KINGSPORT — Cooler temperatures are setting in, which means fall is on the horizon in the Model City.
(Or “false fall,†depending on who you talk to. Tennessee weather sure is something.)
United Way fundraising banners line the streets, Spirit Halloween locations are opening and Pumpkin Spice items return at Starbucks this week.
New restaurants are still in the works, with Southern Craft ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, Eggs Up Grill, The Black Olive and Marco’s Pizza all preparing to open in Kingsport before the end of the year.
The city also officially broke ground on the IMAX theater last week, ushering in an era of long-awaited progress at the Fort Henry Mall. The theater is set to include approximately 400 luxury recliner seats, according to NCG Cinemas CEO Jeff Geiger.
Some downtown Kingsport businesses have recently talked about moving or expansion. Time Travel Toys, currently located at 413 E. Sullivan St., shared they would be moving into 227 E Sullivan St. , the move would give them a larger video game area, more toy showcases, expanded vintage selections and more.
Backwoods Burger Bar, currently located at 324 E. Market St., have hinted at a future move but not disclosed where downtown the new location would be. , the new spot will be “bigger, better, newer†and owned by the operators of the restaurant.
Ribbon cuttings, openings and anniversaries
The Kingsport Chamber held a grand re-opening ribbon cutting for The Laboratory on Monday. Located at 133 Broad St., the store originally opened in December 2020.
Ribbon cutting for Wyatt Law Suites planned for noon on Aug. 28. The business is located at 106 E. Main St. in Kingsport.
City and business leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony for the IMAX theater coming to the Fort Henry Mall on Aug. 20.
The Kingsport Chamber held a ribbon cutting for Ryan Shumate State Farm on Aug. 19. The office’s address is 585 W. Center St. in Kingsport.
The Downtown Kingsport Association held a ribbon cutting for a new restaurant in downtown Kingsport, Momma D’s, on Aug. 7. The restaurant is located at 243 E. Market St.
Grace Meadows Farm Creamery opened its Kingsport on Aug. 2 at the address of 300 Clinchfield St. near Barberitos.
Victory Martial Arts celebrated a ribbon cutting to mark its opening on July 31. It is located at 317 Cherokee St. in Suite 104.
Community happenings and events
The 2025 Dr. Lyon’s & Riverfront Festival will be held in Surgoinsville this weekend. On Friday, the event runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Dr. Lyons Day Festival is Saturday, with breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Surgoinsville United Methodist Church. The remainder of the event runs from noon to 10 p.m., with fireworks at 10 p.m. (Location is Riverfront Park at 2037 Longs Bend Pike)
Downtown Kingsport Shop & Hop to be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 4. Downtown businesses will stay open later and typically offer discounts or special opportunities during the Shop & Hop events.
The Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship is offering a “Opportunities for Small Businesses Without Health Insurance†training from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 4. The training will be held at 400 Clinchfield St. For more information, visit
Have a business question?
As part of this column, I wanted to introduce a new segment called “Business Breakdown.†It’s where readers can submit their own inquiries on business happenings, and I will answer them either in “Minding Your Business†or a separate story entirely, if it warrants a lengthier response.
Have a business-related inquiry you’re itching to know about? Send me an email at awinters@sixriversmedia.con and I will look into it.
