The document summarizes a preliminary study comparing the retail businesses in the downtown area of Knoxville, TN to four other similar cities. It finds that within a half-mile radius of downtown Knoxville, there are fewer stores in categories like apparel, jewelry, books, art galleries, antiques, taverns, and specialty food compared to the averages of the four cities. It recommends expanding the study area to a one-mile radius and comparing to more cities while also analyzing demographic data and types of businesses beyond retail to better understand downtown Knoxville's offerings.

1. Preliminary Comparison of Retail Businesses of Downtown Knoxville, TN with Other Selected Similar Cities Compulsive Analysis Volume 4 George Scott February, 2010

3. Knoxville Downtown Area of Study (Half-mile Radius of Market Square)

4. Source: ReferenceUSA

5. Selected Downtown Comparisons Source: ReferenceUSA

6. Asheville Downtown Zone of Study (Half-mile Radius of Walnut and Haywood)

7. Birmingham, AL Zone of Study (Half-mile Radius of 63 20th Street North)

8. Charleston, SC Zone of Study (Half-mile Radius of 241 King Street)

9. Lexington, KY Zone of Study (Half-mile Radius of 127 S. Limestone)

11. Source: ReferenceUSA Most Pronounced Differences These business groups are under-represented in Downtown Knoxville compared to the averaged retail business groups of the selected four cities

12. 4 Selected Cities’ ½ Mile Radius Have an Average of This Many More Stores in These Retail Groups Source: ReferenceUSA

13. Direct Comparison Knoxville to Averages of Selected Cities Source: ReferenceUSA None Operating in Downtown Knoxville Area of Study at this time

16. Extending study area will give a more complete picture of Downtown