The Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association held its annual meeting Wednesday, Nov. 5, to discuss issues pertaining to vendors on Cumberland Avenue. With more than 20 people in attendance, members discussed topics ranging from issues with homelessness to continued frustration with UT administration over Dining Dollar usage.
Debbie Billings, owner of Graphic Creations and Secretary of CAMA, made clear the association’s intention to send their concerns regarding Dining Dollars to their representatives within the Tennessee State Legislature.
Studio X shooting:
Kim Payes, representing Studio X, addressed concerns surrounding a shooting at her club that left one man dead earlier this summer. While Payes stressed that the event was a “totally isolated incident,” she also expressed her desire to dissociate Studio X from the violent occurrence.
“I do not want to be associated with every bad, black element that comes onto Cumberland Avenue,” Payes said. “(The shooter) had nothing to do with us, and they have nothing to do with Studio X.”
Payes largely attributed the crime around Cumberland Avenue and in the larger Knoxville area to an influx of Detroit natives rather than the fault of Studio X itself.
Designated Drivers for Students:
Laura Bryant, assistant director at the Center for Health Education and Wellness, expressed the university’s desire to create a designated driving program for students around campus. While Bryant refused to comment until more definitive information could be given, she promised to alert The Daily Beacon to any future developments pertaining to the designated driver initiative.
Dining Dollar Dissatisfaction:
CAMA members expressed their frustration over the opening of Panda Express and Raising Cane’s on the corner of 17th Street and Cumberland Avenue. Citing further dissatisfaction with the rumored future opening of a “Tex-Mex” restaurant within the Aramark owned building, Jonah Riggs, the general manager of The Copper Cellar, echoed his fellow vendors’ concerns with the university.
“For a huge, government run institution to directly compete with private enterprise, literally feet away from each other, is troublesome,” Riggs said.
Issues with the homeless:
Citing recent incidents along Cumberland Avenue, several local vendors expressed their dissatisfaction with students giving money and food to the homeless in the area.
“They’re getting food and money and liquor,” said Helen Morton, owner of University Liquors, of student contributions to the homeless, noting that such generosity often negatively affects the recipients.
“(The homeless) are going to stay right here and they’re not going to get help,” Morton said. “If they end up down here they will not end up back at KARM (Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries).”
