Mayor to host final cash mob to benefit Fountain City's Alvin Frye

Burchett and Frye

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is organizing one last cash mob Thursday afternoon, this time to show appreciation to Alvin Frye, a longtime local business owner in Fountain City.

Frye served during World War II and the Korean War and has owned the Fountain City Exxon station at the intersection of Broadway and Essary Road for more than 25 years, and for nearly 60 years owned stations at various Fountain City locations.

Frye’s filling station will close on Dec. 31.

The cash mob will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Thursday and is open to the public.
Burchett is encouraging the community to stop by the Fountain City Exxon station, 5306 Broadway, to fill up on gas and to say 'thank you' to Frye and his employees for their years of service to the community. Members of the public can sign an oversized thank you card for Frye.

Frye is currently battling health issues and the Fountain City Lions Club is accepting contributions to the “Alvin Frye Fund” to help the family with cover expenses for his treatment and care.

Contributions can be sent in the form of a check made payable to the Fountain City Lions Club, P.O. Box 5276, Knoxville, TN 37928. Please note the “Alvin Frye Fund” in the memo line of the check.

Many Knoxville residents will recognize Frye’s service station for its “No Lottery, No Beer” sign displayed along Broadway – others may remember the sign as saying “No Lottery, No Beer, Not a Casino.”

Mayor to host Alvin Frye cash mob as longtime business prepares to close

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is organizing one last cash mob, this time to show appreciation to Alvin Frye, a longtime local business owner in Fountain City.

Frye served during World War II and the Korean War and has owned the Fountain City Exxon station at the intersection of Broadway and Essary Road for more than 25 years, and for nearly 60 years owned stations at various Fountain City locations.

Frye’s filling station will permanently close on Dec. 31.

On Dec. 22, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Burchett invites members of the community to stop by the Fountain City Exxon station, 5306 Broadway, to fill up on gas and to say thank you to Frye and his employees for their years of service to the community. Members of the public can sign an oversized thank you card for Frye.

Frye is currently battling health issues and the Fountain City Lions Club is accepting contributions to the “Alvin Frye Fund” to help the family with cover expenses for his treatment and care. Contributions can be sent in the form of a check made payable to the Fountain City Lions Club, P.O. Box 5276, Knoxville, TN 37928. Please note the “Alvin Frye Fund” in the memo line of the check.

Many Knoxville residents will recognize Frye’s service station for its “No Lottery, No Beer” sign displayed along Broadway – others may remember the sign as saying “No Lottery, No Beer, Not a Casino.”

Lunch with Mayor set for Thursday

Looks like the "Lunch with da Mayor" gigs have returned.

The public is invtied to hang and complain with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Thursday at Sam & Andy's Restaurant in Fountain City (located at 2613 West Adair and has been locally-owned and operated since 1946).

The event - you're paying for your own, buddy, cause the mayor ain't buying it for you - will feature a  lunch special of grilled pork tenderloin and two sides for $7.99. Obviously, you can eat what you want.

The entire menu is available online RIGHT SMACK HERE.

The restaurant accepts cash, credit and debit cards.

Lunch with Mayor at Gus's on Friday

Haven't seen one of these in awhile. I guess Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett hasn't had lunch with every resident yet.

Released on Friday, the issued the following:

The community is invited to join Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett for lunch on Friday, Feb. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gus’s Good Times Deli, 815 Melrose Place.

Mayor Burchett hosts cash mob and “Lunch with the Mayor” events at local retail establishments and restaurants as a way of encouraging the entire community to turn out and support local business.

In addition to its regular menu, Gus’s will offer three lunch specials during the event: half pound cheeseburger, fries and fountain drink for $6.99; steamed deli sandwich, fries and fountain drink for $7.99; and a fried chicken sandwich, fries and fountain drink for $5.99.

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance. As always, attendees will be responsible for purchasing their own meals.

Burchett bringing back the cash mob

According to the latest county release, Mayor Tim Burchett is bringing back da Cash Mob. (Not sure when he held his last one as he's been focusing on those "lunch with the mayor" deals).

The next mob is set for Saturday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is kind of odd cause it's (a) a Saturday and (b) a game day.

Anyhoo, the mayor will host this event at Fountain City Exxon station, 5306 Broadway. Stop by, fill up on gas, grab a soft drink or get an oil change, the release notes.  Mayor Burchett also will be pumping gas at the station during this time.

The release continues:

World War II veteran Alvin Frye, 91, has owned the Fountain City Exxon station at the intersection of Broadway and Essary Road for 24 years, and for nearly 60 years has owned stations at various Fountain City locations.

