Simpl's chef is planning a 'New York style café' along South Knoxville riverfront

Simpl on Sevier may be gone, but there's a new South Knoxville restaurant coming to keep the brand alive.

Owner and chef Kendale Ball will open Simpl Cafe along the riverfront this fall. Think of it like the breakfast, lunch and coffee version of the Sevier Avenue restaurant, which closed in August.

He's aiming to open the smaller "New York style café" in October inside a commercial space at South Banks at Suttree Landing, the new waterfront apartment complex.

Ball told Knox News he wanted to incorporate these elements into the original restaurant, but the space wasn't big enough.

Ball said if it goes well he'd consider adding more locations, including one in his hometown of Newport, Tennessee.

"Our main goal is just to have a cool place to hang out, grab a good breakfast or lunch and just (make it) that kind of spot. Something simple. No pun intended," Ball said.

Simpl Café will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Why close Simpl on Sevier?

Ball said one major reason he closed Simpl on Sevier was his health. He's had several surgeries since it opened in 2019.

"I live by the motto in life, 'Go fast don't die,' and that's really taking a toll on my body right now," Ball said.

Ball and his wife had a baby over a year ago, and Ball said he wanted to spend more time with his family but felt like he couldn't do that and put 100% effort into Simpl.

"We realized that maybe if we just switch our concept to a breakfast and lunch spot, that allows me to still be in the kitchen and then still gonna be at home with my kid at night," Ball said. "That's the best of both worlds for me."

What will happen to Simpl's Sevier Avenue location?

Simpl on Sevier closed its doors Aug. 10, a few days earlier than planned due to an equipment failure.

Ball said another group has taken over the last few months of his lease and bought most of the restaurant equipment inside.

Ball's energy has turned to waiting for interior work to wrap up on Simpl Café.

"People kind of know our expectations when it comes to the products we serve," Ball said. "We're still in the neighborhood. We're just two blocks over, with a little bit better view. So, definitely can't be mad at that."

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: Restaurant Simpl Cafe to serve breakfast, lunch in South Knoxville