Updated: 9/8/2009 7:04:45 PM
For more than a year, hundreds of workers have been restoring the old S&W Cafeteria on Gay street.
"Everything I've seen is perfect," says Von Garrett.
He appreciates their efforts and craftsmanship perhaps more than anyone. In 1936, Von Garrett stood in their shoes.
As a carpenter, he helped carve most of the woodwork that has been replicated over the last year.
Then, he was just 19 years old. Now 72 years later, after hearing the S&W had been saved and was being restored to restaurant he so loved, Garrett called developer Tim Hill with 500 block LLC, the group heading up the restoration.
"He said, 'I've got some things from the S & W that might be of interest to you,'" says Hill.
Thanks to the original architectural drawings, personal memories, and old photographs, the developers have been able to create a mirror image of the restaurant.
Finding Mr. Garrett was like finding a missing piece of the puzzle. You see, only a few features are original to the S&W: the crown molding, ceiling medallions, and floor.
Mr. Garrett surprised them with one more.
"This is leaf molding. It's some of the original molding from the 1930s that they had left over," says Hill. "Mr. Garrett had stored it for 72 years in his basement."
For Garrett, being in the building again brings back many memories.
"It was our favorite place uptown," says Garrett. "They'd line up out to the end of the street for a meal."
He just wishes he could pick up tools and help restore the beauty himself.
"Mr. Garrett is a true treasure for Knoxville, and we were so glad that he made the call," says Hill. "It's just overwhelming positively. We can't wait to get the doors open."
And neither can Garrett.
"I'll be glad to be back. I look forward to eating here."
The S&W Grand is slated to open mid October. Right now, construction on the $4 million dollar plus renovation is on target. When complete, it will offer the community 14,000 square feet of dining space, including banquet and special event areas on the second and third floor.
