To better promote Town biz, Shop Farragut leader asks BOMA for $70k restoration
Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance is hoping to bring back Taste of Farragut and continue with its current services.
However, to do so more effectively, they asked Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen for more funding during the Mayor’s Report segment of the Board’s meeting Thursday, April 24. The Board heard from SF/FBA leadership without taking action on the matter — or even discussing what was presented to them.
Currently, the funding Shop Farragut receives from the Board annually is $55,000, Shop Farragut president Candace Viox reported.
She said of that, $35,000 goes toward supporting infrastructure, executive director Steve Krempasky’s work with businesses, the sign program, marketing partnership with farragutpress, website managment, the Shop Farragut campaign with $2,500 gift cards purchased and the Farragut Business Directory.
Viox said $10,000 of the $55,000 goes toward sponsoring Dog Daze, while another $10,000 goes toward sponsoring Harvest Fest.
“We appreciate the Town so much,” she added. “Your support of our businesses cannot be denied.”
Viox asked the Board to return to the $70,000 annual amount the elected officials previously funded between 2016 and 2023 so it could provide more and keep up with rising costs, explaining the cost of paying for infrastructure has “dramatically increased.
“Restrooms, feature stage and tents have increased by 100 percent,” she added in asking for the addition $10,000, which would be $65,000.
The additional $5,000 would fund the Health & Wellness Expo, which has been taking place since 2019.
“The number of health and wellness businesses in our Town has increased,” Viox said. “We would appreciate the Town’s sponsorship of this event. We would appreciate using our Farragut Community Center to continue being the location for this event during the winter.”
On the same vein, she asked the Board to consider allowing Shop Farragut to bring back Taste of Farragut.
“The Taste of Turkey Creek completed its final event in 2024,” Viox said. “The Town of Farragut used to host a similar event called the Taste of Farragut, compete with local restaurants competing for the best food trophy.
“Its last year was 2019,” she added. “We have a bold idea and would like you to consider reconstituting The Taste of Farragut.
“We will coordinate the event, solicit the business participation, negotiate the location and procure an alcohol sponsor and food sponsor to donate so our restaurants can afford the participation. We will rename it Shop Farragut Food & Wine Festival.”
As for a date, “We can host this event in early May 2026,” Viox said.
To hold the event, she asked for a $15,000 grant from the Town, which is in addition to the $70,000 request.
While SF/FBA is led by Krempasky, the SF/FBA board, established in 2010, consists of 11 volunteers who are members of the Town’s business community.
