This week we're talking about what a perfect Kingsport weekend actually looks like, the kind that doesn't require a reservation or a road trip. We've also got three local businesses worth knowing, a fresh House Hunch listing to guess on, and what's happening around town this weekend.

In today's post:

Hey Kingsport,

If you want to know what a perfect Kingsport weekend looks like, here's a blueprint.

Warriors Path on a Saturday morning, running into half the families you know at the playground. That part never gets old. There's something about this city where you can't go anywhere without seeing someone you recognize, and Warriors Path is ground zero for that. Nearly a thousand acres of trails, the lake right there, completely free, five minutes from most of us. If you grew up here you probably take it for granted. Try not to.

Lunch at Pal's because that's just what you do. It opened in 1956 and nothing about it needs to change. The hot dog is the hot dog. The sweet tea is the sweet tea. Some institutions earn their status and Pal's is one of them.

Borden Park in the afternoon, because Borden Park has been the backdrop for Kingsport childhoods for decades and it's still doing the job. Food City for the week's groceries, another Kingsport original that most people don't think twice about. And wrapping it all up at Christ Fellowship Sunday morning.

Some weekends you don't have to go anywhere to feel like you're exactly where you're supposed to be. This was one of those.

What does your perfect Kingsport weekend look like? Hit reply and tell me. I'm genuinely collecting these and the best ones might end up in a future issue.

The Bagel Exchange | 107 W. Center St., Downtown Kingsport

New York bagels in Downtown Kingsport. That's the pitch, and it delivers. The Bagel Exchange has been a downtown staple since opening on West Center Street, baking bagels fresh every day and mixing their own flavored cream cheeses in house. Vegetable, maple walnut, apple cinnamon raisin. They take the spreads seriously.

If you don't know where to start, the smoked salmon on an everything bagel with cream cheese, capers, and red onion is the move. If you want something more breakfast, scrambled eggs on a bagel with your choice of meat and cheese for under six dollars is hard to argue with.

Open Wednesday through Friday 7am to 2:30pm, Saturday 7:30am to 2:30pm. Balcony seating available if the weather cooperates. Check the menu at thebagelexchange.biz.

Robby Taylor at Inspire Wine Bar | Saturday, March 7 | 7pm - 9pm A Kingsport-based singer/songwriter who has toured extensively and earned recognition in multiple songwriting competitions. Expect original music, grunge era favorites, and a laid-back evening downtown worth showing up for. Details here.

First Aid/CPR with AED | Saturday, March 7 | 1:30pm - 4:30pm | 317 Cherokee St This one is practical and worth your time. Vital CPR is offering an American Heart Association certified course covering first aid, CPR, and AED use. Good for caregivers, school staff, workplace safety personnel, or anyone who just wants to know what to do when it counts. Sign up at vitalcpr.net.

bRUNch Club at Inspire Wine Bar | Sunday, March 8 | 10am - 11am Run, walk, or some combination of the two. All paces and distances welcome. A good way to earn Sunday brunch. Details here.

This one is fresh on the market and worth a look. A 2024 townhome in Gray with a smart layout, quartz countertops, hardwood and tile throughout, and a primary suite with a walk-in closet that will make you rethink your current situation. Three bedrooms, two full baths, laundry upstairs where it actually belongs, and a one-car attached garage. Low maintenance, move-in ready, and sitting just minutes from I-26 with easy access to Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol.

Take a look and make your guess. What do you think they're asking for 323 Piper Glen in Gray?

This newsletter works best when it's a conversation. If you know a story that needs to be told, a person doing something interesting, or a place in Kingsport that matters to you, send it my way. Every documentary, every feature, every post starts with someone saying "you should look into this."

That's it for this week. Thanks for trusting me with your inbox. Let's tell some stories.

Talk soon,

Ryan