Shopping in Maryville

Under the leadership of owner JoAnn England—a longtime Halls resident, mother of two, and booster for locally owned businesses—Sofas & More’s independent mom-and-pop operation has enlivened the homes of its customers since 1995. As customers peruse the fleet of La-Z-Boy recliners or sofas from Klaussner, friendly staff members guide them through home-decor decisions with a friendly, low-pressure demeanor, unhindered by the need to disassemble their towering couch forts. In addition to equipping living rooms with comfortable sitting spaces and high-end entertainment centers, the spacious showroom fills in dining rooms with designer table sets of solid hardwood and bedrooms with mattresses from Serta and Tempur-Pedic.

Every day, people bring clothes into Planet Xchange, and every day, they turn away almost 1,000 garments, approving an average of only 200 garments a day to ensure their inventory remains fresh and stylish. They carry fashions for men and women, from brands such as Nike, Hollister, and The North Face. Their racks drip with premium denims, tops, pants, and outwear, as well as fashionable accessories and bags from brands such as Michael Kors.

The whole family is welcome at Premiere Eyecare, where optometrist Dr. Brent Fry and staff not only treat eyes but share "a few jokes" in the process. Their services include preventive and family care as well as infection and disorder management. They also prep patients for donning a pair of the boutique's glasses by administering prescription exams. Dr. Fry continually attends professional seminars to make sure he stays abreast of the latest developments in his field. The office’s website features educational resources and can take requests for appointments as well as confirm and change them.

The riders and technicians at Harper's Bike Shop love bicycles, and their love for riding is matched only by the joy they get from helping other cyclists. For 50 years, Harper’s has outfitted riders for the pathways, streets, and mountain trails around Knoxville. The crew helps riders find bikes to suit their riding needs, and perform custom bicycle-fitting services to ensure a great match. In addition, the crew repairs and rebuilds ailing cycles with a complete list of services that includes adjusting brakes, truing wheels, cleaning drivetrains, overhauling suspensions, and kicking some sense into tires.

Like a child going through a growth spurt, Hyderhangout: Quilt Fabric & More has spent its first few years outgrowing its increasingly larger locations. Now situated in the Five Points museum district, the store continues to fill up every available nook and cranny with acres of fabric that range from brightly patterned cottons to flannels and fleeces cozy enough to keep you warm when an ice-fishing partner uses you as bait. Hyderhangout rounds out its selection by snagging vintage fabrics at auctions and estate sales. In addition to acquiring bolts of fabric, quilters can pick up precut swatches or fabric custom cut into precise shapes by an AccuQuilt system, and staffers will happily order quilting notions not found in the store. Needle artists can also find supplies for knitting and crocheting.

For crafters not yet settled on a specific project, Hyderhangout stocks patterns for apparel and kits for quilting projects and purses sturdy enough to hold a stash of gold bullion. Staffers provide even more guidance during classes that focus on both basic quilting techniques and advanced projects such as a quilted batik jacket.

For more than 20 years, the knowledgeable staff members at World Futon have helped pair customers with compact, easily assembled futons crafted from hardwood, metal, and logs. The showroom boasts storable futons and accouterments such as thick-foam mattresses, canvas covers, and unwanted houseguests, and the sleep emporium assists shoppers in erecting newly purchased items with an assembly help page. Bunk beds and bed frames stretch out for fold-free dozing, and solid wood nightstands and dressers teach pet woodpeckers lessons in restraint.