Food + Beverage

The Metal Guys

TMG Pits Handcrafted Smokers Put Knoxville on the World-Wide Barbecue Map Article by Patricia Storm Broyles | Photography by Shawn Poynter and TMG Pits Brandon Lawson and Hayes Walton founded TMG Pits (“The Metal Guys”) in 2020 as a side business that took off like wildfire after posting several custom-crafted smokers online. “Our second or third TikTok video had 4 million views overnight, and we decided to just throw down and start this business,” Brandon Lawson says. “We went international...

Home + Design

Gather & Gourd: In Her Martha Era

Elevating Knoxville's Entryways, One Season and Porch at a Time Article by Chelsea Babin | Photography by Chelsea Babin Photography, Hillary Teasdale For Knoxville native and founder of Gather & Gourd, Hillary Teasdale, the drive to create has been a lifelong passion. What began as a childhood love of designing, drawing and crafting has evolved into a growing local business that transforms ordinary entryways into thoughtfully styled seasonal spaces. Teasdale’s path to entrepreneurship was not...

Food + Beverage

Yoshi Visits the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Article by Knoxville City Lifestyle Staff | Photography by The Mayfield Group Public Relations In the fall of 1988, a young international student from Japan, Yoshitoshi “Yoshi” Momoki, came to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and for the first time in his life, he felt confident in himself and accepted. Momoki graduated in 1993 with a degree in broadcasting and now serves as UT’s unofficial ambassador to Japan and past president of UT’s Tokyo Alumni Chapter. After a successful career as...

Food + Beverage

Ice Cream Social at the Tennessean Hotel

Article by Amy Campbell | Photography by Amy Campbell and The Tennessean On Sept. 1, The Tennessean Hotel welcomed Lokelani Alabanza, author of “Ice Cream Queen: Flavors from Black America’s Past, Present & Future” and founder of Nashville’s famed ice cream brand Saturated Ice Cream, for an ice cream social happy hour event at the Curio at Maker Exchange. During the special author event, guests enjoyed a flight of flavors crafted by Alabanza, along with paired cocktails, while learning more...

Finance + Legal Services

A Bountiful Legacy

Article and Photography by Bill Waltman, CFP®, CPA What does it mean to create an enduring legacy? When we think of a legacy, we often think in terms of financial wealth. How much will we pass on to the next generation or to worthwhile charities? And while these are certainly noble things, they do not fully encompass the notion of legacy.  My personal reflections on legacy are centered around the passing on the values you hold dear, and in my family those conversations are often held over a...

Arts + Culture

Knoxville Shoebox Gems: Rare Views of Bearden

Article by Paul James and Jack Neely | Photography by Alec Riedl, Knoxville Postcard Collection/KHP, Esther Sitver, John Kelley, Knoxville History Project At the nonprofit Knoxville History Project, we are always on the lookout for old images to expand our Knoxville Shoebox digital collection, which enhances our programs and publications. If you have interesting photographs, postcards, brochures or ephemera from any era, we’d love to hear from you so we can preserve the visual history of...

Arts + Culture

Two Bikes Honky Tonk Soirée

Article and Photography by Leslie Wylie Bateman, Inside of Knoxville Two Bikes took over The Mill & Mine on August 18 for its Honky Tonk Soirée fundraiser, with dancing, live music from Russell Walker & The House Band and a three-headed bike horse roaming the premises.  Located in the Old City at 118 S. Central Street, this friendly bike shop gives away a bike for each one sold. All proceeds from the Soirée benefited The Bike School, Two Bikes’ youth workforce development program, which gives...

Food + Beverage

Nama Izakaya

Asian Dining Concepts Beyond Sushi: Nama’s Next Twenty-Five Years Article by Knoxville City Lifestyle Staff | Photography by Shawn Poynter Nama Sushi Bar has reigned as the premier Knoxville sushi location for first-timers and connoisseurs alike for almost a quarter of a century. Consistently voted number one for sushi in Knoxville, it’s grown into three brands with five locations. Knoxville City Lifestyle was curious where Knoxville’s sushi pioneer is headed next. Q. What is Nama ’ s...

Home + Design

Timeless Style Starts Within

When Your Home Tells Your Story, It’s Timeless Article by Rachael Sheridan | Photography by Taylor Martin Photo, Beall + Thomas Photography and Rachael Sheridan As an interior designer, a question I frequently get asked is, “What are the current trends or styles in home design today?” After 16 years creating beautiful spaces, the answer is: good design is timeless. Think of the Biltmore. It’s far from using the latest trends, but the rooms within are all beautiful and stylish even today. The...

Beauty

The Art of Effortless Beauty

How Knoxville’s Susan Bourdeau Bridges Hollywood Glamour and Everyday Skincare Article by Chelsea Babin | Photography by Susan Bourdeau and Shawn Poynter In the fast-paced worlds of television, high fashion and celebrity styling, a makeup artist's reputation builds entirely on trust, precision and longevity. For over two decades, Knoxville-based professional makeup artist and stylist Susan Bourdeau has been behind some of the most recognizable faces and networks. Yet, while her career...