Oak Ridge Today

Hobby Lobby has grand opening celebration Monday

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The Hobby Lobby at the former Kroger store on South Illinois Avenue has a grand opening on Monday morning, Oct. 3, 2016. The store is pictured above on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 30.

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. will open in Oak Ridge with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official grand opening celebration on Monday morning. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. October 3. It’s open to the public.

Hobby Lobby is a privately held national retail chain of craft and home decor stores.

The Oak Ridge store, which will be managed by Michael Ramsey, is Hobby Lobby’s 23rd location in Tennessee. The 63,000-square-foot store is in the former Kroger store in a shopping center near the intersection of South Illinois and South Rutgers avenues.

“We feel blessed for the fantastic opportunity to be a part of the Oak Ridge community,” said John Schumacher, Hobby Lobby assistant vice president of advertising. “Our goal is for customers to experience the exceptional service, selection, and value Hobby Lobby offers.”

Local dignitaries, ambassadors from the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and other business leaders will attend the Monday morning celebration, a press release said. [Read more…]

Anderson County Democratic Party Headquarters now open

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Anderson County Democratic Headquarters July 2016

Anderson County Democratic Party Headquarters is pictured above at 136 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

The Anderson County Democratic Party celebrated the grand opening of its headquarters at 136 South Illinois Avenue with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, a press release said. The headquarters are in the former Polaris Travel Building.

After the ribbon cutting, there was a watch party for the historic acceptance speech of Hillary Clinton, the press release said.

“We had such a large turnout, that headquarters couldn’t hold everyone, and some of the people met at Swifty’s across the street to watch it,” the release said. “The party headquarters will become the one-stop shop for all matters related to Team Hillary 2016.”

Among those attending were Melody Shekari, a candidate for the United States House of Representatives Third District and Herman Collins, write-in candidate for State Representative for the 33rd District. [Read more…]

Officials to celebrate legislation allowing ATVs on Highway 25W in Rocky Top

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City of Rocky Top Seal

Officials in Rocky Top and Anderson County will have a ribbon-cutting on Friday, July 1, to celebrate recent legislation that allows all-terrain vehicles to ride on Highway 25W starting this summer.

The celebration will include officials from the City of Rocky Top, Rocky Top Chamber of Commerce, and Anderson County Tourism Council. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday, July 1, at the “Welcome to Rocky Top City” sign located between the southbound exit ramp of Exit 129 off of Interstate 75 and the Colonial Road in front of KFC and Cracker Barrel.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation to amend current law that would allow for all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, to ride on Highway 25W in Rocky Top from the intersection of Colonial Lane to the intersection at Jacksboro Avenue beginning July 1, a press release said.

“Current legislation allows for ATVs to be operated on State Route 116 from Beech Grove to Highway 25,” said Mike Lovely, Rocky Top mayor. “This amendment extends the riding area and allows riders from Windrock Park to access the commerce area of Rocky Top.” [Read more…]

Coal Creek Miners Museum has grand opening on March 11

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The Coal Creek Miners Museum in Rocky Top will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting on March 11.

The museum tells the story of the miners that lived, worked, and died in Coal Creek, Fraterville, and Briceville, and it also tells about the historically significant events that changed the mining industry, a press release said.

The grand opening is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. March 11 at the new museum, which is at 201 South Main Street in Rocky Top (formerly known as Lake City). The ribbon-cutting with the Rocky Top Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Here is more information from a press release:

The story starts in the late 1800s when the “free” miners fought against the convict lease system, a struggle that ultimately ended the system in the southern states. [Read more…]

Photo: Fast Pace Urgent Care has ribbon-cutting

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The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Feb. 15, 2016, at Fast Pace Urgent Care on South Illinois Avenue. (Photo submitted by Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce)

 

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, February 15, at Fast Pace Urgent Care. The new business is located at 441 South Illinois Avenue.

ORNL Federal Credit Union opens new Oak Ridge branch

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Local officials and executives celebrate the new Oak Ridge branch of ORNL Federal Credit Union with a ribbon-cutting on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The new Oak Ridge branch of ORNL Federal Credit Union opened Tuesday. Officials and executives celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Monday.

It’s the new main Oak Ridge branch, and it’s at 215 South Rutgers Avenue. That’s where ORNL Federal Credit Union had its original headquarters, right next to where the current headquarters are.

