Kern's Food Hall delayed again, but there's high 'eggspectation' for a new global tenant
Good news and bad news for Kern's Food Hall: An all-day brunch chain is coming to the South Knoxville venue, but the food hall's opening has been delayed again.
Atlanta-based developer Alex Dominguez, however, is looking at the silver lining. The delays have inspired him and his partners at Four Stones Real Estate to open in a larger capacity, rather than having tenants open in multiple waves.
The venue is now planning for just two rounds of openings. The first will happen when the food hall opens, now scheduled for March. The second would happen in the summer, Dominguez told Knox News via text.
The food hall was most recently scheduled to open by the end of 2023 but has been faced with a "myriad of items" to address, he said.
The food hall concept allows multiple independent businesses to operate in a shared space, with individual vendor stalls and open seating for guests.
Eggspectation is the latest tenant to be announced and would open in the second wave. Founded in 1993, the all-day brunch restaurant has expanded from Montreal to six countries that include Egypt, Pakistan and Qatar.
Eggspectation among latest vendors announced for Kern's Food Hall
Most of Eggspectation's U.S. locations are open or being planned in Maryland. A Nashville location is scheduled to open in the spring.
The restaurant was founded with a "cosmopolitan-cool vibe utilizing industrial chic décor with contemporary artwork," according to its website.
With a focus on "whatever meal is making your day," the restaurant specializes in all-day breakfast and brunch items. But the menus also include dinner items like burgers, pasta, pizza and an array of seafood.
Essentially, the menu mirrors the spirit of food halls, with a little something for everyone. Eggspectation restaurants include full bars, according to its website, and smoothies are made in house.
Since Knox News last reported on Kern's vendors in August, Hemingway's Cuban Kitchen and Lovebird have been announced as tenants.
Here is the full list of businesses planning to join the food hall:
Archer Paper Goods
Ava Italian
Awaken Coffee
Amaryllis Taqueria
Clean Smoke BBQ
F45 Workout
Hemingway's Cuban Kitchen
Irvey's Ice Cream
Jessica Wang (jewelry)
Kandilige Spicy Food
Lovebird
Mae Lee's Boutique
Mellow Boutique
Monday Night Brewing
T. Ralph's Burgers
Won Kitchen
Zukku Sushi
In addition to Eggspectation, Dominguez said, Clean Smoke BBQ, Myrtle's Bakehouse and a speakeasy would all open in the second wave. Rod Parton, owner of Drop Zone Distilling, told Knox News his business will no longer open at Kern's.
Kern's Food Hall bringing something different to South Knoxville
Kern's Food Hall will look quite different than Marble City Market, which became Knoxville's first food hall when it opened downtown in November 2021.
Marble City Market, whose first year in business was defined by an exodus of tenants, has roughly 10 food vendors and a single bar.
Kern's, on the other hand, is planning for more than just food and drink. While multiple bars are planned for the venue, including a rooftop patio, bourbon bar and speakeasy, the venue also is planning an event lawn and dog park.
Plus, Kern's is welcoming non-food vendors to the Chapman Highway property, including boutiques and a workout facility.
Dominguez said the opening date for Kern's was pushed back as crews continue working to pave the parking lot and complete the event lawn. They're also working through tasks related to gas, electrical and "about 20 other items," he said.
"But at a higher level is the importance of opening with a good number of tenants open and ready to serve the public on this long-awaited project," he said. "As you can imagine, with the long-awaited opening, the folks in Knoxville have heard over and over again about Kern's and when it will open, thus I'm always reluctant to (throw) out false hope."
The development team appears to have solved a public access issue. In October, Knox News reported Burger Boys would be closing and giving up its stoplight so that Kern's could have a proper entrance.
Chapman Highway has become an even more important thoroughfare in recent years, as developers look to capitalize on South Knoxville's potential.
The highway divides the flourishing Sevier Avenue business community to the east and the up-and-coming neighborhoods to the west along Blount Avenue.
The latter area is where a proposed pedestrian bridge would land on the waterfront to connect South Knoxville with the landlocked University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus.
Multiple apartment projects have popped up nearby in recent years, including the food hall developers' own Flagship Kerns.
The food hall is being constructed just south of the Henley Street bridge. Much of the venue will be inside the former Kern's Bakery, located at 2201 Kerns Rising Way.
Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Eggspectation plans all-day brunch in Knoxville at Kern's Food Hall
