What Stores or National Chains Do You Want in Knoxville?

5Feb2010 Filed under: Business, KFQ, Popular, Questions Author: Suzy Trotta

Given the recent buzz about a national chain possibly landing in Downtown Knoxville, we thought today’s question was fitting. On a side note, one of the most popular posts here at Knoxify was/is a retail rumor.

What stores or national chains would you like to see in Knoxville?

Photo by: RodBegbie

Tags: Business, Knoxify Friday Question

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

41 Responses to “What Stores or National Chains Do You Want in Knoxville?”

Shawn Hatmaker
February 5th, 2010 at 8:11 am

Trader Joe’s
Gexx
February 5th, 2010 at 8:13 am

I really don’t want any, especially in downtown. First Urban Outfitters and eventually we’ll see Old Navy and GAP. I’ve been in downtowns that try to revitalize by bringing in bigger retail names (like Savannah, GA and Saratoga Springs, NY) and they just feel like an outdoor mall.

Mast, I feel is different because it’s never been a mall store and it is a *regional* chain.
Rob Shomaker
February 5th, 2010 at 8:26 am

Yes Shawn! Trader Joe’s would rock. Heard a rumor maybe a year or so ago that Cabela’s was looking into the area, that’d be nice.
enjoyknoxville
February 5th, 2010 at 8:52 am

This is an interesting topic! RT @knoxify: What Stores or National Chains Do You Want in Knoxville? http://bit.ly/9QjAl0

This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Spencer
February 5th, 2010 at 8:53 am

Amen, Gexx. I take great pride in living in a city whose downtown is practically chain-free. Our downtown business owners and operators are the tenants of the growth and development that takes place in our downtown area, not multi-millionaire bigwig investors who could give two craps about the city. There is a place for chains in Knox County. It is called Turkey Creek.
Dusty
February 5th, 2010 at 8:53 am

Trader Joe’s, no question.
brianhtapp
February 5th, 2010 at 8:58 am

Trader Joe’s RT @knoxify: What Stores or National Chains Do You Want in Knoxville? http://bit.ly/9QjAl0

This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Patrick Beeson
February 5th, 2010 at 9:01 am

I too would rather not see any more chains in this area. West Knox and the whole of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are already polluted with them.

I’d like to see area government offer more incentives for local businesses to move into vacancies downtown.

Mast General Store is about as “chain” as I think we should get.
FrankMurphyCom
February 5th, 2010 at 9:04 am

El Pollo Loco; + a store with DrakesCakes & MarshmallowFluff RT @knoxify What National Chains Do You Want in Knoxville? http://bit.ly/9QjAl0

This comment was originally posted on Twitter
The Modern Gal
February 5th, 2010 at 10:12 am

Downtown does have some chains — mostly restaurants — and I think it’s fine to have them as long as they complement everything else that’s there rather than replace or drive away our local stores. They have a way of drawing people downtown who otherwise might not shop there. A strong downtown business association can help keep the balance in check.

That said, Urban Outfitters isn’t so much my style. Downtown could benefit from something like Trader Joe’s. Otherwise, I’d love to see an Anthropologie. An Ikea on the outskirts of town would be awesome, but I realize Knoxville is way too small for that to happen.
Go Saints!
February 5th, 2010 at 10:24 am

Trader Joe’s please!!
Jay Wigley
February 5th, 2010 at 11:38 am

The last thing Knoxville needs is more chain stores. Every new chain store just makes Knoxville more like every other place in America…no more local charm, no need to get out, just shop from home online. Let’s get more local businesses run by local people going and forget about attracting chain stores or restaurants.
John T.Greene
February 5th, 2010 at 1:32 pm

I would like to see a Jack in the Box on Ashville Hwy. at John Sevier. It’s what I miss the most from Cali.
Jaye
February 5th, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Trader Joe’s and, although it’s not a chain store but a restaurant, I would kill for a Chipotle.
aingle
February 5th, 2010 at 2:24 pm

Taco Mac and Flying Saucer.
JenSmithMoore
February 5th, 2010 at 2:28 pm

Amen to Trader Joe’s! RT @knoxify Knoxville seems to want a Trader Joe’s…BADLY! http://bit.ly/bZJIO9

