Sam & Andy's in Fountain City closes after 25 years, but the new location is staying open

Keenan Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
Updated ·2 min read
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Sam & Andy's Fountain City has closed after serving the community for over 25 years, but the new Sam & Andy's Bexhill location will stay open.

Owner Chris Captain confirmed the news that the 2613 Adair Drive location had closed.

"It's sad and it hurts because that's where my kids grew up," he said.

The Fountain City restaurant had temporarily closed so the staff could train new employees. But with few applications and fewer hires, Sam & Andy's couldn't run both locations at the same time. Coupled with caring for a loved one, Captain made the difficult decision to close Fountain City, which had been open since 1998.

"To leave that community, which I've been a part of for over 50 years and 25 business years, it's definitely sad. But, I was faced with some unforeseen challenges due to my wife's cancer and labor, and it was challenging," Captain told Knox News.

Knoxville has always been great to Sam & Andy's, he said.

The 1403 Bexhill Drive location opened December 2023 with the goal of being a neighborhood restaurant. The neighbors came out in droves, even walking to the restaurant during January's winter storm.

The Bexhill menu features Sam & Andy's classics like steamed sandwiches and burgers, as well as a new milkshake bar.

After operating for more than 25 years, Sam & Andy's Fountain City restaurant has closed.
After operating for more than 25 years, Sam & Andy's Fountain City restaurant has closed.

Sam & Andy's is one of Knoxville's oldest restaurant brands

Based on name alone, Sam & Andy's is one of Knoxville's oldest restaurants.

The original location opened on Cumberland Avenue in 1946 and closed in 1997.

Captain's father, George John Captain, separately owns Sam & Andy's West in Farragut.

Captain tries to follow his dad's principles in running the business: offer good food, good service, good price, and be real with customers and employees.

"It's extremely sad closing one, but very exciting opening up (Bexhill)," Captain said. "Sam & Andy's, it's been around for 80 years, and I think as long as I stick to the principles that my father had taught me, then it'll be around for another 80."

Sam & Andy's Bexhill is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Sam & Andy's Fountain City closed, West Knoxville restaurant is open