Shopping in Sevierville

What is going on in Sevierville during Labor Day weekend 2017

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Someone used search terms  ” what to do in Sevierville on Labor Day weekend” on my website so I decided to list a few things that I know are going on this weekend. Blog traffic picks up on holidays so here are some suggestions for our visitors this weekend. Most activities are in Sevierville, but a couple are nearby. I used some screenshots to get this blog completed quickly. Here are some local Labor Day activities. 


Check out the Sevierville Commons Farmers Market tomorrow. There will be great vendors with many gift ideas and fresh produce. I have been doing some Christmas shopping there already. 


For the first time, our fair will last nine days and two weekends. This is a wonderful small town fair with food and fun for the whole family. The best food from the booth by Sevierville First United Methodist Church. Step right up! 

Do you like Jeeps? Then this may be for you! 


Something new is opening in Gatlinburg and it looks like fun. 


Labor Day weekend means BBQ. Find some at Bass Pro Shops. 


Bring your lawn chair and snacks to the Sevierville downtown gazebo for a free movie. I love the 80s! 


This may be the greatest thing in town this weekend. Go to the Dollywood website for tickets and more information. 


Go just up the road to enjoy this equestrian event. 


I think that my friend Tad Wynn may attend this event. It is just up Chapman Highway from downtown Sevierville. 


Art is downtown Sevierville. Check out several artist gallerys. This is one of my favorites! 


Find a bargain at Bloomingtales Boutique at 202 Parkway in Sevierville. Proceeds go to to Pets Without Parents, a local no-kill animal shelter. 

Also, find more treasures at Treasures From the Heart thrift store at 230 Court Avenue, Sevierville. 


We have one of the best boutiques in Tennessee. Congratulations to Loralei’s! Find it easily at 1235 Dolly Parton Parkway, Suite 7, Sevierville, Tennessee. 


We also have the best doughnuts in East Tennessee. Go to Courthouse Donuts in downtown Sevierville, across from the courthouse. 

Those are some fun things going on this Labor Day weekend if you get out and about in Sevierville. 

Enjoy the weekend! 

Farmers Market and Birthday Cake: August 11, 2017

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Lots going on so I am just now getting to post about the downtown Sevierville Farmers Market last Friday. As usual, I parked in the lot across from Sevier County Bank because it is so pretty strolling down this street. 


As I approached the courthouse, a funeral procession proceeded slowly down the street. The young man pictured above stopped, removed his hat, and placed it on his car until the procession had passed down the street.         Respect. 


I will only have one more Friday to visit the market due to work hours. It has been a great market season. 


My first stop was the UT Extension office. The recipe and sample was so good that I made it yesterday at home. So good, but go easy on the jalapeños! 


What a wonderful service the UT Extension office offers to the community. Great recipe!


This jewelry always stops me in my tracks. Beautiful, unique, and finely crafted. The vendor is quite friendly so stop for a chat. 


I always stop to look at this booth and have bought several gifts here. Remember that the vendor is an ice skating choreographer; in fact, he has toured with some very world renowned skaters. He recently went rapellling at a waterfall so that was an interesting chat. Stop by!


This is a great booth. I have bought some ‘ bath bombs ‘ beacause they are an easy way to take magnesium. Always friendly. Ask her about the big gust of wind and her tent last month. 


Local honey is good for your health. They sell it in various forms, plus bee pollen that you can add to smoothies or yogurt. 


Going to have some new Iris plants next spring! 


If you look at these bagels more than 10 seconds then you will end up buying one. 


Henderson’s always has a crowd with their good produce. They have been selling in Sevierville for decades. 

On the way out, I stopped at Mom’s Vintage Kitchen to order a birthday cake for my father. We had a celebration the next day for his 85th birthday so it required something special. On a whim, I ordered a strawberry cake with buttercream frosting.  Give her 24 hours notice for cakes because she makes a lot of them and other pastries. After reading this menu board, I wished that I had more time to have lunch there; but alas, it was time to go. I made arrangements to pick up the cake the next morning. 


I picked up the strawberry cake by 10:30 the next morning. 