Many Knoxville residents will recognize Frye’s service station for its “No Lottery, No Beer” sign displayed along Broadway – others may remember the sign as saying “No Lottery, No Beer, Not a Casino.”

Burchett occasionally hosts cash mob and “Lunch with the Mayor” events at local retail establishments and restaurants as a way of encouraging the entire community to turn out and support local business.

Mama Mia gets next lunch with mayor

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett continues his "Lunch with the Mayor" program next Wednesday (July 2) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mama Mia Cuisine, 9115 Executive Park Drive.

Mama Mia Cuisine, a locally owned restaurant, and will offer a buy-one-get-one-free lunch entrée special during the Lunch with the Mayor event, so bring a friend.

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance.  As always, attendees will be responsible for purchasing their own meals.

Next Lunch with Mayor set for Friday

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will hold his next Lunch with the Mayor event this Friday, April 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pete’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant located in downtown Knoxville at 540 Union Avenue. The restaurant is locally owned and operated.

During the event, Pete’s will offer a $5 cheeseburger and fries Lunch with the Mayor special, or guests can order the regular Friday special of fried catfish and shrimp, two sides, and a corn muffin or roll for $7.49.

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance.  As always, this event is “Dutch treat.”

Lunch with Mayor set for Habaneros

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett continues his quest to eat with every resident in the area.

They mayor will hold his next "Lunch with the Mayor" even tomorrow from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Habaneros Mexican Grill. The restaurant is located at 4704 Asheville Highway.

Locally owned, Habaneros will offer several lunch specials, including lunch fajitas for $6.99, Pollo Monterrey for $6.99 and a Speedy Gonzalez meal for $4.49.

The event will coincide with a constituent meeting, which gives citizens the opportunity to meet one-on-one and speak individually with the mayor about issues that are important to them. 

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance.  As always, this event is “Dutch treat," meaning Mayor Cheapskate ain't picking up your tab!

Lunch with mayor gig set for Friday

Looks like Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett's got all kinds of announcements today. Heh. The mayor will hold this year's first "Lunch with the Mayor" gig on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sam & Andy's West, at 11110 Kingston Pike.

It's a locally-owned restaurant, and will offer a Vol. burger and fries for $5 during the event. Please note that the restaurant only accepts cash and checks and not credit/debit cards.

The public is invited and as always Mayor "El Cheapo" wants to remind you that the event is "Dutch treat," meaning he's not picking up the tab - you are! Heh.

Lunch with mayor set for Friday 13th

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is hosting his final Lunch with the Mayor event of the year next Friday, and he hopes the community will come out to support another great local business, according to the latest from Big Sexy Michael Grider.

The next Lunch with the Mayor will be Friday, Dec. 13, at the Fountain City Diner, 3029 Tazewell Pike, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Fountain City Diner is owned by Dennis and Penny Wagner.  The diner will offer Lunch with the Mayor specials, including chicken pot pie and two sides for $7.99 (regularly $9.99) and all cakes, pies and cheesecakes will be $3 per slice (regular price $4.99) – and it’s all made from scratch.

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance.  As always, this event is “Dutch treat.”

Friday's 'Lunch with Mayor' at Kay's

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett continues his quest to eat everyone with everyone. The office will host another lunch with the mayor on tomorrow, this time at Kay's Ice Cream at 6200 Chapman Highway in South Knoxville, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Obviously, El Cheapo isn't paying, so bring your own coin. And also note, that Kay's doesn't accept checks, credit or debit cards. kay's, which is locally owned, will offer specials during the luncheon.

Burchett to host Friday luncheon

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett once again is hosting lunch – hosting, folks, but not paying – in his never ending question to eat with everyone, this time at the Original Freezo on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The restaurant is located at 1305 N. Central St. in North Knoxville. The place will offer a “meat and two” special for $4.99. 

Notes, this place takes coin and folding paper only. That means, no checks, credit or debit cards.

These "lunch with the mayor" shindigs are a byproduct of the mayor's hugely successful cash mob initiatives that garnered national attention, despite the best efforts of some. 

As always, this sucker is Dutch treat. Mayor cheapskate pays for no one.

Heh.

Another lunch with mayor tomorrow

Looks like Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is continuing that never-ending request to eat everywhere with everyone (and no he ain't picking up the tab).

The county's spin team of Michael "Big Sexy" Grider and kid sidekick just sent out its latest release, noting that the mayor on Friday (that's tomorrow) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. will host another "Lunch with the Mayor" event, this time at Round Up Restaurant in South Knoxville at 3643 Sevierville Pike. 

