🌶️ Hattie B’s just landed on the Strip

Well, Knoxville just got a little hotter. Hattie B’s officially opened on The Strip this week, bringing Nashville hot chicken to a block that already knows a thing or two about feeding hungry college students.

There’s plenty more happening around town, too. A new downtown development is underway, Northshore has a new pizza stop, and the weekend calendar is packed with things to do.

Let’s get into it.

🌶️ Nashville hot chicken made it to Rocky Top

The Gist: Hattie B's Hot Chicken opened its first Knoxville location yesterday, August 12, on the ground floor of the Hub Knoxville development at 2001 Cumberland Avenue on The Strip. It's the 20th Hattie B's overall and the first in East Tennessee, with a 2,530-square-foot dining room seating 64 and a covered patio for another 33.

Why It Matters: For co-founder Nick Bishop Jr., Knoxville was always the pin on the map, and executive chef Brian Morris got his start cooking on this exact block at UT in the late '90s. That local homecoming is the real story here.

🏗️ Ground breaks on 144-Unit development near Old City

The Gist: Construction is officially underway on MAC on Fifth, a five-story mixed-use development at 200 W. Fifth Avenue on the site of the former MAC Auto Loans building. Bluedog Capital Partners and Rhode Island co-developer Dominion Group broke ground August 5 alongside Mayor Indya Kincannon and city leaders.

Why It Matters: The project will include 144 residential units and roughly 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail. Developers expect the building to be completed by the end of 2026.

🍕 Northshore’s newest reason to ditch dinner prep

Daps Pizza & Provisions opened last month on the Northshore corridor, bringing cold drinks and proper crust to the block.

The Fist Bump layers red sauce, house meats, and lemon ricotta, while the white-sauce Rock On brings fried chicken and crisp dill pickles, gluten-free crust included! Pair the tongue-in-cheek Girl Dinner with an icy cocktail to send off summer and skip weeknight kitchen duty.

🧸 A staple for sweet back-to-school motivation

Every parent in West Knoxville seems to have a story about this place. Smart Toys and Books has been on Kingston Pike for more than 25 years. The shelves lean educational without being preachy, mixing science kits, non-toxic toys, and fresh backpack reads alongside a full indoor playground, crawl tunnels, and an art studio.

If you need a quick back-to-school bribe to keep the peace, their latest stock of NeeDoh and fresh Jellycat plushies just landed. You can also catch open play runs throughout the week, drop in for Thursday storytime, or host a private, zero-cleanup birthday party. Reservations are recommended, and socks are required for play.

Gizmo is a gentle 12-year-old, 8-pound Pomeranian

With his tiny frame and signature tongue-out grin, this little senior brings quiet warmth to any room. He is house-trained, neutered, vaccinated, and happiest resting nearby or enjoying soft belly rubs.

Gizmo requires daily thyroid medication and a low-key environment without children under 8; he gets along fine with easygoing, quiet dogs. Adoption fee: $100.

To learn more about this handsome boy,

🐶 Foam Party Fridays | The Bark | 08/14 | More 
Playful, bubbly dog park foam party with drinks and canine social energy.

🎪 Knoxville Family Experience: All Play Live | Kern's Bakery | 08/15 | More
Live interactive show geared toward the little ones. Ticketed.

🐦 2026 Hummingbird Festival: A Celebration of Wings | Ijams Nature Center | 08/15 | More
Bird banding, guided walks, and hundreds of hummingbirds up close.

🎤 Taylor Made: A Tribute to Taylor Swift | Bijou Theatre | 08/15 | More 
Dance-focused performance: chart-topping anthems and stadium-style production.

📜 East Tennessee History Fair | East Tennessee History Center | 08/15 | More
Living history, crafts, kids' activities, and film screenings all day. Free.

🎬 Summer Movie Magic: The Parent Trap | Tennessee Theatre | 08/16 | More
Classic family comedy on the big screen under the historic marquee.

⚾ 2nd Annual Fourth & Gill Smokies Game | Covenant Health Park | 08/16 | More
Neighborhood group seating, family energy, minor-league baseball on the river.

🐦 Communion – A Projected Hummingbird Experience | Ijams Nature Center | 08/13-08/14 | More
Immersive after-dark projection installation set inside the woods.

⚽ Ted Lasso Trivia | Hi-Wire Brewing (Barber St) | 08/14 | More
Believe. Compete. Bring your Diamond Dogs. Free.

🎶 Soundscapes at the KMA | Knoxville Museum of Art | 08/14 | More 
Pianist Brian Clay hosts an elegant night of moody dance-party grooves.

💉 Knoxville Tattoo Convention | World's Fair Exhibition Hall | 08/14–08/16 | More Three days of artists, vendors, and live ink. Ticketed.

🎬 Summer Movie Magic: Legally Blonde | Tennessee Theatre | 08/16 | More 
Fun late-afternoon film screening inside a stunning historic venue.

🏖️ Redneck Riviera Party | Crafty Brewery Emory Place | 08/16 | More
Beach chairs, drink specials, and Sunday afternoon shenanigans.

🍷 KBX Festival | Bridgewater Place | 08/21–08/23 | More 
Sensual Latin dance rhythms, workshops, and social dancing late into the night.

A huge thank-you to all the teachers heading back to school. You deserve the laughs ahead more than anyone! ❤️

Thanks for reading Our Newsletter! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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