From South Knoxville to Market Square, Knoxville markets offer some of the best opportunities to shop for one-of-a-kind art, Tennessee-themed keepsakes, delicious baked goods, and even fresh produce, all sourced from local artists, makers, and growers.
Markets invite guests to wander from table to table, perusing a variety that can range from hand-sewn dog collars and vintage statement clothing pieces to all-natural soap and local honey.
Often, markets are the prime opportunity for local makers to connect with customers and showcase their creations. Luckily for vendors and market enthusiasts alike, the market scene in Knoxville continues to grow.
“The talent and skills we have in our maker community are unmatched. We have hundreds of makers in town that may not be on the path to having their own brick and mortar, and that’s where markets come in,” said Amy Roskop, director of Knoxville’s Old City Market.
Origins of the Knoxville’s Old City Market
The Old City Market began in 2018 when the Old City Association recognized the need. The existing markets, like the popular Market Square Farmers Market, were receiving more applications for vendors than they could accommodate.
“The goal was to create a crafters’ space that allowed vendors to showcase their work and drove traffic to our businesses in the Old City,” Roskop said.
Old Sevier Sunday Market in South Knoxville
Not long after, another market began across the river with a similar goal to celebrate their community and increase the number of visitors exploring the neighborhood. The Old Sevier Sunday Market started small with just a handful of vendors and has grown into a thriving market and a popular launching point for artisans new to the market scene.
“The idea to have a maker’s market in the area started with several businesses in the neighborhood hosting three to four vendors,” said Stephanie Carlson, president of the Old Sevier Merchant Group. “Now we have at least 30 to 35 vendors each month, with at least 100 people applying!”
But local markets are about much more than commerce. They’re really about community. Market-goers are bound to find something nice to purchase, but the heart of the experience is supporting local small businesses and absorbing the positive energy of people coming together.
“We see people gathering with close friends, choosing the market as a meet-up spot before grabbing a bite downtown,” said Roskop. “We see local neighbors coming down and enjoying the community right in front of their doorstep. We see out-of-town visitors who stumbled upon our market thanks to organizations like Downtown Knoxville Alliance and Visit Knoxville. People are creating memories.”
Carlson wagers that a large part of the appeal is simply the human interaction. “I think that’s one of the things that everybody is kind of missing nowadays. We forget to talk to each other and not talk through our phones. So, [the Old Sevier Sunday Market] is just kind of a back-to-your-roots type market.”
Knoxville markets let makers find customers
While established makers certainly have a place in the local market scene, it’s also an important opportunity for new business owners to gain a customer base. At the Old City Market, Dogwood Arts hosts an emerging maker tent specifically dedicated to showcasing new creators.
Across the bridge, Stephanie attributes some of the success of the Old Sevier Sunday Market to their acceptance with new vendors. “We’re kind of like a stepping stone market,” said Carlson. “They can start here and grow their business. Knoxville is such a great hub for entrepreneurship, and it means a lot to the entire city to shop local.”
No matter which market you wander through, the point is to get out, discover the city, and support local businesses.
“Old Sevier is growing really quickly, and I feel like a lot of people still haven’t been over here,” said Carlson. “Having a market on a Sunday is a way for people to explore. There’s tons of stuff to do; you could make a whole family day on a Sunday in this neighborhood.”
“We have such a strong, wide variety of vendors in our maker city,” said Roskop. “These makers work tirelessly to produce a product, work long hours to create an inviting space for customers to shop, and, at the end of the day, get to share with the community what makes them shine. When people come through and browse, it impacts everyone in so many ways. Having our market in the Old City introduces people to a new part of town they’ve never been to, which benefits our small businesses.”
The Old City Market takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month, April through December, on the 100 block of Jackson Avenue. They also have special markets planned throughout the year: Spring Fest on May 23, Rhinestone Fest on June 8, Fall Fest on Oct. 24, a Small Business Saturday Market, and the Holiday Market.
To learn more and stay up-to-date, visit oldcityknoxville.org/market or follow them on Instagram, @oldcitymarketknox.
The Old Sevier Sunday Market takes place the last or second-to-last Sunday of each month at Hi-Wire Brewing or SouthSide Garage. You can find the date and location for each month’s market on their Instagram, @oldsevierdistrict.
Looking for more? These are just two of the great market opportunities in the Knoxville area. Others include The Great Outdoor Market, Nourish Farmers Market, Knox Pride Market, Hey Bear, and TN Craft: Emerging Maker Market. Visit TheMakerCity.org/markets to explore more market opportunities as they arise!
The Maker City is the greater Knoxville-area community of makers, artists, creatives, and small-scale manufacturers and supporting entities. Led by the Mayor’s Maker Council, we facilitate collaborative partnerships, programming, and opportunities in an effort to create a sustainable creative community. For more info, visit us at http://themakercity.org/.
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