“You all have a kick-ass town!”

Kim Trent, executive director of Knox Heritage, with Don Short of West End Salvage, the TV show.

That’s what Don Short, the star of the Scripps Networks TV show, West End Salvage, had to say when he made an appearance here recently at a Knox Heritage Summer Supper fundraiser.

Short, whose show runs on Scripps’ DIY Network, spent time on Market Square and in the Old City, he had dinner at Knox Mason on Gay Street and lunch at Tupelo Honey. “Knoxville rocks,” he said. “It’s really a special place.”

Appropriately, Short’s appearance was at the Summer Supper held at Knox Heritage’s Salvage Shop at 619 Broadway. The Salvage Shop is a program that accepts donated historic building materials (50+ years old) to prevent these valuable items from going to the landfill. These items are resold to benefit Knox Heritage. The donations include historic materials such as sinks, stoves, doors, windows, wood, flooring, hardware, lighting, furniture and more. All donations are tax deductible.

A vintage coffee pot for sale in the Knox Heritage Salvage Shop.

Short was the perfect guest for this event. He owns West End Architectural Salvage in Des Moines, Iowa. It is a five-story, 50,000-square-foot warehouse that includes not only thousands of salvaged historical items, but also a coffee shop, wine bar and workshop where Don and his team build and restore furniture. The facility also doubles as an event space where last year 40 special events, including many weddings, were scheduled.

Short got into the business by accident really. In 2004, as a result of restoring several historic homes, a passion of his, he decided to have a weekend tag sale to get rid of some of the salvage he had collected and free up some space in his storage unit. The sale was so successful that he did it again the following weekend. And the enterprise grew and grew from there. West End Salvage, the TV show, is in its second season on DIY.

Alan Carmichael at the entrance to the Knox Heritage Salvage Shop at 619 Broadway.

One of the hosts, Mickey Mallonee, was there to cheerfully check folks in.

Francie Elrod offered “scruffy city” deviled eggs as a starter.

Isn’t the dining space stunning? That’s thanks to Chris Davis and Craig Shelton of The Drawing Room. They also were among the evening’s hosts.

Annette Brun was chair of the planning committee. Her husband, Scott Brun, was on the committee, as well.

Unique centerpieces featuring salvaged items were on every table.

This appetizer was a delicious throwback: onion dip and gourmet potato chips.

Kyle Anne Lang helps host Dino Cartwright staff the bar.

Loved the lemons in the flowers at the bar.

Interesting light fixtures on display. Everyone attending got a 25 percent discount on purchases.

Which helped Susana Sutherland decide to buy this cool vintage hat.

And this cabinet.

Susan Brown, left, and Janet Testerman Creswell were among the hosts.

So was photographer Vaiden Taylor.

Loved these lighted mason jars.

The salvage shop even has art.

Guests included Kim Henry, left, and Judith Bible.

And Georgiana Vines.

Debra Thacker and Michael Croyle.

Beth Meadows is the salvage coordinator for Knox Heritage.

My hubs, Alan Carmichael, with our former intern Lindsay Cates.

Another cute vintage hat.

Harold Nagge provided tunes to shop and dine by.

Kim and Dennis Denton shared a table with us for dinner.

So did Dawn and Richard Ford.

Dinner included Waldorf salad, chicken Kiev in white wine sauce, beef Stroganoff, roasted potatoes with creme fraiche, haricot verts with pine nuts and glazed carrots.

And banana pudding.

Which, of course, was Alan’s favorite thing.

Here’s Don Short explaining how he got into the salvage business in a big way.

Bill and Susan Morris were all ears.

Mickey Mallonee and her fellow host, Melissa Charles, winding down at the end of the evening.

Other hosts not mentioned in this post included Louise Ball, Mary Ellen and Steve Brewington, Martha Buchanan, Austin Ferber, Mark Grayson, Laurie Macnair, Danielle and Mike Stokes, Kent Takano and Joey Creswell. Great job, folks.

Short is right. We do have a kick-ass town!