It started with a dream.
Seven years ago, James Tomiczek began envisioning a new kind of development in Maryville, one that would create a feeling of community, one that would unite outdoor spaces and indoor ones. One that would feel like home.
Today, that dream is becoming reality, in the form of Greenway Village.
The new development, tucked in between Cates and Tedford streets near downtown, is a pedestrian-friendly area combining offices, residences, eateries and other types of businesses.
“We’re so excited to see it coming to fruition,” said Tomiczek, president of the aptly named Vision Property Services.
His enthusiasm for the property is palpable as he shows visitors around the busy space. As workers climb ladders outdoors and shine up countertops indoors, the community feeling is already evident.
“We’re really happy to be part of this,” said Cody McCoy, owner of the building that houses Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery, plus two AirBnB spaces upstairs. He showed off the gleaming ice cream parlor interior with a contagious smile. One of the AirBnBs has an ice cream parlor theme, complete with pastel colors; both overlook the walkways and courtyard of the “village.”
“We can’t wait,” he added, as workers busied themselves with tidying up the shop.
Marble Slab is near the western end of the development, connected with the broad courtyard. “This will have seating, string lights, a nice water feature,” Tomiczek said of the outdoor space. Though only a few dozen yards from the busy traffic of Lamar Alexander Parkway, it feels secluded and quiet.
That’s part of the “village” aesthetic, which includes cohesive design elements, like the pavers used throughout. It also means variety in buildings, which makes these new constructions feel as if they grew up organically over decades. Older structures, like the historic house that long served as the office campus of Kiser & Black, help connect Greenway Village to the site’s legacy as well. The structure will now house Southern Grace Manor.
There are even mature trees, preserved among the new buildings. “That was very important to me,” Tomiczek said. “I wanted to save as many of those [trees] as possible.”
Right along the storefronts, at the edge of the central parking area, is the paved stretch of the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway, which gives the Village its name. Tomiczek and his team worked with the city of Maryville to ensure that the Greenway could connect here and be preserved. He has granted a stretch of paved walkway to create a new connection at the western end of the village, between the existing Greenway and the northern spur of Cates Street.
This stretch of trail also provides a safer alternative to those continuing towards the Montvale Road stretch. They can cross Lamar Alexander Parkway at the traffic light, rather than the pedestrian crosswalk near Maryville First Baptist Church.
“My wife and I love to walk on the Greenway,” Tomiczek said. “But we often used to say that we wished there were more destinations right on the trail.” Now, bicyclists and pedestrians will be able to visit the Village businesses.
“Stop, have some ice cream: You’ll enjoy the Greenway even more!” Tomiczek laughed.
At the western end, overlooking a new parking area along the highway, The FoxHole Golf Club is already enjoying the new site. While heavy equipment growled outside, scooping out the foundation for a future yoga studio, the vibe inside the club remained cozy and friendly.
“We’re fired up!” said Ryan Click, FoxHole’s owner, echoing the enthusiasm that seems to pervade Greenway Village. “We’ve got the ’19th hole’ here ready for you.”
Currently, the project includes Great American Cookies and Marble Slab, and the already-open FoxHole Golf Club and Studio P Pilates. Soon to come are an Italian restaurant, a med spa, a yoga studio and more.
“This has been a dream come true,” Tomiczek said, looking around the village. It has also been a lot of hard work, but today the vision is finally taking shape.
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