KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — South Press Coffee in South Knoxville is undergoing a rebrand following business sustainability issues. Joslynn Fish, the shop's owner, said the shop had seen changes over the past few months that deemed it necessary.
"We really started seeing a change a couple of months ago," said Fish. "First, with increased cost of doing business not just in the goods that we use, but also just a decline in foot traffic."
Fish spoke with other small business owners in Knoxville and she said they are experiencing the same issue.
"It seems to be a theme kind of across the board, we aren't the only people experiencing this. In the last couple weeks we've hit this tipping point where I had to make a decision to either ask for help or succumb to the idea that South Press just can't exist anymore," said Fish.
In the coming weeks, South Press will launch a new menu, new logo and new social media presence with help from the community and Knox Pride. Fish believes this will help revitalize the community and safe space.
"The story has only ever been told through my verbiage, through my photographs, through my graphics, so now we are getting to see South Press through a different lens, through fresh eyes," said Fish.
The rebrand of the shop is exciting employees and community members alike as the shop hopes to sustain the ability to continue the story that has always been told.
"When people think of South Press, they think of Joslynn, which is not a bad thing at all," said Angela Singleton, an employee at South Press. "But, you know, we want this place to be [a] safe and inclusive place for everybody. It's a place for people that have gone without the treatment and love that they need."
For more information on South Press, those interested can view its website here.