For some, coffee is coffee. “Coffee is coffee” people are the ones who are no fuss and no frills when it comes to what’s in their cup. Then there’s the “Coffee is coffee? Wrong! Coffee is not coffee unless it’s fair trade, ethically sourced, organic …” people.
Either way, Knoxville’s growing coffee scene is moving to please the novice and the aficionado alike.
Several long-standing coffee shops, including Old City Java and The Golden Roast, have been serving Knoxville citizens for years, but another Knoxville coffee go-to, K Brew, has only been a part of the scene since late 2013. Since K Brew’s opening, Knoxville has seen new shops such as Blue Mason and SPERO Coffee open as well. But recently, it has almost been a challenge to keep up with all of the changes.
Pierce LaMacchia, co-owner of K Brew, speculated as to why there seem to be so many changes, attributing the surge in part to the efforts of independent shops.
“I’ve seen a significant change in the past two years with people who have always had a Starbucks beverage, or a chain beverage, begin to really question what they’re drinking, where it’s coming from and who, ultimately, they’re supporting,” LaMacchia said. “And I think that’s the work of the wonderful independent coffee shops here in Knoxville.”
This change really got started in summer 2015 with the announcement that Three Bears Coffee would open a tasting room at the site of their new roasting facility on Sevier Avenue. Then in the fall, Remedy announced that they would be moving from their Jackson Avenue location and leaving that space up for lease; but it wouldn’t be long until Remedy unveiled their new space at 800 Tyson Street in December and a new coffee spot tenant would occupy 125 W. Jackson Avenue.
Somewhere in the midst of Remedy’s changes, a newcomer of sorts, Wild Love Bakehouse, opened its doors to the public. Wild Love had already established a presence in the community via its baked goods, which have been and continue to be served by the owners’ other business: Old City Java. The new space gave more room and opportunity for the bakery to grow, in addition to adding another option for caffeine seekers.
And as calendars turned to 2016, more changes took place on Tyson Street and Jackson Avenue — again.
Remedy’s new space was originally planned to be the sole site of Makers Donuts. Plans changed and as of Jan. 29, Makers opened their doors alongside already established Remedy. In addition to donuts, customers can also find the same Intelligentsia coffee that they can find at Remedy, but lattes, Americanos and other specialty drinks will only be available next door.
Amidst this change, true newcomer Awaken Coffee opened its doors at the old Remedy space on Jackson. As part of the Awaken City Church initiated by senior pastor Adam Lutts, the coffee shop provided a vehicle for the church’s vision of becoming a more integral part of the downtown community.
Awaken has only been open a few weeks, but Lutts says people have already seemed to adjust to the changes and become acquainted with the new shop.
“People know we’re the old Remedy space,” Lutts said. “But I think we’re already starting to define and make our own culture here where people are starting to understand who Awaken is.”
Lutts went on to speak on the larger coffee culture that is brewing in Knoxville.
“I think one of the reasons why we’re seeing the coffee culture boom in Knoxville is because Knoxville’s booming now,” Lutt said.
And with another coffee shop set to open in Knoxville this February, booming seems to be a good descriptor of all the changes.
Along with new locations opening, veteran coffee spots are expanding. K Brew will be opening a second location just behind the Bijou Theatre at 800 Market St. this month.
“We’ve always had too few seats for the number of people who’ve wanted to sit and drink coffee, so I think with the addition of these new shops people are going to find more areas to hang out and we’re very excited about that,” LaMacchia said. “It means better things for the full community.”
He explained that K Brew’s new location will cater to on-the-go customers, offering exclusively drip coffee and espresso beverages. Additionally, LaMacchia said the new location will offer even more food options — this after the success of their recent switch to a plant-driven menu.
“We’re interested in providing a healthy alternative to all the fast food that’s around Knoxville, and we want people to have an option to start their morning off strong, or start their project or afternoon off strong,” LaMacchia said.
Still, yet another new coffee option has been cruising the streets of Knoxville as of late. Andrew Mrozkowski’s brainchild, Pedal Java, allows him to serve all the coffee drinks people love from a cart attached to his bike.
And after only a few months in operation, Mrozkowski is pleased with the response he’s been getting and with his welcoming into the coffee scene of Knoxville.
“There’s a really great brotherhood of coffee purveyors in Knoxville that I’m really enjoying,” Mrozkowski said. “People who love coffee don’t just go to one shop … people who enjoy the conversations, enjoy the social aspect and enjoy the craft of it … they can go to Remedy or Awaken and have a great drink at night, and then the next morning have a great drink on the coffee bike.”
So what’s next – are even more changes coming in the future? Awaken’s Adam Lutts thinks so.
“We’re probably just at the edge of what Knoxville will look like 10 years from now concerning coffee,” Lutts said. “This is still the beginning phases of what’s to come.”
The Blue Mason