I spied another pick up order on the counter and the cupcakes looked decadent. 


Mom’s makes cute children’s cakes. 


But my dad’s cake was a masterpiece! We used to eat lunch years ago at Eva’s in Bearden, often ordering the strawberry cake. We decided that this one may be even better than Eva’s—-if that is even possible. You must try it! The cake was rather tall and dense because it felt like it weighed about 8 pounds. It could easily have served 15 people. 


Everyone agreed that it was wonderful. The best birthday cake that I think I have ever had. Just amazing. 


It was one of my last Fridays to visit the downtown Sevierville farmer’s market, one of the best ways to get out and about in Sevierville. 

Save a bagel for me! 

Warm August Day at the Sevierville Farmers Market: August 4, 2017

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Very warm temps didn’t keep shoppers away from the Sevierville Farmers Market. There were good things to discover and buy for home. Follow along and see these things, plus learn about some cool vendors who make their wares available each Friday. 


Downtown flowers are a delight for the senses. 


I stopped by Courthouse Donuts first for coffee and to work on photos and messages. New art is displayed in the windows. I like the reflection of the courthouse in the window as well. 


Things were in full swing at the market when I finally arrived. 


When I saw these hydrangeas, I knew that I needed to have some too. 


Arthur Young is originally from California, then, later, south Florida. He has lived here in Sevierville for over 12 years. I bought some Indian nickel earrings from him last year. The jewelry is so unique. 

Go to Arthur Young’s website to learn more about the artist. Go to   ArthurYoungJewelry.com.  

This vendor from Paris and Gigi works alone or with his mother when she is in town. He is quite interesting because he is a retired figure skater, now a coach in West Knoxville at an ice-arium in Farragut. He has toured Europe with many world renowned skaters. Talk to him some time to see who he knows in the skating world. He told me last week and I wanted to hear more. Fascinating! 


Check out the products by Paris and Gigi. I have already bought Christmas presents for friends from this vendor and know that they will love them! Not telling, though 


I saw all kinds of people walking around with hydrangeas from Sevier Blumen. Their blooms and prices can’t be beat. They also work the Knoxville Farmers Market on Market Square. I see them on Wednesdays there. 


Not Your Granny’s Homemade Soap has many products that I like. The bath bombs are a good way to take magnesiumt too! There are significant health qualities to magnesium so check out this vendor and the bath bombs. They smell so good! 

The hotdog lemonade vendor was not at the market today so several others had drinks for sale. Good American business. 



Young market shoppers! 


If you want a unique gift, go no further than our own farmers market for a T-shirt Memory quilt. 


Here is an example. If you know someone with a lot of old T-shirts to get rid of, but they can’t let them go, (like me?) then consider this vendor for a very personalized gift. T-shirt quilts are a wonderful memory that lasts. 


She also sells jams and jellies! 


Peppermint wards off spiders and insects. I asked the vendor if they had peppermint plants a few weeks ago. The next week, they had them at the market, but my friend Karen bought the plant and I missed it. 


Today, there was a peppermint plant for me! It smelled so good.  Just ask the vendors if you don’t see something that you want or need, because they can often get it. 


See the small cantaloupe in the center? It is a special, small version so I bought that too; however, I forgot what it is called. Will cut it tomorrow and let you know. It is supposed to be sweet. 


If you linger at this booth then you find some delightful things. So many! 


I bought a bagel to go. You can freeze them too. Divine! 


This is a SCHS grad with young shoppers at the market. They were looking at the wonderful animal sculptures—one of my favorite things at the market. How fun to catch up with family news. Hola, Jeremy! 


It was time to take my hydrangeas and go home. See you out and about in Sevierville at the farmers market next week! 

Sevierville 7 Day Planner: November 12 – 19, 2016

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Things start getting busier in Sevierville next week, plus more things approaching the holidays. Here are some fun happenings coming up in Sevierville to mark on your calendar. I am going to use screen shots because the information is excellent.

First, this just popped up on my Facebook feed. Everyone loves the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge. While not in Sevierville, it is only minutes away with great food, shopping, and photo opportunities. My favorite store is Sassafras so this looks like a ‘must do’ on Saturday. Red Velvet Fudge? Oh my…

 

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We are (finally) getting a new Dairy Queen across the street from Sevier County High School. Will you be in line early next Tuesday morning? Worth it!

