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USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Latest news releases on business happenings in Greater Knoxville Business Journal area. Check back all week for updates.

 

SVN expands presence in Tenn. with addition of SVN | Wood Properties

Boston, MA — (February 7, 2017) — SVN International Corp. (SVN), a full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN® brand, announced the addition of its newest franchise office, SVN | Wood Properties, based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Led by Managing Director George Brown, the firm specializes in providing commercial sales, leasing, property management, development and consulting services throughout the East Tennessee market. SVN | Wood Properties is the fifth SVN office in the state of Tennessee, further expanding the company’s full-service, collaborative approach to commercial real estate in the region.

“Built on SVN’s Shared Value Network®, we strive to identify and work with market leaders who share our vision of a collaborative and open approach to commercial real estate,” said Kevin Maggiacomo, President & CEO of SVN International Corp. “This philosophy is already instilled in the team at SVN | Wood Properties, making it a valuable addition to SVN, along with their strong understanding of the East Tennessee market, SVN | Wood Properties is sure to prosper.”

Brown brings 10 years of experience in commercial real estate to SVN | Wood Properties, where he will lead a team of 10 Advisors focused on commercial real estate advisory within the local East Tennessee market. The 41-year-old firm plans to leverage SVN’s international platform to support the firm’s growth and reach, as well as the cutting-edge commercial real estate technology available to all SVN franchises to help advance its offerings to the local market.

 “We recognize a similar business ethic and foundation in SVN and share many of the same values,” said Brown. “SVN provides us with the ability to keep our local relationships, while establishing a national affiliation and utilize essential tools of the business for success and growth. By partnering with SVN, our team has the opportunity to remain a leading firm while adding best-in-class services.”

The SVN brand was founded in 1987 out of a desire to improve the commercial real estate industry for all stakeholders through cooperation and a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues and communities. SVN currently has more than 200 offices serving over 500 national and international markets. By tapping into this broad network, SVN | Wood Properties is able to offer its clients expanded services in the leasing, acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate.

All SVN offices are independently owned and operated. To learn more about becoming an SVN commercial real estate business owner, visit http://www.svn.com/franchising-opportunities/ 

POLITICAL FIRE TRAIN STACY CAMPFIELD TO HOST MORNING SHOW

Knoxville, TN, February 2, 2018– Former State Senator and lightning rod for conversation, Stacey Campfield has joined forces with TalkRadio 92.3/AM 760’s morning talk show “Real News.” His role will be as a guest co-host, with Nick Crawford, filling in for host Grant Henry until March 1st. “This is a great venue to talk about the issues of the day in a positive way, on a news station that actually talks about the news,” says Campfield. Station manager John Adams said, "While Mr. Henry takes some time off, I think Stacey is the perfect person to fill in. His experience, knowledge of the topics and quick wit makes his participation in the morning show compelling. For me, it is 'must listen' radio. Real News' has always been, since its inception, a strong and popular program,” Adams added. "It continues to be with Nick and Stacey and of course, will be so when Mr. Henry returns in a few weeks." Mr. Campfield served as the Republican member of the Tennessee Senate from the 7th district, which includes Knoxville, Farragut, University of Tennessee, Powell and other parts of Knox County. 

Former State Sen. Stacey Campfield

Real News with Grant Henry and Nick Crawford is a political commentary show dedicated to bringing the  listeners the coverage of the most relevant local, state and national political topics, in a way that cuts through the irrelevant, nonsensical minutia that saturates most media coverage. Our hosts work full-time to decipher the truth, regardless of political affiliation. Content is delivered daily, Monday through Friday, from 7-10am.

Genius Kitchen announces new original content and adds Jamie Oliver’s “Jamie’s Super Food” to the platform

KNOXVILLE -- Genius Kitchen, the food-focused digital offering from Scripps Lifestyle Studios, will debut an additional 40+ hours of on-demand content in early 2018, including new content for original shows, international licensed shows, recipe videos, and more.

