February 2026: Strolling Through Downtown Powell: A Local Guide

There’s just something about a small town—and the walkability of it, isn’t there? Back in December, we took you to downtown Sevierville, the gateway to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and all they have to offer. These quaint towns, rich with history here in the Knoxville area, are always worth mentioning—and worth adding to your list of places to visit when you’re in town. Or, if you’re local and looking for something new to do, put Powell on your list.

If you recall, we’ve already visited a few spots in Powell (NikNaks, Velocity, and Coffee & Chocolate all have locations there), but this time our focus is on the walkability of downtown Powell.

Powell itself is very spread out—you can shop at Walmart and Target, choose between two Krogers, and find plenty of things to do. But downtown Powell is where you’ll find the high school and middle school, doctors’ offices, a wonderful community thrift store, and our three stops for the month: Southern Kitchen, Lifehouse Coffee, and Jodi B’s Bakery—all within walking distance.

Before we get too far into this month’s adventures, we should also mention that Powell is home to one of the original Weigel’s dairies, located in one of Knoxville’s most well-known neighborhoods, Broadacres. While they don’t offer tours, you can certainly drive—or walk—by the facility.

Now, on to our February adventures!

First up was lunch at Southern Kitchen, located at 2307 W. Emory Road in Powell. It definitely lived up to its name, with classic Southern sandwiches on the menu like the BLT and the Club, along with standby favorites such as the Reuben (which we sampled). What really makes Southern Kitchen stand out, though, is that everything is made on homemade bread. Your sandwich comes with a side of house-made potato salad or macaroni salad, though you can opt for chips and a drink if you prefer. We recommend going full Southern here—sweet tea and potato salad all the way.

After lunch, we strolled over to Lifehouse Coffee, located at 7545 Brickyard Road in Powell, for a hot pick-me-up. It’s been cold here in East Tennessee, and we needed a cozy spot to warm up. Lifehouse Coffee has been sitting on the corner of Brickyard Road and Emory Road for a decade and is a true staple of the community. They offer a rotating seasonal drink menu, some of the best avocado toast around, and a large community room perfect for gatherings—or just relaxing with your drink and a good book. We tried the “Chai Love You” latte with oat milk, and it was the perfect blend of chai and espresso. We highly recommend stopping in for one of their signature drinks and soaking in the welcoming atmosphere.

After our coffee break, we crossed the road to Community Chest, located at 2107 W. Emory Road, and did a little thrifting. This shop does so much for the community, and most items are just $1. There’s no tax (it’s included in the price), but it is cash only—so be sure to come prepared. We highlight it here because of how much they do for the community and thought it worth noting!

From there, we made our way to Joli B’s Bakery, located at 2109 W. Emory Road, a stop we’ve been wanting to make for quite some time. They’ve been open since April of 2025, and the shop is absolutely adorable—decked out in soft pastel colors, right down to the stand mixers. If you’re looking for a completely handmade sweet treat (no boxed mixes here), this is the place. Be sure to get there early, though, because they often sell out of fan favorites.

There were still plenty of goodies to choose from during our visit, so we grabbed some brownie bites made from the trimmed edges of their brownies and topped with homemade icing. They were the perfect little treat. We may have bought both the brownie and blondie versions—and may have eaten both that night for dessert. No regrets. You truly can’t go wrong with anything from Joli B’s Bakery. Jennifer, the proprietor, was on hand when we visited, and she was just as delightful as her sweet creations.

There you have it, friends. If you’re in the area and looking for another walkable downtown filled with local gems, Powell is the place. There’s so much more we could share, but you’ll just have to stop by and experience it for yourself. Visiting soon? Start your downtown Powell visit by strolling along Emory Road and when you get hungry, pull up a seat at any of the places we mentioned. Send us a message or tag us on Instagram @destinationtnvalley! We’re always on the hunt for new spots to feature in our Tennessee Valley Guide series.

About the Author:

Kristin is the creative behind Chicken Librarian where she shares real-life stories, seasonal living inspiration, and her love for all things local. A freelance blogger and storyteller, she’s been chronicling her journey since 2017 at chickenlibrarian.com. Through her writing, Kristin celebrates slower living, community, and the simple beauty found in everyday moments — from small-town bakeries to life on her own farmstead.