by Emily Stooks | Aug 18, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Entertainment
When we sat down with Bailee Bridwell to learn more about The Star of Knoxville riverboat, we figured this thing you’re reading now would be about said boat. After all, it is one of only four authentic paddlewheel riverboats in the USA, right on the Tennessee River in good ole downtown Knoxville. Cool, right?
Very cool, yes. BUT y’all, >this family. They are precious. Settle in for the cutest story. (And then, once you’ve fallen in love with the Cheek/Bridwell fam, we promise we’ll tell you all about how you can bring your very own pizza and wine to deck of the boat. Cross our hearts.)
THE (ADORABLE) STORY:
Let’s start with the parents. Bailee Bridwell’s father, Mike Cheek, started working on riverboats in Nashville at the geriatric age of fifteen years old. (We assume he liked it okay, because he’s now been in the riverboat business for a mere 43 years.) After spending a few summers as a deckhand, in walked a new boat photographer: Tammy.
Because this is the cutest story ever, Mike and Tammy obviously fell in love, got married, and started a little family. (*sob*🥺💛)
Awhile later, this little family moved to Knoxville from Nashville so Mike could be the General Manager of, you guessed it, the Star of Knoxville. Mike made the trip in 1988, but get this: When the owners decided to move the riverboat in 1994, Mike offered to buy her so she could stay in our sweet Knoxville. Tennessee. (We could hardly contain ourselves when we heard this tidbit of information. Is this not a Hallmark movie waiting to happen?? Romance, risk, rivers – this story has it all!)
Okay, back to the story.
Bailee and her brother were just babies when the Cheeks moved to the Scruffy City, so they basically grew up on The Star of Knoxville. They went on all the cruises. They knew all the crew. They even ended up being on the crew as teenagers. (As a little kid, the “Boomsday Cruise” was her favorite. The boat would be so close to the fireworks, they’d all end the night covered in ashes. KNOXVILLE FREAKING GOALS.)
After college, Bailee left for a few years to gain experience on other boats (one of the biggest riverboats in the country in Savannah, to be exact), and when she finally came back to Knoxville in 2019, her parents handed her the keys.
This family affair has come full circle now. Bailee’s dad, brother, and husband are all captains – but it gets even cuter. You know how Bailee and her brother grew up on the boat? Well, if you see a stroller in the corner or some precious babies being passed around by the crew, you’re more than likely on a cruise with Bailee’s own sweet twins who are all set to grow up on the same boat as their mom and uncle. Some members of the crew have literally seen two generations of kiddos grow up on the boat. (*pause to sob from cuteness*)
Image by @tennesseeriverboat
by Emily Stooks | May 27, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Entertainment, Outdoors
When you walk through the doors of Knoxville Adventure Collective, there’s a good chance you’ll meet the goodest of good boys: Japhy. Japhy is not just the KAC shop dog. His wagging tail and sweet demeanor are sure to dispel any lingering fears of things like “exercise” or “being outdoorsy.” (Just me? Well, okay then.)
If you meet Japhy, there’s a good chance you’ll also meet the owner of KAC – Jon. You know that phenomenon where dogs and their people give off the same energy? That’s Japhy and Jon. They’ll both welcome you in with their laidback positive vibes, get you set up, launch you off the dock, even hand you a beer when your adventure comes to a close. (Okay, Japhy may not do all of that but he’s still the very best boy.)
Jon Terry only landed in Knoxville from North Carolina a couple years ago, but you’d never guess it by walking into KAC. In fact, there may not be another business in Knoxville who captures the Scruffy City’s essence so completely.
The owner of Knoxville Adventure Collective, Jon
That’s a bold claim, so allow us to explain. Knoxville Adventure Collective is located right downtown, tucked on the far edge of Volunteer Landing. You can easily find your way there after a Babalu brunch, a K Brew coffee date, or a Knox Brew Hub hang. (As more “brunch people” than “outdoorsy people,” this detail is important to us 😉)
However, once you meander down to the edge of Volunteer Landing, downtown feels like a lifetime away. East Tennessee is about to completely open up to you. Friend, Jon is about to. Hook. You. Up.
