"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/">knoxnews.com. </a>Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by <a href="https://profile.knoxnews.com/newsletters/urban-knoxville">clicking here,</a> and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2476530172607529/">the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.</a>

Whether you have the voice of an angel or require a little liquid courage before taking the stage, karaoke is always a fun option for a night out, and Knoxville has plenty of options.   Knox News reporter Allie Feinberg joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss their recent visits to some of the most popular karaoke destinations in town. They talk about what makes each venue unique, what makes for a good karaoke song and what songs they consider their go-to choices.   The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

What are the best places to sing karaoke in Knoxville?

The left turn into and out of the Knoxville McKay's used books and record store on Papermill Drive is a headache on a normal day.

But when the store celebrated its 50th anniversary July 9 with an all-day, prize-filled road trip to five locations in Tennessee and North Carolina, traffic was exacerbated − and some got more than they bargained for.

Growth and development reporter Daniel Dassow joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss all things McKay's, from how people spent their $800 in store credit to why the Knoxville store is so popular to begin with. Plus, we share some of our favorite and most hilarious social media posts documenting the madness. 

LINKS:

>> What happened at McKay's bookstore? Inside the cross-state road trip for a hot bargain

>> Our $800 McKay's shopping list: Obscure titles, a 'Peppa Pig' cap and one pricey dinosaur

>> 'Woodstock of 2024': McKay's road trippers reminisce and cash in after a hot day in lines

The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

The left turn into and out of the Knoxville McKay's used books and record store on Papermill Drive is a headache on a normal day.
But when the store celebrated its 50th anniversary July 9 with an all-day, prize-filled road trip to five locations in Tennessee and North Carolina, traffic was exacerbated − and some got more than they bargained for.
Growth and development reporter Daniel Dassow joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss all things McKay's, from how people spent their $800 in store credit to why the Knoxville store is so popular to begin with. Plus, we share some of our favorite and most hilarious social media posts documenting the madness. 
LINKS:
&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/money/business/2024/07/10/mckays-50th-anniversary-road-trip-heats-up-knoxville-bookstore/74350347007/">What happened at McKay's bookstore? Inside the cross-state road trip for a hot bargain</a>
&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/07/11/mckays-anniversary-earns-road-trippers-800-what-can-that-buy/74350500007/">Our $800 McKay's shopping list: Obscure titles, a 'Peppa Pig' cap and one pricey dinosaur</a>
&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/money/business/2024/07/11/mckays-bookstore-50th-anniversary-road-trip-compared-to-woodstock-2024/74356869007/">'Woodstock of 2024': McKay's road trippers reminisce and cash in after a hot day in lines</a>
The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/">knoxnews.com. </a>Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by <a href="https://profile.knoxnews.com/newsletters/urban-knoxville">clicking here,</a> and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2476530172607529/">the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.</a>

The left turn into and out of the Knoxville McKay's used books and record store on Papermill Drive is a headache on a normal day.  But when the store celebrated its 50th anniversary July 9 with an all-day, prize-filled road trip to five locations in Tennessee and North Carolina, traffic was exacerbated − and some got more than they bargained for.  Growth and development reporter Daniel Dassow joins host Ryan Wilusz to discuss all things McKay's, from how people spent their $800 in store credit to why the Knoxville store is so popular to begin with. Plus, we share some of our favorite and most hilarious social media posts documenting the madness.   LINKS:  >> What happened at McKay's bookstore? Inside the cross-state road trip for a hot bargain  >> Our $800 McKay's shopping list: Obscure titles, a 'Peppa Pig' cap and one pricey dinosaur  >> 'Woodstock of 2024': McKay's road trippers reminisce and cash in after a hot day in lines  The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

Babalu, Bernadette's and other downtown Knoxville openings

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