Sweetwater's retail district attracting a crowd

2/16/2012

Debbie Oden opened The Paris Apartment on Main Street in Sweetwater last summer in a 10,000-square-foot building that previously housed a gallery.

"We're really building on other's success," Oden added, pointing to neighboring businesses like Bobby Todd Antiques and The Robin's Nest. "Show me where you can find an interesting building where you can create this magic."

The Paris Apartment was among five businesses that opened last year in Sweetwater, located about 40 miles south of Knoxville off Interstate 75. The town's estimated population is just shy of 6,000 residents.

"In a town our size, that's pretty significant. I hate to say we're booming, but we're thrilled. There's just been a lot of good things to happen," City Recorder Jessica Morgan said.

Walmart is scheduled to break ground soon on a supercenter off Highway 11 in the south end of the city, with another 80 acres available for development.

And a recently approved referendum allowing package liquor stores in Sweetwater already has led to three new liquor stores.

The city also saw the launch of a merchants and property owner association as well as a new visitor's guide. With retail growth continuing, the town added a commercial historic zoning district to protect its downtown.

Morgan said the city has seen "a renewed sense of pride" but gave credit to retailers who took the lead in investing their own money to upgrade and beautify the buildings they're in.

"They did a lot on their own. We're blessed to have businesses that care about Sweetwater," Morgan said.

Brenda Bryan, who opened The Lily Pad Boutique in Sweetwater 34 years ago, agreed that it has taken a lot of time and resources from individual retailers to build up downtown.

"What looks like an overnight success has actually taken years to realize," Bryan said. "Everybody struggled in the beginning to build their reputation and establish themselves with quality merchandise and customer service."

As old buildings were refurbished, the town that traces its beginnings to the 1850s followed in its support with landscaping and banners. But it's the uniqueness of the businesses that draws people to Sweetwater from all over East Tennessee and beyond, Morgan said.

Customers come as far as Nashville and Atlanta to shop at The Lily Pad, she said. And the crowds at The Paris Apartment have been "off the charts."

"The amount of people who come to shop there is unbelievable," Morgan said of Debbie Oden's business.

Said Oden, "We're trying to create a destination place, People come for the experience."

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel