Altar'd State is set to open a new location in the Kress Building at 419 S. Gay St. in downtown Knoxville, bringing the Knoxville-based clothing retailer back to its hometown's main commercial strip. The building most recently held Frothy Monkey, the coffee shop and cafe that served its last cup there in May 2025.
According to The Daily Beacon, the Kress Building sale was finalized on September 17, with ASR Kress LLC — a company registered to Altar'd State CEO Aaron Walters — paying $6 million for the property. The Daily Beacon's report does not establish an opening date, square footage, hours or staffing plans for the new store, and Altar'd State itself is based in Knoxville.
Frothy Monkey's departure from the building came after nearly three years in business. The cafe said at the time that it was closing because the building's owner had decided to sell, a decision WATE 6 On Your Side reported left the cafe with no choice but to shut its doors. The Gay Street space also had a brief detour through restaurant speculation before Altar'd State entered the picture.
A Steakhouse That Never Materialized
Earlier this year, the former Frothy Monkey address was tied to a proposed steakhouse concept. As of February, that project's future had not been announced, according to Inside of Knoxville. Kennedy Concepts, the group behind the idea, told the outlet at the time that it was not pursuing those plans, leaving the storefront's next chapter unresolved until the Kress Building sale closed in September.
For University of Tennessee students, the prospect of a downtown Altar'd State lands as welcome news. Isla Burns, a freshman studying political science, said she's excited that the new store will be walkable compared to West Town Mall, and added that Altar'd State offers a variety of clothing, including workout sets and formal dresses. Burns also said many downtown boutiques mainly offer Tennessee-themed orange merchandise rather than clothes students would actually wear.
Students Say Downtown Needs More Everyday Options
Annabelle Ellis, a junior marketing major, said Altar'd State's style fits fashion trends she sees around UT's campus and that the store would give her another place to shop. Milana Bagirov, a sophomore studying pre-law who currently shops downtown at stores including Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville, said Market Square has few clothing retailers beyond those two names. Bagirov said she would like to see more stores offering everyday clothing rather than merchandise or souvenir shops, and said downtown shopping options are currently limited.
Sloane Phillips, a freshman studying English, said downtown could benefit from more commercial retailers to attract student shoppers. The sentiment reflects a broader view among students that downtown Knoxville is a shopping area where they're seeking greater retail variety. A planned Altar'd State location would bring more clothing retailers within walking distance of UT's campus and could reduce students' need to travel elsewhere to shop.
Downtown's Existing Retail Mix
Downtown Knoxville's shopping scene already includes a mix of bookstores, boutiques and gift shops, according to Downtown Knoxville's own shopping guide, which lists two dozen local shops in the city center. That roster includes Bliss & Tori Mason Shoes, described as one of the largest locally owned clothing and gift shops in the city, along with William & Wylie, known for tailored clothing alongside denim, chinos and seasonal ties, and Mast General Store, which spreads local wear, camping gear and gourmet goods across two floors.
Downtown Knoxville's own materials also point to the University of Tennessee's roughly 28,000 students, located less than a mile from downtown, as a built-in customer base for retailers considering the area. The organization has noted that downtown's restaurant and retail revenue saw double-digit growth at one point, per Tennessee Department of Revenue figures, though current post-2018 revenue totals were not available. Whether Altar'd State's arrival changes the calculus for that walk from campus to Gay Street remains to be seen, but for students tired of orange souvenir racks, it's a start.
