A Walk Down State Street, the Heart of Bristol Tennessee
After standing beneath the glowing welcome of the Bristol TN/VA sign, it only feels right to keep moving—right down the center of town along State Street. This is where Bristol truly comes alive.
Two States, One Street
State Street is more than just a clever geographical quirk; it’s a living example of how a community can bridge borders. One side of the road is Tennessee, the other Virginia, but the street itself belongs to everyone. It’s lined with local businesses, eateries, boutiques, music venues, and galleries, each adding a unique note to the town’s overall rhythm.
Local Shops and Southern Charm
As you explore the downtown strip, you’ll find everything from antique stores and handcrafted goods to bookstores and vinyl records. Each storefront feels personal, and each owner seems passionate about what they do. It’s the kind of place where you might stop in for a quick look and leave with a story or a new friend.
We went into the Walls Fine Art Gallery for a quick look at this world renowned photographer. It was near closing and were getting ready to leave when the artist agent approached us. Hearing our conversations about photography she took the time to give us a tour and teach us about the artists work. Knowing that we weren’t interested in buying did not inhibit her from continuing the tour. Rather seeing our interest in photography, she invited us to the back and showed us his higher end and newest work. It was a wonderful time of connecting with someone with similar interests.
A Work of Art Gallery: Creative Community on Display
My friend and fellow photographer Jim Cook shows his work at A Work of Art Gallery at 600 State Street. It’s not just a gallery, it’s a collective, cooperative, vibrant space where local artists share their vision with the world. Please take a minute to view his page on the gallery’s website.
Being a coop all the members take turns covering the gallery. I arranged to meet Jim on his day to man the gallery. So, I ended up spending quite a bit of time with him looking at all the talented creatives and taking it all in. By the time I left I had met a couple of truly talented photo artists as well as some tourists that stopped by. There’s something inspiring about connecting with people who see the world through the lens of creativity, and this gallery fosters exactly that kind of exchange.
Food, Coffee, and Conversation
Downtown Bristol’s cafes and restaurants offer more than just a meal, they offer community. We had lunch at a local cafe, but there were many choices for dinner, a quick bite and live music, the atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. The hum of conversation and the smell of fresh food drifting out onto the street is a constant invitation. We met a lot of different kinds of folks everywhere we went. It was fascinating. While I was following my creative path, I found myself inspired by the galleries and downtown atmosphere that this town had to offer.
This gallery has images of storefronts, buildings, alleys and the historic Bristol Hotel. What is doesn’t have is the Paramount Theater.
In the next post, we’ll a peak at one of downtown’s most beautiful buildings, the Paramount Theater. We’ll discover its storied past and continuing role in Bristol’s creative life.