A new traffic light is expected to be installed on Chapman Highway in the coming months, providing a smoother entrance to Karns Food Hall, and as it continues to grow in popularity as a South Knoxville hangout spot, Karns Food Hall has even more offerings for customers.
The traffic light approved by the Knoxville City Council this week will move the food hall’s entrance further south to the intersection of Chapman Highway and Fort Avenue, near Burger Boys, which will close to make way for the project.
As things currently stand, to enter Karns Food Hall from the north, drivers can use the center lane but must cross in front of oncoming traffic without a reliable signal.
The food hall, located at 2201 Kerns Rising Way, just south of the Henry Street Bridge, will be adding a new entrance lane, two exit lanes and a new crosswalk near the traffic light.
But these infrastructure improvements aren’t the only new amenities coming to Karns Food Hall.
New vendors coming to Karns Food Hall
The first phase of the food hall project opened in April with just a few stores after several years of construction at the former Kern’s Bakery site, with additional stores opening steadily since then.
Kern developer Alex Dominguez spoke to Knox News detailing several vendors that plan to come online in the future:
Amaryllis Taqueria: The Tex-Mex taco concept will open in Kern’s Food Hall in two weeks. You can order margaritas, of course. Basement Lounge: Another development Kern’s is still keeping secret is a basement cocktail lounge. It’s the first of several vendors that are set to open in the basement space. Shhh, it’s a secret from everyone. One of Kern’s big secrets is its speakeasy. Details are scarce, but we know you’ll need a code to get in. Clean Smoke BBQ: Clean Smoke BBQ started as a food truck and is set to open its first permanent location at Kern’s this summer. The restaurant and bar will serve Texas-style barbecue cooked on an open-flame grill. Joseph Root operates both Clean Smoke BBQ and Amaryllis Taqueria. Eggspectations: Eggspectations is applying for permits to become an anchor at Kern’s. This international concept will open in a 5,000-square-foot space. The French Cookie: This concept is in the design phase and is expected to open in late summer. The French Cookie opened its first location in Cookeville last year. T. Ralph’s Burgers: This concept is still under construction in Kern’s.
Karns Food Hall’s big plans include a hotel in South Knoxville
Besides the new vendors, Karns Food Hall has big ideas for its expansive space.
Long-term: Dominguez said Kearns is considering opening a dog park or dog spa, finding new uses for the building’s historic silos and establishing an art trail on the property. Possible hotel: Dominguez spoke about the possibility of building a hotel on what is now a gravel lot near Kearns. It’s not something Kearns would have to do, but it could be “fun and inviting,” he said. If a hotel does come to fruition, construction could be as far away as two years from now.
Keenan Thomas reports to Knox News’ Business Growth and Development team and can be reached at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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