May 21, 2012
DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The S&W Grand on Gay Street closed in December.
It will open in September as a beauty school, the Aveda Institute.
The first class is expected to host 30 students but eventually house more than 200 students and 50 employees.
Applications are being accepted now for day and night classes.
The spa and salon services will be offered to customer starting in January.
Students are already applying, while the school itself maps out plans, to transform the restaurant into a salon and spa industry setting.
Scott Weaver of the Aveda Institute says, "It is an historic building and we will respect that. We do enjoy working to rehab. It definitely needs some upgrades. We will change some things around to fit it into that."
Neighboring merchants say a new tenant means new traffic and new business.
Alex Baez of the French Market says, "Obviously parking is an issue, because there isn't enough parking right now, but we are extremely happy for the school, it's our clientele."
Tammie Conard of Coolato Gelato says "There will be a lot more business for us, we were all very excited."
