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Knoxville Mom and Pop
The words Knoxville Mom and Pop give me a warm and fuzzy feeling every time I hear or experience them. They're like baseball and apple pie; they're fireworks on the 4th of July; they are the American Dream personified.
Mom and Pop need every break they can get -- including people talking, reading, and thinking more about them, and of course, people patronizing their businesses. That's the main reason for this site, and especially for this page. Thanks for supporting Mom and Pop in Knoxville. Enjoy!
Knoxville Mom and Pop SpotlightYoung Chefs Academy
This is another great Knoxville mom and pop article that incorporates a love for children into a thriving business. Don't miss this story about the three sisters who own and run Knoxville's Young Chefs Academy Read the full article about the Young Chefs Academy here. Pratt's Country Store
Pratt's Country Store is a thriving mom and pop grocery in North-Knoxville's Fountain City. Our review mentions a few of the goodies that you can find there during this peak growing season, and some of the staples, too. Though we no longer live in North Knoxville, we still go out of our way to shop at Pratt's. The locally-grown groceries, plants and hospitality are so good, we just love to go back! Read the full article on Pratt's Country Store here. Sandbox Threads
This is a Knoxville Mom and Pop story with a twist...it's more like a 'father and son' business, really.Sandbox Threads is a baby clothes e-business started by an entrepreneurial stay at home dad who saw an opportunity and grabbed it. I think you'll like this
stay at home dad - mom & pop business story!
The Golden RoastSonja F. Shared her favorite Knoxville Mom and Pop business with us recently: The Golden Roast."This Mom and Pop coffee buisness has been next to UT campus for over 10 years. (Long before the Starbucks came to town). Alan Ziegel, the owner, roasts his own beans. The majority of the coffee is organic, fair-trade, and delicious!" 825 Melrose Pl. If you haven't been before, we concur with Sonja that the coffee at the Golden Roast is excellent. This Mom and Pop is at the corner of Cumberland and 17th, and well-worth a stop.
The Spiceorium
The Spiceorium is a new mom and pop store in South Knoxville at 5901 Chapman Highway. They have fresh spices, herbs, tea and hot sauces, plus many of the acoutrements that go along with those groceries. Folks in downtown and Seymour take note: you now have a great mom and pop business where you can get more of the good spices and herbs that you want, and it's only a few miles away from you, instead of having to go all the way to West Knoxville! Read the full Mom and Pop story about the Spiceorium here. What is your favorite Mom & Pop business, memory or experience? Perhaps you have a beloved proprietor who knows everyone by name and welcomes you like family to their establishment? I believe that supporting Mom & Pop helps us keep our unique Southern hospitality, charm and flavor - which is one great way to differentiate ourselves from other cities that are vying for the same corporate factories, attractions, tourists, etc. So tell our community which family-owned businesses in Knoxville you love, and what you love about them - you just might send your favorite M-n-P a little extra green! What's Your Favorite Knoxville Mom and Pop?Do you have a great Knoxville Mom & Pop story? Share it! What Other Visitors Have SharedClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Smoky Mountain Deli @ the Chevron
Hey Annie, the coolest threads in Fountain City
Wonderful Kid's Resale Boutique in Fountain City
Not rated yet
Greatest Children's Consignment Shop in Knoxville
Not rated yet
Fabtron: Locally-Made Saddles and Horse Tack
Not rated yet LuLu's Tea Room
The following Knoxville Mom and Pop story was submitted by Sheila McMahan.What’s for lunch? How about a crispy, crusted spinach quiche, side salad, fruit bread and a creamy cup of corn chowder with some sweet Raspberry tea to sip on, and a delightful strawberry cheesecake for dessert? That’s what I had one day last week, at Lulu’s Tea Room. You haven’t heard of Lulu’s? It’s a new “Mom and Pop” restaurant that opened in January of 2006. To get there, head down Clinton Highway to Powell. Just past the traffic light at Advance Auto and Walgreen’s, start slowing down. Hang a left onto W. Beaver Creek. That antique, white, pretty Victorian house (circa late 1800’s) on the right corner is your destination.
