Kern’s Bakery Finds New Life as Kern’s Food Hall

Once a celebrated south Knoxville landmark, the Kern’s bakery had fallen into disrepair after nearly a decade of disuse. The company, founded in 1864 by German immigrant Peter Kern, had a rich history inextricably tied to its home city of Knoxville, occupying various locations in the city over the last century. Its Chapman Highway location—opened in 1931 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017—was discontinued in 2012 by parent company Sara Lee.

Though unused and empty, the art deco-style building was beloved by locals and businesspeople alike, and while many developers pitched plans to revitalize the structure over the years, none came to fruition. However, that changed when entrepreneur Alex Dominguez was approached in 2019 with the opportunity to act as lead developer in reviving the property.

Understanding the city's emotional attachment to the Kern’s building, Dominguez worked out a business plan that preserved its storied history while encouraging economic and community growth in South Knoxville: turning the structure into a comprehensive food hall and retail experience aided at every turn by KaTom Restaurant Supply.

Keeping customer dollars in South Knoxville was key to Dominguez's plan. The area's lack of commercial attractions was sending potential customers to other parts of the city, something Dominguez wanted to rectify:

"I felt like if I dropped this in the middle [of South Knoxville], people don’t have to travel as far to get some great food," he explained.

After working with Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Truett Cathy early in his career, Dominguez was led to City of Refuge—a faith-based nonprofit in Atlanta that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis. He was intrigued by the organization and its concept of consolidating numerous resources, programs, and services in a single location. Developing a passion for philanthropic work, Dominguez focused on working with socio-economically disadvantaged communities. His time with City of Refuge honed his ability to identify a location's potential and enact positive change.

Immediately recognizing the building's immense potential, Dominguez immediately set to work bringing his vision for Kern's Bakery to life.

Kern’s Food Hall Bring a New Experience to Knoxville

Seeking to avoid the feel of a mall food court, Dominguez wanted mom-and-pop tenants with a passion for their craft to inhabit the location, believing the combination of quality food and beautiful surroundings would create an unforgettable experience.

"When you add the environment of an authentic hundred-year-old bakery, all of a sudden, you have a real special place to enjoy your food that’s being made,” Dominguez said. “And fortunately for us, we have a very authentic curation of tenants that have ended up here and are all very passionate about what their food is."

From the start, he wanted Kern’s to be the kind of place where many things coexisted so guests could have everything in one space.

"Kerns is the reverse of the mall," Dominguez said. "The food is why you come. You don't go to shop at Macy's; you come to shop for the food, and then that benefits the retail tenants. So all the retail tenants that we have added to this concept lets people say, 'Oh, I'm here, I'm going to go get my nails done, and I have a meeting afterwards, and we're going to do lunch, and we're going to go work out, and then I'm going to stay for that game day event that they're doing on the big screen, and I'm meeting my girlfriend for a beer before I go home.'"

KaTom Helps Kern’s Through Obstacles

Flagship Kern’s apartments and a parking structure were built nearby as the bakery began renovations. The process wasn’t easy, but Dominguez pivoted and adapted when necessary. All progress paused when COVID hit, but during the break, Dominguez had the idea to add outdoor spaces to the concept. He also built various retail shops, including a nail salon, flower shop, and gym, along with a hidden speakeasy accessible by a secret code. Future plans include a dog park and dog groomer, as well as a trailhead and mural walk. Student housing and a hotel on the property are possibilities as well.

Along the way, Dominguez looked to KaTom to ease the arduous processes of planning, designing, and renovating. Through early delays, COVID shutdowns, pandemic-related supply chain issues, and the standard obstacles that inevitably accompany a project of this size, KaTom stood by as a reliable resource for Dominguez and his team.

"I had meetings with everybody early on," Dominguez said. "I was taken by the culture of the company; it reminded me a lot of Chick-fil-A. So obviously, there is a connection there to what I saw and the way that people were treated that I had seen before, so it was more than just a business transaction for me; it was more of a relationship."

KaTom understood Dominguez’s vision, believing in the project and the positive impact it could have on Knoxville. In addition to offering the most competitive pricing on equipment and supplies, KaTom also provided full design service, providing extra help for the tenants. Harrison Genseal, part of the outside sales team at KaTom, took point on the project, furthering the relationship between the two parties and paving the way for a smooth opening day.

"You really want to be with a trusted friend," Dominguez said of KaTom’s involvement. "I did not have to worry, because there was a lot of trust that was there, and it still is...it's what we all ought to be doing as a community, right? We ought to be helping each other."

A Bright Future Ahead

Since opening, Kern's Food Hall has been humming with guests. Even with several yet-to-open tenants and future plans for added features, the establishment's numerous eateries, retail shops, bars, outdoor spaces, and events have drawn visitors from all around.

"The future looks really good," Dominguez said. "Everything has gone really well. I think the people in Knoxville have been patient with us, but we've got enough of a lineup now to make for a very, very good experience. And then what's yet to come is beyond anything I ever dreamed of."