You can hop on a paddle board right then & there and enjoy downtown views from the river. If you’re lookin’ for a little more, the folks at KAC can drop you off at the Holston River launch for a longer adventure. Over the river life? They can set you up with a mountain bike and transport you to Baker Creek Preserve for a day in the forest playground. OR you can rent equipment all dang day and take your adventure vessels anywhere you want. AND THEN you can come back for a moonlit paddle adventure sponsored by Albright Brew Co.
Are you exhausted or exhilarated after reading that? If you’re exhausted, we have good news: all adventures can end with a brew back at the KAC headquarters (you may even get to hang with Japhy again! No you’re obsessed) all the way til 10pm.
Being downtown and a launchpad for outdoor adventuring, Knoxville Adventure Collective truly is the best of both worlds. (*pause for Hannah Montana dance party*) And according to Jon, it’s only going to get better. “Knoxville is hitting its stride. What they’ve done with the Urban Wilderness and things like that leaves a lot of room for outdoor growth – theres just a lot going on.”
And while we’re absolutely satisfied with downtown paddle boarding, Jon sees more on the horizon: everything from personalized guided trips to backpacking in the Smokies.
So many of us move to Knoxville for her access to all things outdoors. Jon and the folks at Knoxville Adventure Collective can legitimately help you start experiencing and exploring it. And after a year like we’ve had (KAC opened deep in the heart of the pandemic – ow), a summer spent on bikes with pals, or in canoes with friends, or *fill in the outdoor adventure blank*, is just what the doctor ordered.
Or you can just rent a kayak for an hour as an excuse to hang out with Japhy. We get it. No judgement here.
Japhy, the Knoxville Adventure Dog
Do you want to experience more of Knoxville’s outdoor scene? Click here to start exploring everything from hikes to local quarries!
by Emily Stooks | Apr 22, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Food & Drink
If there’s one thing you can count on with the old geezers in your life, it’s that they can tell a good story. Friends, true to form, Geezers Brewery is so full of good stories, it’s honestly hard to know where to start.
by Emily Stooks | Mar 20, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Food & Drink
If you ask us, Mongolian beef and egg rolls are absolutely critical to the success of breakups, Gilmore Girls marathons, and rainy weekend evenings.
But besides that being (what we’re just going to go ahead and assume is) a universal truth, Asian-American small businesses got hit particularly hard during pandemic; and now we believe it’s more important than ever to share the love for some of our favorite restaurants in Knoxville owned by local Asian and Asian-American folks.
So without further ado, here are 7 awesome spots to check out this week – one for every day!
1. Hey Bear Cafe: TAIWANESE BOBA TEA
West Knoxville
We fell in love with them for their fantastic bubble tea – but now with their massive backyard, food truck park, markets, and concerts – it’s quickly spiraled into a full on obsession.
2. Bida Saigon: VIETNAMESE CUISINE
West Knoxville
We’re certainly not claiming to be pho-nominal pho connoisseurs, (*wink*) but if you ask us – Bida Saigon has the best in town. Plus you can take a Target run right afterwards and if that isn’t the dream then we ask you: WHAT IS?
3. Sticky Rice Cafe: LAOTIAN CUISINE
West Knoxville
We dare you to try find someone who’s been to Sticky Rice Cafe and didn’t adore it. We. Dare. You. This family run spot has the friendliest staff – and their sticky rice mango?? Unreal.
4. Jai Dee: THAI & JAPANESE CUISINE
Fort Sanders – Campus
This spot is tucked right next to campus (specifically, right next to the OG Golden Roast). If you blink, you could miss it – and then you’d be missing out on rave-worthy ramen and the best-kept-secret sushi in town. Basically, don’t blink.
5. Golden Garden: CHINESE CUISINE
Located on Western, we have had approximately…. ah, yes ZERO things here that we didn’t absolutely adore. We’re talking crave-worthy Chinese food and the sweetest staff to boot!
6. Asia Kitchen: CHINESE CUISINE
We first heard about Asia Kitchen because they were featured on an episode of Ugly Delicious (!!!) and, y’all, it lived up to the very intense hype we created for ourselves. They’re also located right next to another fave – Sunrise Market!
7. Fin-Two: JAPANESE CUISINE
Who knew late night ramen was exactly what the Old City needed? Add to that some good brews and insane specialty rolls (named with Knoxville in mind *swooon*), and we’re absolutely hooked.
