Monday, July 7, 2008

Ghost of the S & W

The S & W Cafeteria on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville has been gone since 1981, when people and businesses abandoned downtown in favor of suburban malls. From its opening in 1927 up through its heyday in the 50s and 60s, the S&W was a popular fixture of the downtown business district, the place to see and be seen. After it closed, the inside was stripped, but the Art Deco shell remained. Here you see the remnants of the mastic on the front window that held the S&W's Art Deco logo.
But wait! The S&W building has had a reversal of fortune in the 21st century, saved by preservationists and a partnership between the city and private developers. Tomorrow I'll show you the beginning of the resurrection of the S&W.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hip hip haray! Don't you just love it when someone takes time and money to save an old one! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I have had a crazy weekend. I really apreciate you support and readership of my place.

Bob Crowe said...

Oh, how the same pattern has been repeated in downtown STL. I happened to walk by the dear old Frisco Cafeteria today, empty for years, with the gold lettering still in the front window. So good that your building is being rehabbed.

USelaine said...

Goodie! I look forward to, uh, looking forward!

Petrea Burchard said...

I love this and its companion.