The main Oak Ridge branch was in the current headquarters building until this week.

The new branch building has extended drive-through hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (lobby will close at noon).

“This is a great addition to our community,” Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch said at Monday’s ribbon-cutting. [Read more…]

New animal holding facility gives AC a place to keep strays, other dogs

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Anderson County officials and volunteers celebrate a new animal holding facility on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton that will be used to hold strays and other dogs. Pictured above is a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:20 a.m.

CLAXTON—A new animal holding facility in Anderson County gives the county a place to hold stray dogs and dogs held for other reasons, such as animals rescued or taken away from crashes, drug busts, and drunken driving arrests, officials said Friday.

The new 12-kennel Anderson County Animal Holding Facility is on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton, at the Blockhouse Valley Recycling Center.

It helps the county deal with a shortage of space elsewhere, including at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said.

It’s not a shelter yet, but that’s part of the long-term plan. Officials and volunteers said the holding facility is just the first step for them. [Read more…]

Photos: Alexander Guest House ribbon-cutting, open house

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Pictured above during a ribbon-cutting and open house at the Alexander Guest House on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, are former Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, left; Rick Dover of Dover Development, the East Tennessee company that converted the historic two-story hotel into an assisted living center; and Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 5, celebrated the conversion of the former Alexander Inn, a historic two-story hotel in central Oak Ridge, into an assisted living center called Alexander Guest House.

The ceremony, which was organized by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, included an open house. Guests toured the new 64-apartment assisted living center, which is located at 210 East Madison Road in Jackson Square.

Preserving the former Alexander Inn had been a dream for years, and those who have toured the two-year, $8 million conversion, completed by Dover Development of East Tennessee, have described it as “lovely” and “absolutely tremendous,” among other superlatives. [Read more…]

Thursday ribbon-cutting for historic hotel converted into assisted living center

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Alexander Guest House Front Entrance Sept. 23, 2015

The front entrance is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for Thursday evening at The Alexander Guest House, a historic hotel converted into an assisted living center.

The ceremony is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 5:45 p.m., according to the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

“Following this ribbon-cutting, please plan to attend an open house,” organizers said. “We hope you’ll join us to celebrate.”

The Alexander Guest House, which has 64 apartments, is located at 210 East Madison Road in Oak Ridge.

Preserving the former Alexander Inn had been a dream for years. In September, Rick Dover of Dover Development of East Tennessee, said the two-year, $8 million construction and renovation project was almost finished. [Read more…]

Hanks’ Market has ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, Goodwill moving

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Hank's Market

The new Hank’s Market grocery store in east Oak Ridge has a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The new Hank’s Market grocery store in east Oak Ridge has a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 25.

Hank’s Market #45 will be in the space formerly used by the Food Lion grocery store at 691 Emory Valley Road.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, with the ribbon-cutting at 10:15.

Food Lion confirmed its plans to close its Oak Ridge store in June 2014. The company said it was not renewing its lease on the property.

The spaces where Curves and Briarcliff Realty used to be next to Food Lion have been under renovation also, and in July, Goodwill confirmed that it is moving to Emory Valley Road. [Read more…]

Admiral Title has ribbon-cutting

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Admiral Title Ribbon-cutting

Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce member Admiral Title Inc. celebrated a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 13. (Photo submitted by Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce)

 

Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce member Admiral Title Inc. celebrated a ribbon-cutting on August 13. Admiral Title Inc. has expanded their business to Oak Ridge at 133 Lafayette Drive Suite 101.

Hibachi Pizza open in Oliver Springs

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Hibachi Pizza Ribbon-cutting

Hibachi Pizza owners Michael Pfeiffer and Darian Crossno recently celebrated their grand opening with an Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting and Business After Hours. (Submitted photo)

 

Hibachi Pizza owners Michael Pfeiffer and Darian Crossno recently celebrated their grand opening with an Anderson County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.

Hibachi Pizza is located at 526 East Tri-County Boulevard in Oliver Springs.

The restaurant opened July 16 where Mountain Pizza used to be. It’s affiliated with Hibachi Burger in Oak Ridge and specializes in Japanese and American cuisine such as hibachi, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza.

The restaurant is open from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Hibachi Pizza is closed on Sunday. [Read more…]