I found Lulu’s because many friends, at different times, said the same thing to me: “You’ve got to go to Lulu’s!” I was interested, but hadn't had the opportunity to visit. Then, while having lunch with some other home school moms, one suggested – strongly – that our next Home School Mom and Kid’s Monday Lunch date should be at Lulu’s. The other moms and I quickly agreed: Lunch at Lulu’s. Next Monday.
Lulu’s was originally the home place of the Carpenter family. You can see photos of them -- and a vintage shot of the house -- as you browse the Tea Room. Since opening as Lulu’s, two of the Carpenter ladies have dined again and again in the old home place. I’m sure it’s a bit more relaxing for them to eat there now, as they don’t have to prepare the food! Though the owner’s name is Deana Hurd, you can claim familiarity with this Mom and Pop owner and call her by her nickname, Lulu. Her mom says that Deana, as a child, resembled the dark-haired cartoon character Little LuLu. Thus, the name of the restaurant, and the vintage clipping of Little LuLu on the entrance wall. Deana’s mom, Sharon, has owned her own Knoxville Mom and Pop business, the Home Sweet Home restaurant, for the past 12 years in Kingsport. Deana shares her mom’s love of cooking and entertaining, so after spending years in the business world, she decided to follow in her mom‘s footsteps and open her own Mom and Pop establishment. Her desire was to provide a place for friends to meet and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the Powell area. With her mom’s help, encouragement and recipes, Deana opened LuLu‘s. I am glad she did!
We were promptly seated when our group of moms and home school kids arrived as planned on Monday at 12:30. (We had called ahead on Friday for reservations.) After we stopped chatting long enough to look over the menu and place our orders, we sat in hopeful anticipation – and we weren’t disappointed! I choose the Spinach Quiche, Corn Chowder, salad and fruit bread. The chowder is what it should be: not quite soup but not stew either, with a slightly sweet broth, manageable chunks of potato and just enough corn. I am particular about the crust on quiche. This crust was not soggy, but crisp and flakey with a buttery flavor. The filling was dense with fresh spinach. The other ladies at my table indulged in the Pecan Chicken croissants, salad and soup. I didn’t see anything left when they finished, so it must have been good! Oh -- I almost forgot. Each table is served mini chocolate-chocolate chip muffins as an appetizer – just enough to wet your appetite. Lulu came by to welcome us and to make sure we were being well taken care of. That’s what you get with a Knoxville Mom and Pop establishment: the owner’s personal attention to detail. It's what sets them apart from the chains. Lulu’s has a theme for each room. There is the Butterfly Room (where we dined), the Elvis room, the Old Home Place room and the Elegant Room. (Okay. That may not be what Lulu calls each room, but whichever room you are in, the food comes from the same kitchen!) The servers were friendly, the food “quite delightful” and, of course, being with friends in a quaint atmosphere was almost good enough to suffice for dessert. Almost is the important word in that sentence. Of course we had dessert! Cheesecake and Fudge Pie and Chocolate Cake, oh my! I shared strawberry cheesecake with my son and my daughter split a Fudge Pie (brownie topped with fudge icing, two scoops of vanilla ice cream and a side of whipped cream with a strawberry on top!) with her aunt. We all left with full tummies and warm feelings. Deana opens LuLu’s daily (Monday thru Friday, 11:00 -2:30) for lunch. Give her a call at 947-LuLu (947-5858) to book your after-hours special events such as showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties and such. (You must have 15 people to book these.) The price range is within reason, with the plate lunch at $7.95, and High Tea slightly more. It’s also worth mentioning that the restaurant’s Knox County Health Inspection score was 92 -- an excellent score, especially for a new business.
Even if you’ve never left Knoxville to dine in Powell, Lulu’s is a fine Knoxville Mom and Pop restaurant that is well worth your maiden trip. The locals will welcome you, the portion size is just right, and everything is delicious.While you’re there, don’t forget to look at the jewelry and other trinkets Lulu’s offers for sale. There is also a guest book and a place for you to leave your calling (business) card.
Lulu’s Tea Room: “It’s what’s for lunch!”
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