Over the years, the 612 Building has served many purposes, including as a bank, a hearing aid company, and a ticket office for the Southern Railway. | Photo via Google Maps
The Tennessee Theatre’s long-awaited expansion is almost curtain-ready. Work on the 612 Building at 612 S. Gay St. — the property adjacent to the historic theater — is nearing completion, with an official opening set for Friday, March 20.
After two years of construction, the refurbished building will connect directly to the Tennessee Theatre, improving crowd flow and operations while giving audiences more places to linger and experience events beyond the main stage.
Spaces are taking shape inside the 612 Building. | Photos via @tntheatre
Here’s what’s inside the renovated 612 Building:
More public restrooms, including a 50% increase in women’s facilities
A full-service bar on the theater’s balcony level
A donor lounge and bar on the main theater level
A state-of-the-art recording studio on the top floor
Beyond upgraded amenities, the 612 Building expands what the Tennessee Theatre can offer, adding new spaces for theater programming, administrative staff, nonprofit events, and rehearsals for touring Broadway performers. Learn more about the 612 Expansion Project.
Events
Events
Friday, January 30
ChocolateFest | Friday, Jan. 30-Saturday, Jan. 31 | Times vary | The Standard Knoxville | $30+
East Tennessee is under a winter storm watch today, Jan. 30 and tomorrow, Jan. 31. Knoxville has a 40% chance of getting more than 3 inches of snow, and ice isn’t expected this time around. (Knoxville News Sentinel)
Stat
Knox County has used 850 tons of salt to treat local roads since Saturday. Put in perspective, that’s the weight of about 150 elephants. (WATE)
Cause
More than 114,000. As of yesterday morning, that’s how many Tennessee residents remain without power statewide in the wake of last weekend’s winter storm. If you’d like to help monetarily, Mercy Chefs is providing meals to Nashvillians in need.
Kids
Let this slide.Slick City Action Park, the world’s first indoor slide and air court park, is coming to Pigeon Forge in 2026. The entertainment venue will feature 20+ slides, sports courts, jungle gyms, arcade games, and more inside the former TopJump space.
Community
A new exhibit at The Farragut Museum spotlights local artists, actors, and musicians with ties to the city. Check out “Farragut Focus: A Creative Community” through April to learn more about famous folks from Farragut.
Sports
There are no athletes representing Knoxville in Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics. In fact, there are none from Tennessee heading to Northern Italy to compete. You could buck that trend in four years’ time with few lessons at Smoky Mountain Skating Academy. (NBC)
Listen
Will Tennessee’s new-look corners solve depth concerns and restore defensive dominance? Hear from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Read
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
Finance
You’re smart — but your spending can still be dumb. From overpaying when online shopping to sticking with a car insurance plan instead of shopping for a lower rate, here are 11 of the dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
Learn
You don’t have to handle debt by yourself. A debt relief program can help simplify things by rolling multiple balances into one manageable, personalized payment. Explore Money’s top-rated programs and get a free quote today.*
Red pandas at Zoo Knoxville don’t mind a little cold.
Did you know? The zoo recently welcomed a new red panda with three legs: 6-year-old Khyana, who was born at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Visitors can see her now in Boyd Family Red Panda Village.
Fun fact: Over 110 red pandas have been born at Zoo Knoxville since 1977 — more than at any other zoo in the world.
The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun. Discover our favorite gifts for loved ones, perfect for any kind of Valentine:
🧳 Gift them this premium leather toiletry bag that’s top rated for style and function.
đź‘Ł You can never go wrong with a heated foot massager that was designed with insights from real massage therapists.
🌹 Instead of a bouquet that only lasts a week, opt for these forever roses that will stay beautiful for years to come.
🧥 Keep them warm with this 4.6-star rated sherpa-lined flannel that’s both dapper + durable.
⛳ The golf lover in your life will appreciate this accessory case for storing their gloves, balls, tees, and markers.
Stay warm out there this weekend, y’all. And if you take any snowy photos around town, send them my way. I might just include one in an upcoming newsletter.
