Comments on: Friction at First Friday

By: Aaron Thompson

Aaron Thompson — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:36:26 +0000

I can only offer my perspective based on how business has changed over the last three years on First Friday’s downtown. We have held a couple of events to get into the spirit of First Friday and had mixed results. If I compare sales on First Friday from 2006 to 2009, sales were up by a couple thousand dollars back then (they are still good, though).

Discussing the issue with other prominent downtown residents and talkers, I’m told that there is less businesses participating than when it started (presumably due to poor economy). Giving away free wine and food being a harder thing for people to do.

Did it have anything to do with TDIB’s event? My business is kind of immune to these issues since we are both an early evening restaurant and a late night lounge/nightclub mixture.

I just hope Turkey Creek doesn’t get into this act. We have enough trouble getting people to drive all the way downtown and then they have to *GASP* walk! Knoxville is such a vehicle driven (no pun intended) town. The beauty of downtown is that unlike every other area in Knoxville, it is an area that you can walk from place to place and not feel like you’re next to the interstate (ironic because you are!).

When I was in SoHo in NYC this April, even though it’s divided by a massive street down the middle, it’s still easily walkable. I wish for a day that other areas of Knoxville can gain that same spirit.

By: John Ulmer

John Ulmer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:48:25 +0000

Guess I am going to have to stop proclaiming Downtown Knoxville as the “best looking corpse in the area”. It has come a long way these past years and is looking pretty lively these days. By the bye, Bearden is on a pretty good roll too. The best to both worlds. Each has it’s place.

By: Cynthia Moxley

Cynthia Moxley — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:03:15 +0000

Matt: I completely agree. Who ever thought we’d hear someone say that? And also that downtown has “the world on a string.” It’s wonderful, really, isn’t it? And amazing.

By: Matt Edens

Matt Edens — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:21:17 +0000

“Downtown has everything.”

Knoxville, please take a moment and savor that statement.

By: Beatrice Vogel

Beatrice Vogel — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:29:22 +0000

No one has ever been declined inclusion into The District in Bearden. The more First Friday events the better.

By: the gallery

the gallery — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:45:22 +0000

Rumor has it that folks in the Gallery Shopping Center and surroundings who have been declined inclusion in the Bearden District are considering forming the West Hills District and adding their own flavor to First Friday mix.

By: Beatrice Vogel

Beatrice Vogel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:07:55 +0000

It is my understanding that The District in Bearden was ambushed by Mickey. That meeting was the first time anyone heard that MSDA felt they had the rights to FF and no one else. I do not believe “The City “even knew she was trying to force TDIB to change their night! It should be the more the merrier. It would be much better for the city as a whole to have options all over for everyone to enjoy. There is no competition between these two groups and there shouldn’t be. There is enough for everyone to go around. Also, I do not believe there is any confusion as to where to meet someone at a First Friday Event! Whether at MS or TDIB you are still going to plan on meeting at a specific location! Come on, give people more credit then that! Drop it and I hope to see you on First Friday wherever you choose go!

By: Eric Smith

Eric Smith — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:07:30 +0000

Lordy, Lordy, Lordy… and we expect peace in the Mideast to happen? Hope we don’t resort to eating our own in these anxious times. Share and share alike folks, and put the egos in a box for now. Bearden, don’t remain in a snit. Downtown, knock off with the legal saber rattling. You’ll feel much better.

By: Doug McDaniel

Doug McDaniel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:18:58 +0000

Johnson City also has First Fridays…start in Bearden, hit Market Square and the 100 block, finish at Nelson Fine Arts in JC? kidding…

I am of the opinion that Bearden could have chosen a different night…Just as the historic neighborhoods try to avoid scheduling home tours on the same weekend.

By: Bob McClellan

Bob McClellan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:55:18 +0000

Regina - that has been our position from day one. We are glad to co-exist, but we will not be talked down to and told what we will do. And we certainly will not cave to a threatening letter for a law firm. We feel that all areas of Knoxville…Fountain City, 4th and Gill, South Knox should do a First Friday. It would be a great reflection on Knoxville. There is room enough for everyone…we are a city of 250,000 and metro area of roughly 500,000.