Thursday, May 29, 2008

Bar Denim Blues

Perhaps you've notice a sexy new strip mall on Kingston Pike in Bearden. This would be "Cherokee Plaza at The District of Bearden." I am not making this up; that's the official name.

It's an effort not to call a spade a spade. Who wants to shop at a mucky old strip mall when you can have a plaza? A crisp, clean, fresh plaza with cupcakes! And blue jeans!

I'll admit, I hate strip malls and malls in general; and I avoid them as often as I can. This plaza, however, is rather easy on the eyes. And just looking at it, I dont feel nearly so creepy or wasteful as I might normally. Let's call this Western Plaza 2.0. Cleaner, happier, more productive...

I digress.

Lord I love me some expensive blue jeans. Call it a character flaw, but I just do. I cant get enough Sevens or Citizens. I just feel good in them.


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Enter Bar Denim Blues, at 5508 Kingston Pike No. 130, Knoxville 37919, happily situated in the heart of Cherokee Plaza next to Kristi (new location) and the Cupcakery, a soon-to-open haven of deliciousness with roots in St. Louis, MO.

Bar Denim Blues is a jeans junkie's dream-come-true. I stopped in last Saturday with my girlfriend Jess. We had spent the early afternoon strawberry picking in Madisonville and were severely under-dressed for this shopping experience. But we wanted to see all the jeans! And jeans we saw! Hundreds of them! Brands galore!

We didnt stay long, but we were offered champagne. Had I been interested in trying on some jeans, I would have had a glass. Ladies, I'm sure you'll agree: you've got to feel hot when trying on jeans, and the post strawberry field dirtiness wasn't doing it for me. Believe me, though, I will go back. And jeans I will try on.

I didn't take the time to do my research, so I didnt ask the official price point or list of brands, but by glancing at some tags I know enough to say that we're in the 200 dollar range. Which is high, I admit, for a lot of people. But if you like you some good, fancy jeans (and I know a lot of women and men out there do), you're going to love Bar Denim Blues. I think it's the sort of store Knoxville was looking for.

And that's how you write a post that's not about downtown. (Who gets THIS reference?!).

14 comments:

The Modern Gal said...

I'm so pumped about the Cupcakery. I can walk there from my house which completely negates the calories that come with the cupcake, right?

I'm not much into $200 pairs of jeans, but the bubbly-whilst-you-shop sounds lovely.

Mickey said...

$200 is high for a lot of people? Um, yeah.

And champagne while shopping for jeans? I think jeans are more of a beer-drinking pant, but maybe that's me.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Mickey. You have so much to learn about jeans...

And the sad thing is that 200 dollars is not so high for a lot of people. I am not one of those people, but there's a big market for fancy jeans...

Amelia said...

Aside from the $200 jeans, I'm still in shock someone in Knoxville has heard of Madisonville. Where are there strawberries to pick in Madville??

Anonymous said...

Am I the only person who has been in this store?!?!?
The selection was horrible, the set up of the store extremely awkward, and the lines that they carry well.....
I was not very impressed

Anonymous said...

There is a new store that has designer jeans in the Old City- CLOTH. Hours are Tuesday- Sat 2-8. The jeans are cool, not as big of a selection but the prices are under retail- around $100 each. AND they have some really tight labels plus Ed Hardy T shirts and Juicy Couture for girls. They have some really cool guys jeans. I don't like paying $200 for my jeans, go there and get them for half!

Anonymous said...

Actually the jeans start out at $89 and go up from there. The lay out is a bar hence the name.....they also serve beer and wine not just champagne. Cloth is never opened, you could stop by at 2pm on a Wednesday and they are closed....not very good for buying jeans

Anonymous said...

It's good to know the prince range. Thanks, anonymous. I have never been to Cloth. Have wanted to go, but as the 2nd anonymous points out, it's been closed every time I've tried.

All I know is that 2 of my girlfriends were wearing a brand they got at Bar Denim Blues (vintage, i think?) and they both looked HOT in those jeans. Hot enough to make me want some. Boot Camp + Great Jeans = hot legs.

Anonymous said...

I've been to the store... i thought it was great! The girls were so helpful, and they definently offered me a beer. Though the layout is sort of overwhelming at first, once you get the hang of how it works, its easy. I ended up buying 2 pairs, and one was only around $90. Overall, i had a great experience.

Anonymous said...

I sure love me some cupcakes and designer jeans. They both, along with Bearden in general, make me think: CHEROKEE PEOPLE. That's why I'm askin: If you're Cherokee do you get a discount at the Cherokee Plaza? Or do we get exploited for free as usual? Love yer writing, honey, it ain't your fault.

Anonymous said...

I dropped in the new jeans store today, ignorant of the concept. I do not usually spend very much for jeans, but I was willing to if the perfect pair was there. Whoever greeted me, I have to assume it was one of the owners, clued me into the concept, and proceeded to ask me what kind of jeans I usually wear. I laughed and stated that she probably doesn't want to hear what brands I usually buy. From there on out, she was happy to ignore me. I was not even offered a drink, after she explained to me that customers were given a complimentary drink while shopping. I tried on several pairs (the sales girl was very nice and helpful), but just had a bad taste in my mouth, and resolved not to do spend my money there. Unfortunate, hum? Wonder how long they'll stay in business in Knoxville if they demean their customers...

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear that, mrsfawver. Bad service will ruin any shopping experience. I just bought a pair of jeans at Obligato (also high end), and the service was terrible there, too. Didnt even get a hello when I walked in the door. But they carry a brand I like that no one else around here has. Mary, located in Western Plaza, has GREAT jeans and the girls there are always very friendly and helpful (I hope I didnt just jinx that...haha).

While we're talking along lines of service...

Just today I attempted to check out Cloth in the Old City. 5:30 on a Friday. CLOSED again, for the millionth time I've tried...

Anonymous said...

I am a clothes fanatic, especially jeans. I can't wait to try Bar Denim. If they are the perfect jeans they are worth the $200.00. And I totally agree that the sales people at Obligato are rude. They don't even have a good selection. I have experienced this first hand and have heard it from others as well.

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