Oak Ridge Today

Some JCPenney stores closing, but not Oak Ridge

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The JCPenney in Oak Ridge is not among the 138 stores closing across the country, the company said Friday, March 17, 2017. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:30 p.m.

The JCPenney in Oak Ridge is not among the 138 stores closing across the country, the company said.

Three Tennessee stores are closing. One is at Knoxville Center, another is at Greeneville Commons, and the third is at County Market Place in Union City.

JCPenney said the closures are “part of a continuing effort to advance sustainable growth and long-term profitability.”

Parker Hardy, president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, said JCPenney is a “linchpin” store for the new Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

“JCPenney has been a very important part of our retail mix—particularly for apparel—ever since Mr. Penney participated in the original grand opening,” Hardy said Friday. “Penney always has been a draw for Oak Ridgers and for customers who live outside the city but inside our broader retail trade area…The fact that Penney is staying with Oak Ridge while closing stores in nearby cities says something strong about their confidence in Main Street, their confidence in our market, and their confidence in our business climate.” [Read more…]

New Sears Hometown Store opens in Oak Ridge

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A Sears Hometown Store has opened in Oak Ridge. The store is at 142 Fairbanks Road, near the corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Florida Avenue. Pictured above in December 2016 are owner Leslie Agron, left; employee Dave Hetes, second from left; Bill Heavilin, right; and Lore Heavilin, second from right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A Sears Hometown Store has opened in Oak Ridge. The store is at 142 Fairbanks Road, near the corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Florida Avenue. Pictured above in December 2016 are owner Leslie Agron, left; employee Dave Hetes, second from left; Bill Heavilin, right; and Lore Heavilin, second from right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A Sears Hometown Store has opened in Oak Ridge. The store is at 142 Fairbanks Road, near the corner of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Florida Avenue.

Sears Hometown Store will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18. During the grand opening, customers can enjoy an additional discount of 10 percent off almost everything in the store* plus special giveaways, including a $10 gift card for the first 20 customers on Friday, March 17.

Unlike most retail concepts, Sears Hometown Stores combine the value, selection, and services associated with larger retail stores, but they are owned and operated by a member of the local community, a press release said.

“As a native Oak Ridger, I am very happy to be bringing Sears back to Oak Ridge,” said Sears Hometown Store owner Leslie Agron. [Read more…]

Construction on Oak Ridge Airport could start late next year, early 2019

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Image via Billy Stair presentation at Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority General Aviation Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

Image via Billy Stair presentation at Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority General Aviation Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2 a.m.

There are additional steps and approvals required, but if all goes well, construction on the Oak Ridge Airport on the west end of town could start in late 2018 or early 2019, officials said Wednesday.

The airport could still cost an estimated $35 million to $40 million, officials said. It would be funded with a mix of federal funding, state aeronautical commission funding, and local funding from the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, or MKAA.

On Wednesday, the MKAA General Aviation Committee approved an airport layout plan during a meeting at McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa. The plan will now be sent to the Federal Aviation Administration for review and approval.

“It’s a very important step for us,” said Bill Marrison, president of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. [Read more…]

Planning Commission to consider new assisted living facility, medical office building

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A preliminary master plan for the planned unit development known as Azalea Place is shown above. See a larger version of this plan by clicking on the link included in the story below.

A preliminary master plan for the planned unit development known as Azalea Place is shown above. See a larger version of this plan by clicking on the link included in the story below.

 

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission on Thursday will consider a rezoning and abandoning part of West Madison Lane for a proposed assisted living facility, medical office building, and senior living homes.

The development, called Azalea Place, would be on 5.62 acres north of Methodist Medical Center and west of Michigan Avenue. It’s been proposed by Oak Ridge Senior Living LLC of Oak Ridge.

A preliminary master plan for the planned unit development, or PUD, shows a three-story, 60-bed assisted living facility of 40,000 square feet. The medical office building would be one story and 4,000 square feet. The plan also shows eight attached 1,000-square-feet senior living units with two-car garages. There would be open space, a turnaround, and a parcel that could be used for an office building. [Read more…]

Dine & Donate is Monday, March 13

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Cande Seay, left, and Teresa Myrick enjoy a festive lunch at Gallo Loco, located at 21 E. Tennessee Avenue in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Cande Seay, left, and Teresa Myrick enjoy a festive lunch at Gallo Loco, located at 21 E. Tennessee Avenue in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Eleven local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, on Monday, March 13, as part of the monthly Dine & Donate.