“After we launched in October, we saw a huge group of passionate viewers respond positively to the content and ask for another helping,” said Rich Lacy, Senior Vice President of Digital Brand Creative at Scripps Lifestyle Studios. “Our content is always tailored to the diverse array of experiences that young people look for when they watch video, and we look forward to providing more of what they like and expect on their digital platforms.”

Now streaming on mobile and connected device apps is acclaimed chef Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Super Food, which will make its U.S. debut on the Genius Kitchen platform. In the first three shows, Jamie travels to Greece, Costa Rica, and beyond to share healthy cooking tips that anyone across the world can adopt and enjoy. New on-demand videos will arrive monthly.

Genius Kitchen will also produce new content for Carnivorous, Feast with Friends, Famous Food Truck, Pop Culture Baking Class and more.

Comedian and actress Courtney Rada will renew her role as host of Carnivorous with new videos debuting in February. The travelogue show follows Courtney across the country as she tries brisket in Dallas, sausage in Chicago, and even goat meatballs in Vermont. New videos will bring her to Denver, San Francisco, and Atlanta.

Dan Churchill, brand ambassador and chef for Under Armour, who will be cooking for Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn during the Winter Games, will shoot new content for his series Feast with Friends. Based in New York City, Feast with Friends follows Dan as he teaches his friends how to pick the freshest ingredients from the right places, and make everything from vegan ice cream to a pork shoulder entrée. New videos will be available in spring 2018.

Famous Food Truck returns with a fresh slate of celebrity guests who will be cooking up a storm and doling out dishes to fans. In the special premiere, social media influencer and Dancing with the Stars contestant Hayes Grier boarded the food truck and made his special take on a Korean-inspired egg sandwich. New videos will be available in April.

From the royal wedding to out-of-this-world movie franchises, Pop Culture Baking Class will expand from short form recipe videos to 12-15 minute videos that give viewers a larger view of their favorite pop culture phenoms and edible entertainment. New videos will debut in March.

The new content will be available via the Genius Kitchen mobile app for iOS and Android, as well as Android, Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube, and the Roku® platform, among others.

 

New Center Road Food City Set to Open

ABINGDON, VA (Thursday, January 25, 2018) – Shelves are stocked in preparation for the much anticipated January 31st opening of the new Food City in Sevier County.  The 48,500+ square foot supermarket, located at the intersection of Newport Highway and New Center Road is the company’s sixth location in the area.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to add a new state-of-the-art Food City in Sevier County, where we currently operate five other area locations,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.  “We are proud to have been a part of the Sevier County retail community for more than three decades and we greatly appreciate the support our loyal customers have shown our company.”

The location includes an in-store bakery/deli, complete with a hot food bar, large café seating area, pizzeria and fresh food bar featuring a wide variety of soup, wings, salad and fruit selections.  Full service meat and seafood departments offer pre-marinated and seasoned oven ready products, plus a complete selection of top quality meats that are all-natural with no solutions added, including Certified Angus Beef.  In-house meat cutters hand cut steaks and fresh meat to order.  Expanded grocery, frozen food and produce departments go well beyond the normal fare with a huge selection of gourmet, international and specialty items.  The Food City Floral Boutique is staffed with a designer seven days per week, offering a full assortment of fresh-cut floral arrangements, bouquets, gift items and more.  Rapid checkout service is provided by seven traditional check-out lanes and four self-check-outs.  For added convenience, Food City is proud to continue its relationship with Citizen’s National Bank, who will offer an in-store branch banking option, Food City Pharmacy, equipped with a convenient drive-thru and a Food City Gas N’ Go, featuring a large five pump station, including diesel fuel.  The new location also features several award winning energy saving concepts, ranging from energy efficient glass cooler doors, parking lot lights and refrigeration systems to motion sensors and 100% LED lighting, as well as an open rafter ceiling design. 

“Our customers will find the same exceptional customer service, top quality products and competitive pricing they have come to expect from Food City, housed in a more energy efficient model, along with some exciting new features and conveniences,” says Food City district manager, Steve Trout.

