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Business

Parlor goes big with doughnuts

March 4, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

Parlor Doughnuts, 106 Biddle Farms Blvd., continues to wow Farragut customers.

What sets the business apart? “The doughnut itself,” franchisee Saad Ahmed answered. “The doughnut is a light, airy, flaky doughnut. It’s not like a traditional cake doughnut. The doughnuts are a lot larger in size.

“Most people have a ‘wow’ factor when they look at our doughnuts,” he said. “We have 24 flavors, which is also a lot more than your regular doughnut shop.”

The best-selling doughnut nationwide, through the whole brand, is the French toast, according to Ahmed.

“Then, my personal favorite is strawberry shortcake,” he said.

Other sweet offerings are maple bacon, sandy beach, carnival, honey glazed, chocolate chocolate, campfire, peanut butter cup, among many others.

For those looking for something different, Parlor released a new line of savory layered doughnuts last month to satisfy those cravings.

“That is something you don’t expect at a doughnut shop for sure,” he said.

Customers can choose from margherita, OG pepperoni, pig & fig, chicken bacon ranch, buffalo chicken and Hawaiian BBQ chicken, as well as parmesan minis and a savory combo.

“With the style of doughnut we have — light, airy and flaky — savory doughnuts fit so well it,” Ahmed said. “In fact, even before savory doughnuts was an idea for the brand, I thought that in my head a long time ago, so the brand did what everyone was thinking.

“And, we’re going to be rolling out other seasonal options on that in the future,” he said. “Now, it gives our customers a real lunch option.”

New Farragut branch for Fifth Third Bank

March 4, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

The former Turner Homes building in front of Village Green shopping center has new owners, as Fifth Third Bank recently acquired the building as a Farragut branch.

“We’re thrilled to open a new Fifth Third branch in Farragut,” said Brian O’Meara, vice president and regional marketing manager for Fifth Third Bank, adding the branch is expected to open in August.

Turner Homes recently moved to larger space, opening up its building, previously a bank, at 11820 Kingston Pike, in front of Village Green, to new possibilities.

The building already has been in the banking business, although it got its start as a grocery store.

“It was built in 1978, as a White Store,” said Jerry Bodie, executive vice president of White Realty & Service Corporation, which manages the Village Green property.

Then, in the 1970s, it became Regions Bank before it was transferred to Park National Bank in the early 1980s, according to Bodie.

There were several banks that came and went before Turner Homes moved in.

“Our recent Turkey Creek and Chapman branch openings in Knoxville showed how our modern design focuses on welcoming spaces and real conversations with customers — something we’re excited to bring to Farragut.”

Tennova Turkey Creek invests $3 million in Emergency Department expansion

March 4, 2026 by Staff Reports

Tennova Healthcare’s Turkey Creek Medical Center is expanding its emergency department with an investment of $3 million, adding an additional eight rooms with full trauma care capabilities within a more than 3,000-square-foot expansion.

The project will increase total emergency room capacity to 20 rooms, according Grant Farrimond, Tennova marketing director.

“With construction under way, the expanded space is scheduled to open mid-year to serve patients needing emergency care,” he said.

In 2025 alone, “Turkey Creek Medical Center provided emergency care for more than 22,000 patients, with more than 1,500 of those metro Knoxville area residents requiring specialized trauma care,” Farrimond added.

Tennova Healthcare CEO Tony Benton said this expansion will increase greatly the medical center’s ability to efficiently help those needing immediate emergent care.

“As our Level III Trauma program continues to expand, this much needed project will provide the space to accommodate the growing needs of our patient population and medical professionals,“ Benton said. “The quality and safety of our patients, visitors, employees and physicians are our top priority throughout this work.

“Our ED team, from physicians to clinicians and support staff, is always focused on timely care with keen attention to low wait times and making the patient experience seamless from check in to treatment,” he said.