In Clinton, the participating restaurants are: [Read more…]

Photos: Panda Express, retail shops construction

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Construction work is pictured above on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in the area that will house a Panda Express restaurant and retail shops where Ruby Tuesday used to be on South Illinois Avenue. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Construction work is pictured above on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in the area that will house a Panda Express restaurant and retail shops where Ruby Tuesday used to be on South Illinois Avenue. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Construction work is under way in the small shopping center that will house a Panda Express restaurant and retail shops where Ruby Tuesday used to be on South Illinois Avenue.

Here are three photos of the work on Friday, February 10.

The former Ruby Tuesday restaurant was demolished in October.

A site plan for the Panda Express restaurant and retail development has been reviewed by the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission. [Read more…]

Photos: Main Street Oak Ridge construction

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Construction work continues for new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge, the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall. This work on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, is in the area that will house Dick's Sporting Goods and T.J. Maxx, roughly in the area of the former Sears department store. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Construction work continues for new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge, the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall. This work on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, is in the area that will house Dick’s Sporting Goods and T.J. Maxx, roughly in the area of the former Sears department store between Walmart and the U.S. Post Office. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Construction work continues for eight new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge, the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall.

Here are photos from the 58-acre project on Friday, February 10.

With the exception of Belk and JCPenney, the former mall has been demolished, and there has been significant progress on the sites where the new stores are being built.

RealtyLink, the development company, has previously said the eight new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge could be ready by late spring or summer. [Read more…]

Show of support for AMSE planned for Saturday, Feb. 18

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

A show of support and appreciation for the American Museum of Science and Energy is planned for Saturday, February 18, an organizer said.

“This is a gathering for appreciation and support for the museum and its role as a cornerstone and icon of our community,” organizer David Hackett said in an email. “It is not a political rally or protest as such.”

Hackett said politics and economics have affected the museum. He pointed out that the museum will be smaller after its relocation to the former Sears Roebuck store near JCPenney at the former Oak Ridge Mall, which is now being redeveloped as Main Street Oak Ridge.

“The downsizing comes at a crucial time for the advance of tourism and the creation of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park,” Hackett said. “Just when we should all be pulling together to make the park work, the rug is being pulled from under it.” [Read more…]

Career coach at Oak Ridge Library once a month from March-July

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Need to polish your resume, complete an online job application, or find the jobs that match your skill set?

The Career Coach, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Employment Security Division, will be coming to the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 16, April 13, May 18, June 15, and July 20. Come by any time during those hours and receive job assistance.

For more information on the Career Coach, check out the website at www.getonthecoach.tn.gov. This is a free service for the public, and library memberships are not required for participants. For more information, call the Library at (865) 425-3455.

This press release was submitted by Virginia Bayne.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dine & Donate on Monday

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Surrounded by friends Jane Palmer, Cande Seay, and Nancy Gray, Becky Rushton celebrated her birthday at Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery last month. Even Dean’s employee Duncan joined in the festivities! Dean’s has been a loyal Dine & Donate restaurant for many years, and we’re so glad they are part of “A Year of Dine & Donate!” (Photo submitted by ADFAC)

Surrounded by friends Jane Palmer, Cande Seay, and Nancy Gray, Becky Rushton celebrated her birthday at Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery last month. Even Dean’s employee Duncan joined in the festivities! Dean’s has been a loyal Dine & Donate restaurant for many years, and we’re so glad they are part of “A Year of Dine & Donate!” (Photo submitted by ADFAC)

 

On Monday, February 13, eleven local restaurants will “share the love” by donating a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. ADFAC’s February Dine & Donate event provides an early opportunity to treat loved ones to a special meal, all while supporting ADFAC’s charitable work and community restaurants, a press release said.

The participating restaurants are: [Read more…]

Countryside Tire and Auto gives car to Emory Valley Center at ribbon-cutting

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Business owners; city, county, and chamber of commerce officials; and others attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Countryside Tire and Auto Service on South Rutgers Avenue on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Countryside Tire and Auto Service gave a car to Emory Valley Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new shop on South Rutgers Avenue on Friday.

The car is a brown-and-black 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The gift includes 12 months of repair and maintenance.

Goodyear Tires donated tires for the vehicle, and Advance Auto Parts donated parts, said Jeff Cheek, who owns Countryside Tire and Auto Service with his wife Marilyn.

Chris Levesque, who has worked at Countryside Tire and Auto Service for about three years, is an Emory Valley Center client. [Read more…]

Free workshop on government contracting on Feb. 7

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The Tennessee Small Business Development Center will offer a free workshop on February 7 on the GSA Schedule (for government contracting).

The seminar is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, February 7, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, which is at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Call (865) 483-2668 or send an email to jbangs@tsbdc.org to register.