Blackbird Coffeehouse, Knoxville’s newest coffee shop, opened yesterday at it’s location on 1208 Kenesaw Avenue in Sequoyah Hills.

The focus of Blackbird is both the quality of coffee, and providing a comfortable place to relax said co-owner Ali Johnston, who has been an occasional employee of coffee shops since she was 16 years old.

“I tried to do other things, but always kept doing this instead,” said Ali.

Blackbird has been a work-in-progress for at least a year, said Ali and co-owner and husband Craig Johnston. The couple moved to Knoxville from Nashville where they attended the School of Audio Engineering.

Ali and Craig had originally intended to start a business where kids could come to record and perform music. Despite starting a coffee shop instead, the couple continues to take an active interest in the recording industry.

But their coffee shop is dedicated to something more sentimental.

The Johnston’s started Blackbird Coffeehouse in part because of their dog Skippy, who passed away nearly a year ago. His photo adorns the refrigerator behind the front counter.

“He survived every possible thing a dog could go through,” said Ali. “After he died, it was like our focus shifted. It put a lot of things in perspective for me.”

Skippy’s death also had an impact on her husband.

“I think I came home from work one day, and said ‘Let’s open a coffeehouse’,” said Craig.

Blackbird Coffeehouse serves coffee (and beans) from Mattie’s Mountain Mud Coffee, a roaster from New Castle, Va. who used to roast for Mill Mountain Coffee out of Roanoke, Va.

Author’s review

Location: I love the fact that this shop is nestled back in a quiet neighborhood. And it’s much closer for West Knoxvillians than downtown coffee shops The Golden Roast and Old City Java, among others.

Ambiance: The interior is small, but cozy. There are three tables (two inside and one outside) and a couch. The music choices are a mix of indie rock and alt country. I’m sure they’d be open to requests.

Blackbird Coffeehouse also offers free wireless Internet access for customers.

Coffee: I tried the house blend called Blackbird House Blend, and found it very tasty. The shop currently serves this option in addition to an Italian (Appalachian Smoke) and decaf (Shade Tree).

They make all of the usual mixed drinks such as lattes, and sell whole beans from Mattie’s Mountain Mud Coffee in half pound and pound bags.

Food: Blackbird Coffeehouse serves a variety of food including: cupcakes from Cities Cupcakes, bagels from Hot Bagel in Oakridge, muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls and breakfast sandwiches. They also serve several lunch sandwiches.

Photography by tonx

It comes as no surprise that we’re in the middle of the Dog Days of summer. Knoxville flirted with high temperatures yesterday to the tune of 90+ degrees.

We’re also in the midst of prime vacation season. Even Brandon clocked-out to visit the North Carolina mountainside for a few days of R&R.

What’s your favorite vacation destination to escape “the couch” Knoxville?

Photography by alumroot

Yesterday, July 16th, Knoxify hit a new milestone: 104 RSS subscribers!

When we launched this blog in December of ‘06 we never expected such a warm welcome from the Knoxville community. So, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

The entire Knoxville blogosphere will continue to grow with great readers like you. Now go treat yourself to some ice cream.

In case you forgot what RSS means, read this.

I recently changed the background color of the comment form to better match the rest of the site. Mission accomplished.

What I didn’t know is that I made comment text the same color as the background. Fail.

So, you should now be able to comment on Knoxify without wondering if you’re going insane. Leave that to me, Casey. Sorry for the trouble everyone.

Photography by striatic

More than 40 children call Rancho 3m Christian Orphanage and School home. I spent the first week of July with the children at staff at Rancho 3m along with a group from my church. Located near Juarez, Mexico, most kids have come to the Ranch because of abandonment, sexual abuse, or imprisoned parents. By gazing at their faces you would never knox the deep pain and trauma that the children have endured at the hands of those who are suppose to love them most. Our week consisted of construction projects around the property, eye exams and Bible school for the kids along with good old fashion play time thrown in. We did our best to love on these kids and help the staff take care of them better.

I assume that most people return from mission or service trips with a sense of accomplishment about all the good that they have done in the world. However, for the second year in a row, I returned seeing all that is wrong with the world and rededicated myself to do all that I can to change it. The issues of orphaned children, sexual abuse and all other variety of social ills are not confined to Northern Mexico; they can be found under our noses here in Knoxville. I work for a non-profit service agency and I see many of these issues every day. I’d like to know what ways Knoxify.com readers are involved in making Knoxville a better place for everyone who lives here. What agencies are doing good work that we should all know about? What social issues need to be addressed?

If you need ideas on how to get involved in local community service check out Love Knoxville which exists to connect everyday Knoxvillians to service opportunities around town or the Compassion Coalition which connects local church congregations with agencies that are attempting to reduce suffering and injustice in our community. Both of these agencies are faith-based, as are my convictions about service, but I think that all people have a responsibility to improve the communities that we live in for all people. So, how can you love Knoxville?

Photography by Osvaldo_Zoom