Rocky Top Market Crawl draws crowds
A shopper checks out at the Coal Creek General Store in Rocky Top on Saturday during the Rocky Top Christmas Market Crawl event downtown. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Business was brisk throughout the downtown stores.
At South Main Furniture and Mercantile, worker Christa Coday said, “It’s been crazy here. At one point, we had 35 to 40 people in line.
“The town is just packed,” she added. “I love it.”
Maria Hooks, owner of the store and former director of the Rocky Top Chamber of Commerce, said the Market Crawl event had “everything for holiday shoppers,” such as “unique home decor finds and locally crafted items, to delicious food and specialty coffees.”
Businesses also taking part in the event included the Coal Creek Miners Museum; In Its Time Antiques; Coal Creek General Store; Thrifty Treasures antiques and home décor; Coal Creek Coffee; and Lings Cafe, which opened recently next to Coal Creek Coffee.
There were also outside vendors who set up tents and tables in the parking lot between South Main Furniture & Mercantile and Truest Bank.
Santa Claus showed up to visit with children inside some of the stores, and visitors were given a treat at each business they visited.
At Thrifty Treasures, owner Sandy Smith said around noon that “We’ve had a steady stream of people. It’s been going well.”