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There is a cooking demo at KaTom next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. presented by the Executive Chef from Babalu Tapas and Tacos in downtown Knoxville. It is a fun place to eat so I can’t miss this class. Call KaTom at 865-225-1545 to RSVP.  Save me a seat near the counter!

Here is a link to the website. https://eatbabalu.com

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This event is more than a week away, but you need time to register and, perhaps, train for it. Get ready for the Thanksgiving Day 5K at Sevier County High School. The race this year, if I remember correctly, stays on the high school campus rather than out on the streets. The campus is quite large and will easily accommodate a 5K. You walk it or you can run it. Proceeds benefit Dr. Suzanne South’s science lab.

Go to the Foundation Facebook page and scroll down to learn more about the race and to see pictures of the science lab. The upgrades from previous fundraising have really made a difference so come and support the school.

https://www.facebook.com/SevierCountyHighSchoolFoundation/

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This is what it looks like when you open Eventbrite to register for the race. Run and be home by 9:30 a.m. to get ready for Thanksgiving dinner! Don’t worry about the buffet lunch after this race.

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(If you have an event that you want for me to share then send me an invitation or announcement via email or Facebook two weeks before the date. A month in advance would be even better.)

I see several fun events coming up at the end of the month and into early December so get ready to get out and about in Sevierville for the holidays!

 

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is now open for business.

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img_8146The new Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is open—and it was packed with customers all day. I had to park in the side parking lot to get in. People are excited to see “good stuff cheap.” There were a lot of good deals. This is what I saw.

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The store is located in the former Food Lion space on Main Street, in the lot behind Hardees.

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I lose umbrellas every year so this was a nice sight in the entrance.

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If you own a K-cup coffee machine then you may want to check this out.

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I like the Bertolli brand. It was well within the range of the expiration date. The date was good.

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I know some people who may like this game.

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I want to buy this and tape some sight words on them for practice.

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Lots of beautiful throws and other housewares.

According to the flyer in the newspaper, Ollie’s is a retailer for closeouts, salvage items, and ‘excessive inventory. ‘ There was a wide variety of goods to choose from. There was a huge crowd there this evening so this store should do very well here.

Hours are daily 9:00-9:00. Sundays 10:00-7:00.

I’ll post more pictures on the blog Facebook page for extra photos. Click this link to see more things at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1254469567899261/

Final Downtown Sevierville Farmers Market of the Year, October 2016

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With the first fall break ever, it was a free day to visit the last downtown Sevierville farmers market of the year. Sunny and 70 degrees made a nice day to end the market run for this year. First, I met Elaine, Janice, and Anita at Courthouse Donuts for coffee and a ‘catch up chat.’ Then we headed out to the market. Here is what we saw.

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Misty Benson transferred natural dye directly from plant to fabric. See the small, hammer- like tool used to lightly pound a fern leaf onto 100% cotton? Then use vinegar to ‘set’ the image so it won’t wash out.

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Guess what this design is from? A kudzu plant leaf.

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Also available were metalworking/blacksmithing gifts.

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Next artist, Andrea Wilson was pulling print etchings for this artist.

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Fun for kids at the downtown Sevierville Farmers Market!

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Artist, Kelly Sullivan, demonstrates pottery techniques.

Here are some of our farmers market vendors this year.

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Marvin Henderson, from Sevierville.

Jackie Diaz lives in Sevierville now.

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Mike lives in Sevier County.

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Patsy lives in Sevierville. If you want to order some animal figurines as a holiday gift or something then her email is fgsaints@gmail.com . I am emailing her some pictures for gifts.

My friends and I headed back to Courthouse Donuts for lunch. Get a window seat so you can watch the comings and goings downtown. One friend said that the chef salad was excellent.

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Another friend ordered the chicken salad sandwich.  It is fabulous!

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Afterward, we walked a block to Treasures From the Heart to shop.

We looked at dresses first. Lots of nice ones there now. This one caught our eye.

