News Summary
Sweet P’s Downtown Dive in Knoxville will close on June 15, 2025, after a decade of service. The decision follows declining business at the downtown location, while the Uptown Corner location continues to thrive. Owner Chris Ford cites increased competition as the reason for the downturn. Despite the closure, catering services will continue, and efforts will be made to assist affected employees. Sweet P’s has been a staple in the Knoxville culinary scene since its inception in 2005, making this closure a significant loss for the community.
Knoxville – Sweet P’s Downtown Dive, a well-known eatery in Knoxville, will close its doors for good on June 15, 2025, following a decade of service at 410 W. Jackson Avenue. The closure follows the restaurant’s final business day, which coincides with Father’s Day. This decision comes amidst declining business at the downtown location, while the Uptown Corner location on Tazewell Pike continues to thrive.
Owner Chris Ford has noted a significant drop in activity at the Downtown Dive, contrasting sharply with the healthier performance of the Uptown Corner. The Uptown Corner location, situated at 3029 Tazewell Pike, has successfully built a loyal customer base by providing table service and a full bar for both lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Ford attributes the downturn in business at the downtown site to heightened competition from other nearby restaurants.
Despite the impending closure, Ford expressed gratitude for the steadfast support of customers throughout the years and recognized the efforts of his dedicated staff. After the Downtown Dive closes, catering services will continue from the Fountain City location, preserving a segment of Sweet P’s operations. In an effort to assist the employees affected by the closure, Ford is reaching out to fellow local restaurateurs to explore job opportunities for them.
Sweet P’s has become a staple in the Knoxville culinary scene since its inception. Originally launched as a catering operation in 2005, the restaurant opened its first brick-and-mortar location in 2009, known originally as Sweet P’s Barbeque and Soul House in South Knoxville. The establishment gained recognition after being featured in popular food programming, including Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” in 2010, and Food Network’s “United Tastes of America” in 2011, which significantly boosted its visibility and customer interest.
The South Knoxville location, which served patrons for over a decade, unfortunately closed in 2021. This closure reflects a concerning trend for restaurants in Knoxville’s downtown area as it battles with increasing competition and shifts in local business landscapes. Other notable restaurants in the area, such as Frothy Monkey and Babalu, have also recently shuttered their operations, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the local dining industry.
While Sweet P’s Downtown Dive has been a cherished establishment for many in Knoxville, the closure marks the end of an era. As the restaurant prepares to close its doors, the community will undoubtedly feel the loss of a beloved dining option that has contributed richly to the local food culture.
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Downtown Knoxville Experiences Business Changes: Closures and New Ventures
Additional Resources
- WATE: Sweet P’s Closing Downtown Knoxville Location
- Wikipedia: Knoxville
- Inside of Knoxville: Sweet P’s Downtown Dive to Close
- Google Search: Sweet P’s Barbecue
- Knox News: Sweet P’s Downtown Knoxville Restaurant to Close
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Industry Knoxville
- WBIR: Sweet P’s Downtown Dive to Close in June
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- WATE Video: Sweet P’s Closing Downtown Knoxville Location
- Google News: Knoxville Restaurants
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
