Central Filling Station could return on a 'semi-normal' basis with food trucks like before

Central Filling Station is reopening for a day as part of the Sunset on Central music festival, but this special occasion might just be the start of the food truck park's revival.

Charles Ellis, general manager of Yee-Haw Brewing Company in Knoxville, spoke with Knox News about some future possibilities for Central Filling Station, which did not reopen in 2023 after a routine seasonal closing.

"We're really excited to bring it back for a day, and hopefully we can do this on a semi-normal basis of hosting special events and pop-up food truck park events there," Ellis told Knox News. "We just want to have the community involved, and we're excited to offer something for the neighborhood."

The connection between Yee-Haw and Central Filling Station

Real estate group SMJT owns the food truck park property at 900 N. Central St. and the adjacent Yee-Haw property at 745 N. Broadway.

The group purchased the food truck park from original owners Alden and Scott Larrick, who opened it in March 2018.

SMJT named Charles Ellis the general manager of both locations.

What could a revived Central Filling Station look like?

Ellis said Central Filling Station could be used for quarterly or monthly events with food trucks but did not give a timeline.

The shipping container bar also could be revived. "Central Filling Station has a special place in my heart and now, running Yee-Haw Knoxville, I'm just excited for fun events and community involvement in our neighborhood," Ellis said. "It's gonna be great."

Want to see Central Filling Station during its grand return?

The former food truck park at 900 N. Central St. previously served as a venue for Sunset on Central, a free one-day music festival making its return Aug. 24 after a one-year hiatus.

Sunset on Central started in 2016 in the lot that later became Central Filling Station, festival producer Garrett Thomson said, so being able to revive the food truck park even for just a day ties back to the festival's roots.

During the festival, Central Filling Station will host live music and five classic food trucks that call back to the early days of the venue:

• CJ’s Tacos
• Penne for Your Thoughts
• Smoked Pickle BBQ
• B’s Bites
• Your Sugar Therapy

In addition to Central Filling Station and Yee-Haw, live music will take place at:

• Schulz Bräu Brewing Company at 126 Bernard Ave.
• Next Level Brewing at 700 N. Broadway
• Corner Lounge at 842 N. Central St.

Sunset on Central will run from 3-11 p.m. Aug. 24. For the full lineup and more details, visit sunsetoncentral.com.

Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Central Filling Station could return on a 'semi-normal' basis with food trucks like before