From small Sunspheres to vintage wallets, World's Fair items come to downtown pop-up shop

Over the years, Sweet P's customers have brought in 1982 World's Fair memorabilia to give away, sell or trade for barbecue.

While the downtown restaurant is decorated with items from the Knoxville fair, excess items have been accumulating — to the point co-owner Chris Ford felt it was time to take action.

With the 40th anniversary of the World's Fair approaching, Ford is partnering with Bliss & Tori Mason Shoes to sell fair memorabilia from his collection.

"I don't have space for that sort of thing," he told Knox News, so the pop-up shop will set up inside the Gay Street clothing store starting Thursday.

Ford estimates roughly 80% of the items being sold were brought to Sweet P's. A portion of the sales will go toward upkeep of the Sunsphere.

'Keeping some jewels,' selling the rest

Ford attended the 1982 World's Fair at 10 years old and later purchased the fair logo, which is now used as part of Sweet P's branding. Growing up in Knoxville, Ford and his friends found it hard to believe the Scruffy City was on the same level as New Orleans, Seattle, Paris, Chicago and other cities that have also hosted World's Fairs.

That's where part of his passion for collecting World's Fair items comes from. Plus, finding "cool" items at vintage shops around town can be a fun activity, he said.

"I'm keeping some jewels," he said. "I'm keeping some stuff that I like. The way my stuff works, I've got to be able to use it. If I'm not using it, if it's not out, I'm parting ways with it."

But Ford admits getting rid of items won't be easy.

What will be available at the pop-up?

"Hundreds" of items will be available, Ford said, and those that sell out could be replaced if he has extras. Some items are still in their original packaging, he said.

Ford said one highlight from his collection is a coffee table book, and he has about four copies.

"I haven't seen a ton of those," he said. "And those are really cool with nice pictures from the fair."

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Ford said there will be tons of "everyday items," including drinking glasses and original T-shirts, as well as a new vintage-style T-shirt Nothing Too Fancy created for Sweet P's.

Cookbooks, artwork and other memorabilia also will be sold.

Celebrating, giving back to Sunsphere

A portion of the proceeds from the pop-up will be donated to the Sunsphere Fund, created in 2019 to protect and preserve the 26-story structure built for the 1982 World's Fair.

“The Sunsphere is in need of some updates and renovation, and it’s important that we preserve this local treasure,” Ford said in a news release. “It’s an iconic image that people automatically associate with Knoxville and a big part of our downtown landscape.”

The official 40th anniversary of the 1982 World's Fair is May 2022. However, Knoxville will be celebrating all year long, starting with the recently announced New Year's Eve event at World's Fair Park, complete with lasers and live music.

Want to see the pop-up for yourself?

Bliss & Tori Mason Shoes is located at 445 S. Gay St., and a welcome party for the pop-up will take place at the store from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Ford said he hopes to be selling items through the holidays.

"They may kick me out at some point," he said. "We've got a lot of neat stuff. ... (Bliss) does a great job of cataloging it. It's just a great spot for people of all ages that like to go through there."

All sales will be handled by Bliss & Tori Mason Shoes, he said.

Ryan Wilusz: Knoxville's downtown explorer and urban reporter
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: World's Fair pop-up in Downtown Knoxville selling Sweet P's collection