KNOXVILLE, Tenn — An empty building that sits on the 1800 block of Magnolia Avenue doesn't seem like much, but in 1928 it was one of the first businesses to come to the area. It brought jobs and economic promise.
Kiera Wyatt has lived in East Knoxville her whole life and now owns a community outreach program.
"I live, work, worship and play here," Wyatt said.
She said the area looks a bit different now than it did all those years ago.
"We've had people move out, businesses shut down and people die, with no one to take their place," she said.
The Swans Bread Company brought hope of new development and business to the east side of Knoxville. After being empty for the past couple of years, it's beginning to bring back some of that same hope.
The building was recently purchased for $3 million by the Knoxville Leadership Foundation.
"We're trying to revitalize and bring in new industries, new business partners, new outreaches to come help us rebuild. we're in a rebuild," she said.
One local coffee shop that has been here for the last three years says that Magnolia Avebneu is the perfect spot for new city investment.
"Great chance to invest into a part of the city that hasn't seen much money flow into it for decades," Will Boggs, owner of LIkewise Coffee, said. "And a great chance to bring jobs to the area."