The locally owned restaurant will also serve a "lunch with the mayor" special, including a lunch plate with meat, sides and bread for $5.49, all you can eat catfish for $6.49 and $0.99 desserts.

Next lunch with mayor at Steamboat

In his never-ending quest to eat with all people at all places, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will host his next lunch with the mayor shin-dig this Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 2307 West Emory Road, across from Powell High School. Steamboat is also offering Lunch with the Mayor sandwich specials during that time.

According to the county's latest spin deal, just released by communications Manager of To, Michael "Big Sexy" Grider, Steamboat is a locally-owned franchise business with locations on Market Square and in Powell. The original Steamboat restaurant opened in Knoxville in 1989.

'Lunch with Mayor' continues Friday

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will continue his quest to chow down with every single resident this Friday when hosts his monthly "Lunch with the Mayor" gig, this time at Kitts Cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The restaurant is located at 4620 Greenway Drive, across from the Joann's in the Target Shopping Center on Washington Pike. The "special" will include a free dessert with a plate lunch order.

And no, the mayor is not paying for your lunch.

That said, feel free to show up and gripe, commend or just plain hang out.

First ever SouthFest kicks off today

So, today's the day Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett kicks off his biggest cash mob yet: Southfest, a two-day event along Chapman Highway, just south of the Henley Street Bridge.

Check out the cool map that the county put together. Right smack here. They'll also be available at the event.

(Personally, I hope this because an annual thing and grows each year to the point of backed-up traffic, heavy partying and general craziness.)

Free public parking will be available at the Tennova garage on Blount Avnue, across from the former Baptist Hospital. There is a shuttle stop there, so people can park and ride, according to county communications Manager Big “Michael Grider” Sexy.

You can find out more about times and events right smack here.

'Lunch with Mayor' set for Friday

Chow down tomorrow with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett as he continues his “Lunch with the Mayor” series, this time at El Charro in Farragut from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It's Dutch treat. That means he ain't paying. You are. Heh.

The address is 10420 Kingston Pike. Click right smack here for the website.

McLemore wins next cash mob gig

Forgot about this. The county announced this morning that McLemore Florist will host the next cash mob. The South Knoxville business is located at 106 E. Young High Pike.

The event is set for 5-7 p.m. next Friday. Click right smack here for the shop.

As you might recall, a little while back the county took nominations for South Knoxville businesses. Then communications stud, Michael “Big Sexy” Grider, posted the top five pick, so folks could vote.

Here are the results:

• McLemore Florist: 1,324
• Tea and Treasures: 569
• Colonial Village Shopping Center (ice cream, hardware and bakery): 461
• Sally's Alley: 172
• Myrtle's Mess: 24

In addition to cash mob specials, McLemore will offer seasons items, specialty boquets and cash-and-carry arrangements at the event. The family also owns a all salon and plans to have a manicurist at the cash mob.

Burchett announces 'SouthFest' event

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett

Well, I guess I was right. This afternoon, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett announced his latest cash mob event - a two-day "festival-like event" throughout South Knoxville dubbed "SouthFest."

It will be held on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13, and is "intended to encourage people to shop, eat and have a good time at local businesses south of the river."

“There’s a perception in other parts of the county that it’s just too hard to get to South Knoxville because of the extended bridge closure,” the mayor said in a released statement. “We want to bring people out south for this event so they’ll realize the detour is not hard to navigate.”

Now, Burchett is certainly to be commended on this. I dig that he's trying to help South Knoxville. Particularly when other local leaders have ignored it. 

But, like many things in the Burchett administration, this announcement seems half-butted (can't say a$$ anymore) and done by the seat of his pants.

The spin release clearly states that "details about the event will trickle out over the enxt few weeks via press release and on Twitter."

In other words: "Right now, we got nothing. Heck, we don't even have  Queensryche." (Thank God.)

However, the mayor did note that the event will feature live music, family friendly activities, a car show and "circus-style entertainment from the Shriners." 

That's certainly a start.

Burchett to again help South Knox

Being all cryptic, like Bigfoot or something, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett's spin team of only Michael "Big Sexy" Grider just sent out a release, saying that the mayor will make a "South Knox announcement" at 5 p.m. today (presumably so he can be on TV) at Emery's 5 & 10 on Chapman Highway.

Commissioner Mike Brown and a number of local business owners will be there for the "exciting announcement about an upcoming event."

My guess is that they're going to hold a larger than usual cash mob throughout the South Knoxville area sometime soon.

No word on whether the city's administration will attend. They got all cagey when former Mayor Victor Ashe asked them about throwing some support toward South Knoxville for his weekly column in the Shopper-News.