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The ‘show stopper’ dress is still here!

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Of course, I checked out all the glassware again.

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It was a nice walk to the car after a day with friends out and about in Sevierville. 

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See you downtown at the Holiday Market on December 1st and 2nd. Stay tuned for more details forthcoming!

 

 

Quite the Treasure: Treasures From the Heart store benefits Sevier County.

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My friend Elaine volunteers at the Treasures From the Heart store in downtown Sevierville, sponsored by SMARM (Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries). Two weeks ago, she asked us to come visit the store after our get-together at the downtown Farmer’s Market, followed lunch at Courthouse Donuts. If it is a store then we must go!

Treasures From the Heart is close to downtown. It is located on 230 Court Avenue, just a couple of blocks walk from downtown Sevierville.  So off we went to investigate further on foot.

Find their website at this link:   http://smarm.org/thrift-store/

Facebook page :

https://www.facebook.com/Treasures-From-The-Heart-130330763709367/

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There was a Ladies Night Out event last month to introduce people to this unique store. I was unable to attend; however, the pictures and comments on social media later showed that the event was a great success. I was curious. Now, I can see why it was so popular.

Whoever fashioned these store windows did a fabulous job! Very inviting. Makes me want to run in and look at all the dresses!

I walked into Treasures From the Heart and spent at least 30-45 minutes in there looking around. Here are some things that impressed me…

  1. 100% of the profits stay here in Sevier County and benefit our citizens. Elaine said that a large portion of the proceeds directly help children.
  2. The store is very clean and organized. Very pleasant.
  3. I felt like I was in a regular department store.
  4. Someone told me that the building is where Dolly Parton held her first performance. That is a huge reason to visit!
  5. I found quite a few things that I would consider treasures—some things that I have looked for in Knoxville thrift stores, but had never found. Not found until I looked at Treasures of the Heart store in Sevierville.
  6. The price is right. And you never know what you may find.

Here are some of my favorite things…

Special occasion glassware.

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Sports fan logo clothing. Go Vols!

Unfortunately, I didn’t see any Gator or Crimson Tide things in there on the day of our visit.     : )

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Bangles, bracelets and other jewelry. Nicely arranged!

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Is this silver? Martha Stewart would buy the whole box and use it for her table settings at her Maine house, not worrying if it matched exactly. I may have to go back and get this…

These dresses were exquisite. I was impressed with this area.

This dress is a showstopper! It had matching shoes too.

This may be a secret…

..but I heard that ladies come here to shop for a dress when they are going on a cruise. They can wear it a time or two, no one knows them so the dress would not have been seen before, plus they do not have to spend a great deal of money to look great. I loved this dress! Yes, I think that I need to go back soon…

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Golf irons and woods to hit the greens.

This jacket was nice! Name brand, better price.

Did I mention that Treasures of the Heart in downtown Sevierville applies 100% profits to our county?

A great selection of beautiful glassware! Almost every kind. I don’t have room in my cabinets, but I may try to make some space.

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Two perfectly good ‘rollators.’ (That is what I call them. My mom had one and I still have it. Very helpful when you need one. For a foot injury, etc. )

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A player piano anyone?

This is the only store that donates 100 % of proceeds to our citizens in Sevier County.

A tuxedo jacket!

Costumes. I love these.

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A snowsuit.

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Did Dolly once use these steps on her way to her performance in this building? I’ll bet she did. Walk in Dolly’s footsteps here.

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There was only one of these ‘horn of plenty ‘ holiday silicon baking forms. November is just around the corner.

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Belts cost a ridiculous amount of money, even at discount stores. Look what you can find at Treasures of the Heart in Sevierville.

This store donates 100% of the proceeds to Sevier County citizens. Did I mention that already?

I was impressed with this store. It was on par with the one that I love to frequent at Litchfield Beach. Even better. I plan on returning in a couple of weeks. Hope that glassware and the blue dress are still there…

There is so much more to find at Treasures of the  Heart store in Sevierville. Find these pictures and more at the Out and About in Sevierville Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1254469567899261/

You are sure to find a treasure or two here when you are out and about in Sevierville…