Jim and Lori Klonaris, the owners of well-known local spots such as Cafe 4, Kefi, the Square Room and the Press Room have had their eye on the Holston building since 2015. They found the perfect spot on the first floor but couldn’t secure the location at the time. With the help of our broker, Will Sims they have finally secured the property.
Opening later this year, the Holston will now feature a new Pan Latin Restaurant called Vita on the main floor and a chic, retro cocktail lounge in the vault. The location is perfect for these new projects, especially with the recent addition of more than 700 hotel rooms from Embassy Suites (another propery Oliver Smith Realty helped develop), Hyatt Place and Courtyard Knoxville Downtown.
The menu will include fresh hot and cold small plates. Most of East Tennessee Latin restaurants fall into the typical Mexican or Tex-Mex styles, this concept will broaden that range and feature dishes from all over Latin America. The goal is to provide Knoxville with something they have yet to experience, while keeping some familiar dishes.
The 4,500 sqft space will seat 125 inside and 40-50 on an outdoor patio adjacent to Krutch Park.
There will be a hidden entrance on Clinch Avenue which leads to “The Vault”, a retro-style cocktail lounge serving classic cocktails in an upscale atmosphere.
Work is scheduled to begin in early February.
View a short video showing the property as it looks today from WBIR on YouTube.