(WBIR) - Internal Revenue Service agents executed unspecified search warrants Monday afternoon at two Knoxville businesses and a home.
The businesses were identified as Marc Nelson Denim, Depot Avenue and Randolph Street, and the Lonsdale Market and Deli, 3208 Rudy St.
IRS spokesman Dennis Holenstein confirmed the business warrants as well as a residence on McCalla Avenue. But he was unable to offer much information. Federal authorities were working with the Knoxville Police Department.
Agents arrived about 1:30 p.m. at Marc Nelson Denim, recognized this spring at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce's annual Pinnacle Awards, at East Depot Avenue and Randolph Street.
Workers at Riot Printing, a separate nearby business, said they were told by authorities to stay in place.
In May, proprietor Marcus Hall was awarded the Minority-Owned Business Excellence Award as part of the annual Pinnacle Awards. The award recognizes business owners that are at least 51 percent owned by an ethnic minority and have reached "notable growth."
Efforts to reach Hall were unsuccessful Monday.
County records show the market is owned by Triple M Property Management Inc.
According to the chamber, Hall founded Marc Nelson Denim in 2011. It's a designer clothing and lifestyle brand that specializes in producing small-batch, limited designs. The firm introduced a women's line in 2013.
According to a chamber biography, Hall planned to expand the brand "beyond 25 specialty stores located throughout the Southeast, to several chain and department stores."
Marc Nelson Denim had inked a deal to sell Rocky Top, Tenn., merchandise. The town of Lake City in Anderson County recently changed its name to Rocky Top as developers pursued plans for a theme park there to be called Rocky Top.
Some Rocky Top entrepreneurs are embroiled in a federal trademark lawsuit with House of Bryant, which owns the rights to the song "Rocky Top".
