Kern's Food Hall uses cameras to auto-charge for parking (but not always): How it works

Kern's Food Hall has reversed course on an unpopular policy that would have charged for parking after two hours, instead opting for a validation system for those who purchase food at the South Knoxville facility.

Parking is still free for up to two hours. After that, parking costs $5 for anyone staying between two and four hours − unless you purchased something from inside. If that's the case, customers can scan a QR code from the vendor to validate parking for up to 12 hours.

Without this validation, parking costs $10 when staying between four and 12 hours.

The proposal to charge after two hours was announced shorty before the first Tennessee football game, but customers were quick to share their concerns on social media. This prompted Kern's to place this policy on pause Sept. 5 until the new rules were announced Sept. 20 .

How to pay for parking at Kern's Food Hall

Parking company Metropolis is handling Kern's parking.

After customers scan a QR code in the parking lot and sign up for Metropolis, cameras check their license plate when entering and exiting the parking lot, allowing Metropolis to calculats how long you've been there.

The service charges customers automatically upon exiting the parking lot.

On return visits, customers will get a message from Metropolis upon entering the parking lot and won't have to worry about scanning the QR code again. It's as easy as entering, parking and leaving the lot.

Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real .

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Kern's Food Hall uses cameras to auto-charge for parking (but not always): How it works