Businesses in Our Neighborhood

“Businesses in Our Neighborhood” highlights an important part of Old North Knoxville’s past, present, and future. We at Old North News want to help our readers become better acquainted with the businesses in our area and what they have to offer. If you own or run a business in the Old North Knoxville area and would like to be profiled, contact Dave Palmer, editor of Old North News, at 673-8995.

In this installment we profile 

The Original Freezo

The building has been on Central Ave. since the 1950s, but Rhonda Chapman is the new proprietor who has recently reopened this landmark near Old North Knoxville. The Original Freezo’s motto is “A Taste Thrill” and this old fashioned eatery offers burgers, hot dogs, foot long hot dogs in addition to ice cream, shakes, and sundaes. The two full time and three part time employees are even making chili the way it was made in 1954 when Freezos were open at several locations in Knoxville. “I have a lady who owned her own Freezo on Broadway for 20 years,” Rhonda Chapman said. “So I figured with her here that would make it (the chili) original.”

Located at 1305 N. Central Ave., The Original Freezo is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the winter.

For more information, call 637-6500 or stop by. They are located at the corner of Central and Oklahoma. “I am a neighborhood kid, grown up now with three children of my own,” Rhonda Chapman said. “If anyone would like to sign a memory book or stop by with original things such as pictures or menus, we can talk over ice cream or a cold Coca Cola. Come by and meet us.”

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