Turkey Creek Public Market: Wow!

Grandpa Giggles waits for the festivities to begin. At left are developers John Turley and Jim Nixon.

Grandpa Giggles waits for the festivities to begin. At left are developers John Turley and Jim Nixon.

Turkey Creek Public Market opened at 10 this morning and I’m still recovering! What a whirlwind of commerce that place is! It’s a combination of Southern Market, First Friday and Tennessee Valley Fair all rolled into one, if you can imagine. Whew! And it will be open every weekend. Click here for the website with all the details.

Just wanted to share some of the sights from today. But, truthfully, you’ve got to see it (and taste it and hear it and smell it!) to believe it. The Turkey Creek Public Market is located in the former Outlets Mall off Lovell Road near Cotton Eyed Joe. It is across the interstate from the massive Turkey Creek development.Just prior to the public opening, the Farragut/West Knox Chamber of Commerce helped orchestrate a ribbon cutting complete with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill, the developers and assorted other politicians, market vendors and supporters.

These young ladies welcomed visitors with t-shirts and brochures.

These young ladies welcomed visitors with t-shirts and brochures.

Charles Atchley is the primary developer of the Turkey Creek Public Market.

Charles Atchley is the primary developer of the Turkey Creek Public Market.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett exclaimed, "This is America!"

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett exclaimed, "This is America!"

Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill praises private enterprize at the market: "This is what makes America great!"

Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill praises private enterprise at the market: "This is what makes America great!"

A nice crowd looked on.

A nice crowd looked on.

More than a dozen representatives of the news media were on hand.

More than a dozen representatives of the news media were on hand.

Betty Sisko, president of the Farragut/West Knox Chamber, gives instructions for the ribbon cutting. I wonder how many of these things she has supervised!

Bettye Sisco, president of the Farragut/West Knox Chamber, gives instructions for the ribbon cutting. I wonder how many of these things she has supervised!

Finally, the big moment. From left, Betty Sisco, Charles Atchley, Mayor Ralph McGill, Mayor Tim Burchett, developer David Fiser and developer John Turley

Finally, the big moment. From left, Bettye Sisco, Charles Atchley, Mayor Ralph McGill, Mayor Tim Burchett, developer David Fiser and developer John Turley

John Turley, left, poses with his partner, Charles Atchley, center, and Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill.

John Turley, left, poses with his partner, Charles Atchley, center, and Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill.

John Turley, left, and Charles Atchley share a moment with veteran photographer Harley Ferguson.

John Turley, left, and Charles Atchley share a moment with veteran photographer Harley Ferguson.

Nice display. Interesting rooster!

Nice display. Interesting rooster!

At 10 a.m., Mark Barnett from Nashville started the music.

At 10 a.m., Mark Barnett from Nashville started the music.

And then the shopping began!

Following their noses to the wonderful aromas, customers quickly formed a line at First Family Bakery.

Following their noses to the wonderful aromas, customers quickly formed a line at First Family Bakery.

From left, Gail Davis, Jackie Kinser and Rick Cooper at the Jackie's Jewels booth

From left, Gail Davis, Jackie Kinser and Rick Cooper at the Jackie's Jewels booth

Patsy Stair is attracted to all the orange at the Victorious and Baby Cakes booth.

Patsy Stair is attracted to all the orange at the Victorious and Baby Cakes booth.

Edon Buffer, left and Donna MacMillan in the Sweetpea Bowtique shop

Edon Buffer, left and Donna MacMillan in the Sweetpea Bowtique shop

Kelsey Long is carefully considering the offerings at Consign to Design.

Kelsey Long is carefully considering the offerings at Consign to Design.

Jessie's Cast Iron, Rugs and More attracted Bob Christian.

Jessie's Cast Iron, Rugs and More attracted Bob Christian.

Denise Richardson, left, shows Sharon Horn a find she's made at Goodness Gracious MeOMy.

Denise Richardson, left, shows Sharon Horn a find she's made at Goodness Gracious MeOMy.