This comment was originally posted on Twitter
InseineCreation
February 5th, 2010 at 2:33 pm

Yeah we do!! RT @knoxify: Knoxville seems to want a Trader Joe’s…BADLY! http://bit.ly/bZJIO9

This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Alli
February 5th, 2010 at 2:36 pm

TRADER JOES and/or Whole Foods!!!
Alli
February 5th, 2010 at 2:37 pm

Trader Joes and/or Whole Foods!
allib528
February 5th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

That would be WONDERFUL!! RT@knoxify Knoxville seems to want a Trader Joe’s…BADLY! http://bit.ly/bZJIO9

This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Suzy
February 5th, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Wow — thanks for everyone’s comments! I’m with The Modern Gal in that I think a balance of local and national — both downtown and in the rest of Knoxville — is what is realistic. And I, too, have to jump on the Trader Joe’s bandwagon. Oh, and an Ikea wouldn’t be bad either
CP
February 5th, 2010 at 3:27 pm

@ aingle — a Flying Saucer would rock! We always stop in at one when we’re in the Memphis area.
san-dan
February 5th, 2010 at 3:40 pm

Trader Joe’s would rock but they sell wine and of course, grocery stores here by law can not sell wine.
WatsonStudios
February 5th, 2010 at 4:06 pm

And Anthropologie!! RT @brianhtapp: Trader Joe’s RT @knoxify: What Stores or National Chains Do You Want in Knoxville? http://bit.ly/9QjAl0

This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Sandi Swilley
February 5th, 2010 at 4:07 pm

Trader Joes, Nordstrom, Costco, Lululemon would be a start.
Tayler Smith
February 5th, 2010 at 4:24 pm

Pinkberry, Costco, Urban Outfitters, Norstrom.
…And now i miss living in California. haha
DebSteve
February 5th, 2010 at 7:57 pm

I’m with Frank..El Pollo Loco would be great! Also, FreshChoice , Good Earth or Souplantation, maybe even a Marie Calendar’s. I guess I miss the food choices most from California!
mkat33
February 6th, 2010 at 12:28 pm

I’m totally on board with Trader Joe’s. That’s my number one choice. Number two is Meijer. It’s like Super Wal-Mart on steroids. Better selection, better prices, fresher produce and cleaner stores. For what it’s worth, it’s also privately owned.
Karen
February 7th, 2010 at 2:09 pm

I think Urban Outfitters would be a good fit for downtown. They need to have a few more stores and not only restaurants down there. I also think Anthropologie would be terrific. That said. I would like to see a Costco most of all somewhere in Knoxville. I miss it the most and in answer to some of the other posts I read on this website, yes, Costco and Sam’s Club do exist in the same city – Memphis. I don’t even have a Sam’s Club membership. I prefer Costco. It would also be great if there were a Nordstrom’s but I would be surprised if they put a store here.
Noah
February 7th, 2010 at 10:35 pm

I miss eating at Cheddar’s in Cookville.
Knox Animal
February 8th, 2010 at 9:46 am

Pot Belly’s.
Franklin
February 8th, 2010 at 11:02 am

Chipotle and Publix big time.
Erin
February 8th, 2010 at 12:11 pm

Anthropologie, Whole Foods, DSW
Erin
February 8th, 2010 at 12:12 pm

Oh, and definitelty Publix!!! Moved from Jacksonville to Knoxville a year ago and I miss Publix so much!
Becca
February 8th, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Trader Joes would be awesome, Crate and Barrel, and for my husband Taco Johns!
Kevin
February 8th, 2010 at 4:09 pm

@Noah they are building a cheddars across from hunter’s crossing just down from shoe carnival in Maryville
BMitchell
February 8th, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Let’s get rid of some Starbucks and then we’ll talk
Cathy
February 8th, 2010 at 7:40 pm

If Knoxville got a Trader Joes, an Anthropologie and a Nordstrom– I would have to move back– save me a place in North Knoxville
Stephwriter
February 15th, 2010 at 10:20 pm

Another vote for Trader Joe’s. And maybe a Macy’s.
Kris Yates
February 24th, 2010 at 2:15 pm

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium FTW