The store also offers the added convenience of GoCart curbside pick-up.  Customers can select their purchases on-line at foodcity.com and their order will be filled by a professional shopper and loaded into their vehicle when they arrive at the store.  Payment can be made on-line or by credit or debit card at the time of pick-up.  Food City Home Delivery (powered by Instacart) is also available.  To take advantage of this great, new time saving initiative, simply visit their website at  foodcitydelivers.com or download the Instacart App.  
 

Belleza Salon and Spa Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

25 Years of Making Knoxville Beautiful

 Knoxville, Tennessee, January 29, 2018 – February 1, 2018 marks the 25th anniversary for Belleza Salon and Spa, one of the largest A-class salon and spas in the Knoxville area. 

 About Belleza

 Regina Zaouk founded Belleza Salon and Spa in 1993, with two stylists and the desire to create a team of salon and spa professionals that was dedicated to self-development, career growth and enrichment of the community. Her dream was of a salon that not only had the latest in cutting edge, high-end services and treatments, but that also had an inviting, friendly atmosphere where anyone could relax.

 Today, Belleza employees over 70 salon and spa professionals, and has two locations in Knoxville area. Our main location, Belleza Salon and Spa, is at 6209 Kingston Pike, in the Bearden area, and our newest location, Belleza Salon, Spa & Men, is located at 11467 Parkside Drive at Turkey Creek.

 Our Vision: Style. Service. Sophistication.

 At Belleza, we hold ourselves to the highest possible standards so that you can achieve your true beauty potential. Our elite stylists and expert spa technicians are internationally educated and dedicated to providing you with exclusive, individualized service in a welcoming atmosphere. Take some time to relax in luxury while our staff takes care of you.

 Belleza will kick off its anniversary celebration the first weekend in February (Thursday, February 1 – Saturday, February 3, 2018) with special incentives that includes 25% off services and products, as well as a special spa gift card offer: (buy a $100 spa gift card, get a $25 spa gift card free).

Student startup Grow Bioplastics awarded national grant

Grow Bioplastics, a student startup, has received a $225,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. The award will fund research and development work on lignin-biomass-based biodegradable plastics for agricultural applications, specifically plastic mulches.

Grow Bioplastics’ team, led by co-founders Tony Bova and Jeff Beegle, will use the SBIR funding to create new biodegradable plastics from lignin, a waste product of the paper and biofuel industries. Bova is an energy science and engineering PhD candidate in UT’s Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education. Beegle, a recent graduate with a master’s degree in microbiology, also completed his studies in the Bredesen Center.

The company’s biodegradable product offers an alternative to plastic mulch films used by farmers nationwide. Current nondegradable plastics must be removed at the end of each growing season and cannot be recycled. Grow Bioplastics’ biodegradable film can be plowed into the soil after each use, offering a solution to the additional labor costs and environmental impact of current films.

“Being selected for this competitive award from the NSF is a huge step for our company,” said Bova, who serves as CEO. “This funding will help us validate the fundamental science behind our lignin-based plastic technology, allow us to hire our first employees here in East Tennessee, and bring us one step closer to realizing our vision for a socially and environmentally driven business model to support a circular economy.”

Bova and Beegle began Grow Bioplastics’ journey at UT when they pitched the business idea at Vol Court, a speaker series and pitch competition hosted by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in UT’s Haslam College of Business.

“Working with the Anderson Center was the bridge between the science world and the business world,” said Beegle. “Tony and I were able to take an idea that originated from the lab and cultivate it into a business, with the help of the Anderson Center.”

The team’s Vol Court win was followed by seed funding from the Anderson Center’s Boyd Venture Challenge. The company went on to receive funding through several local, state, and national pitch competitions.

“It’s been remarkable to see Grow Bioplastics progress from concept stage to this incredible milestone,” said Lynn Youngs, executive director of the Anderson Center. “This is the type of success we hope to see when we work with student startups.”