on January 5, 2004
Market square is a block of refurbish turn of the century buildings that have always been a part of Knoxville?s open market. This is where I do all of my Christmas and gift shopping.
In a way a small store on Market Square helped launch the most famous career in musical history. Sam Morrison of Bell Sales Company chose to promote Elvis Presley's "That?s All Right, Mama" by playing it on loudspeakers to the public on the square. He sold hundreds of copies to people of all ages, including two copies to an RCA talent scout in the area searching for local country music talent. The scout sent a copy of the record to his boss in New York. Several months later, RCA bought Elvis's contract from Sun Studios in Memphis.
That particular record store is no more, but you can see where it was as you stroll through the square in the Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour.
So let me give you an overview of the current shops.
Reruns- A cool consignment and name brand only used cloths store
10$-100$
Tomato Head- the best pizza this side of the Mason-Dixon line.
5$-20$
Market Square Book Sellers- Owned by and man and his wife, not a big impersonal corporation. The proprietor always wears a kilt proudly and keeps the largest selection of Scotch/Irish Heritage books in this City. The store is small however it has an amazing selection of local history, art and children?s books. The prices are quite good too. I got a copy of the Canterbury tales for 25 cents.
0.25 - 50$
Bliss-
All the modern art and unusual gifts you could want for the home.
10$ -1000$
Earth to Old City- Cool art, Glycerin soaps with picture in them for every interest, Hippy stuff, organic cosmetics, a frame store and much more.
1.00- 500$
The Village Market place- Imports made by small village artists and artisans from Tennessee and around the world. The catch, all but 10% of the profits goes directly back to the craftsmen. The 10% goes to the local Mennonite church. This place has the best prices and selection of gifts -odd musical instruments, real wooden toys, pottery, art, jewelry and clothes.
1.00- 50$
Nomad- an art gallery
$$$$$$$$
Preservation Pub- as close as you can get to a real Pub in the southern US, which is still very bar like, but it has a very pleasant historical atmosphere anyway. Nice beer selection.
2.00$-10$
More Shops are opening every day.
1.00$ to 5000$