The folks from Bennett Galleries were still unpacking their treasures.

The folks from Bennett Galleries were still unpacking their treasures.

Diane Duncan admires the wares at Gift, Gourmet and Interiors.

Diane Duncan admires the wares at Gift, Gourmet and Interiors.

I loved the elegant place setting at Gift, Gourmet and Interiors.

I loved the elegant place setting at Gift, Gourmet and Interiors.

Need a rug? Persian Galleries is there.

Need a rug? Persian Galleries is there.

The band Out of the Blue for Lenoir City was performing in the food court.

The bluegrass band Out of the Blue from Lenoir City was performing in the food court.

Nearby, I spotted one of my favorite booths, Pepper Palace, which had hundreds of kinds of hot sauces and other condiments.

Nearby, I spotted one of my favorite booths, Pepper Palace, which had hundreds of kinds of hot sauces and other condiments.

Ha! Here's their mascot!

Ha! Here's their mascot!

John Lewis was giving away samples of some very unusual candy at Sweet and Sour USA. You cut it with scissors!

John Lewis was giving away samples of some very unusual candy at Sweet and Sour USA. You cut it with scissors!

I asked him how the watermelon candy tasted. His answer: "Just like watermelon. But no seeds." I bought some!

I asked him how the watermelon candy tasted. His answer: "Just like watermelon. But no seeds." I bought some!

Morning Star Butcher Shop has great looking cuts of meat on display.

Morning Star Butcher Shop has great looking cuts of meat on display.

If you need a purse, this is the place to go!

If you need a purse, this is the place to go!

These were at a booth called If I Was a Rich Girl owned by Dina Haddad.

These were at a booth called If I Was a Rich Girl owned by Dina Haddad.

Looking for cigarettes or other tobacco products? Visit Discount Tobacco Pack.

Looking for cigarettes or other tobacco products? Visit Discount Tobacco Pack.

And then there's the shop called Ribbons, Rings and Sexy Things!

And then there's the shop called Ribbons, Rings and Sexy Things!

In the market for a bra?

In the market for a bra?

Joe Moore has written a book called, "Faith, Hope and  Reindeer." He poses here with Electra Keith.

Joe Moore has written a book called, "Faith, Hope and Reindeer." He poses here with Electra Keith.

No kidding!

No kidding!

Remember a few weeks ago when Charles Atchley bought the cheese cart from Regas Restaurant at auction? Here it is!

Remember a few weeks ago when Charles Atchley bought the cheese cart from Regas Restaurant at auction? Here it is!

I can't imagine anyone getting bored, but just in case, there are big screen TVs in the food court!

I can't imagine anyone getting bored, but just in case, there are big screen TVs in the food court!

Outside, there's a farmers' market. This corn is from Hudson Farms in Sale Creek Mountain, Tenn.

Outside, there's a farmers' market. This corn is from Hudson Farms in Sale Creek Mountain, Tenn.

Beautiful, exotic mushrooms are from Brewers Mushrooms in Sevierville.

Beautiful, exotic mushrooms are from Brewers Mushrooms in Sevierville.

Begonians and many other plants are from Gregory's Greenhouse, which also has a booth at Market Square Farmers' Market. He's gotten a second truck so he can be at both locations on Saturdays.

Begonias and many other plants are from Gregory's Greenhouse, which also has a booth at Market Square Farmers' Market. He's gotten a second truck so he can be at both locations on Saturdays.

Here's the exterior! As I said, you gotta see it!

Here's the exterior! As I said, you gotta see it!

Photo credit: Moxley Carmichael’s graphics intern Desiree Kirchbaum took the photos of Jackie’s Jewels, Consign to Design, Jessie’s Cast Iron, Rugs and More, Gift and Gourmet, Victorious and Baby Cakes, Sweetpea Bowtique, Goodness Gracious MeOMy, and the exterior. Thanks, Desiree!

Here is the official news release about Turkey Creek Public Market opening. Click here.

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