Alright friends, consider this very non-comprehensive list official permission to treat yourself to some delicious takeout from Asian restaurants in Knoxville this week. Our girl Jes said it best over on her Instagram @jessoulfood, “Many of my friends love East Asian food. Would you love the people who make this delicious food? Please order from your local Asian owned small businesses… and when you pick up your food, ask them how they are doing.”
Community, kindness, and pad thai?? Sign us up.
by Emily Stooks | Mar 19, 2021 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Shopping
Jade Adams is the stylish, hilarious owner of Oglewood Avenue – and frankly, we’d like to be her new best friend. (It’s not weird, okay? Don’t make it weird.)
Besides, considering the way she takes care of her plants, she’d be a good best friend to have.
Let’s back up:
Remember COVID-19? Right. Well, that pandemic clearly impacted all of us.
Daily routines, future plans, businesses all had to pivot.
Jade Adams, however, (you know, our future best friend) is used to pivoting.
A couple of years ago, she was planning on being a doctor who took photos as a hobby.
PIVOT: she became a professional photographer with a casual microbiology degree.
Starting a business as a young Black woman was not easy in Knoxville (she hadn’t even officially finished college before making the launch), but Jade has embraced the adventure.
“There’re not many people who look like you, you know?” she said, “So I love getting to highlight the people who do.”
Soon, people began seeking her out as a safe person to capture their moments and be a part of their stories. You can see it all over her photography page. Beautiful photos of all kinds of people grace the screen: Black people, White people, LGBTQ couples, interracial couples, the list goes on. There’s just a lot of love.
Jade brought that kind of love to her new business as well.
Remember how she pivots?
Well, a few months ago, she was a professional photographer with a plant hobby… but as social distancing kept being a thing, she decided it was time, yet again, to pivot. Now Jade has added a new title to her resume as well: Plant Mom Extraordinaire.
Raise your hand if you’re a millennial who likes plants. (*raises hand*)
Raise your hand if you’re a millennial who kills plants. (*raises hand*)
Friends, Jade is not going to let you kill her plants. No, buying plants from Oglewood Avenue is personal. In fact, you don’t buy them at all. You adopt them. They’re her babies, after all.
As you stroll through Oglewood Avenue and search for your new green child, she’ll also help you find the perfect pot, the perfect window in your house, the perfect plant friends to make your indoor jungle (or, hey, solitary tiny cactus – no one’s judging here) live long and prosper.
As much as she cares for her plants and her customers, Oglewood Avenue has even bigger cares. Jade is already using her new business to spread awareness and make change for the Black community – from action-oriented giveaways to donating a portion of her profits to activist groups. “More plants will be added daily and I will work my tail off to not only educate, but spark dialogue. We, as people, can do better,” Jade stated in a Instagram post last summer.
Okay, that’s not entirely true.
She’s actually been Plant Mom Extraordinaire for awhile now. In fact, her home was busting at the seams with them. These plants (or “plant babies” as she calls them) have always been serenaded and misted, pruned and ogled at, but now… they’re also for sale via her new business venture: Oglewood Avenue.
As we sat in a shared work space for this interview, her eyes kept wandering to the plant in the corner, “She needs to be rotated. Just a little bit. You see how it’s leaning? It just needs to be rotated.” In the midst of our conversation, I not only learned more about Jade and Oglewood Avenue – I also learned my (now dead, woops) plant may have needed a south facing window, or perhaps needed to be misted, or even dusted more regularly.
You learn something new everyday, friends.
And thankfully, Jade Adams is willing to teach.
Here are some things we learned in the midst of our conversation:
1.) I may have an actual chance at keeping a plant alive someday, if Jade helps.
2.) Moe Beez has amazing chicken wings (Jade casually goes two or three times a week, it’s fine).
3.) A brand new plant business, quietly nestled on N. Broadway, born in the midst of the pandemic, and passionate about greater causes is going to make some waves, friends. (In fact, it already is – have you heard of a little network called HGTV?)
So, if we can be so bold as to leave you with some advice: you could use a plant in your life. Happy shopping!
If you’d like to support more local Black Owned businesses in Knoxville, this is a good place to start!
