Politics and chargrilled burgers don’t usually come up in the same conversation.
But from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will host a public luncheon at Gus’s Good Times Deli, allowing interested community members a chance to converse and voice concerns with Burchett and other elected officials.
Burchett said a public lunch at Gus’s is part of a larger initiative by Knox County to minimize government control over local business, giving back a larger voice to its merchants and citizens.
Friday’s lunch is one of many public lunches held by Burchett, but is the first to be hosted within walking distance of the UT campus.
“We started doing ‘cash mobs’, and now they really have an international presence,” said Burchett. “The locals just seem to drudge along, and don’t seem to get any support from their government, so this is just our attempt to support somebody local who works hard and maybe put a little more money in their cash register.”
Late night stops at the Melrose Place restaurant also bring back college memories for Burchett, who said he enjoys Gus’s for its food and ties to campus life at UT.
“When I was on campus, that was the place to go,” Burchett said. “I can’t remember driving by even when it was closed. All my buddies would have one, two or maybe more [drinks] on the Strip, and I was always driving them home, and they always wanted to stop at Gus’s.”
Aaron Hale, the current owner of Gus’s, also looks forward to Burchett’s informal visit as a public official.
“It’s pretty neat,” Hale said. “We’ve never had a mayor eat in here before.”
Hale agreed that Burchett’s presence at Gus’s can only help Knoxvillians feel more connected to their local government.
“I guess the public can kind of shoot the breeze with the mayor this way, or if there was something they wanted to ask about an issue, then it’s more accessible to people, instead of somebody who would have to email or call their office and set up a meeting,” Hale said.
Gus’s will run specials today in addition to their regular menu including deals on half-pound burgers, deli sandwiches and fountain drinks for all customers.
Participants are responsible for paying for their own meals and limited parking will available on Lake Avenue.
