Lee Greenwood Theater Will See New Life

We’ve never understood the ill fate of the lovely Lee Greenwood Theater along with the restaurant and retail complex formerly known as the Maplewood Farm Shops complex that was opened in 1996 in Sevierville and closed in 2000. We ate at the gorgeous restaurant with awesome views atop the bluff overlooking the French Broad River, and while the restaurant was never a sell out, the food was good enough. But word has come out today that a church and a developer have purchased the 57 acres of land and buildings and we feel like raising three cheers!

The Knoxville News Sentinel announced that Blue Ridge Development and the new Hope Church of Sevierville have purchased the complex for $13.5 million, with Blue Ridge taking the 30,000 square foot retail center and 25 acres of land, and the Church taking the 1,776-seat theater for future sanctuary and office space, and the restaurant for a conference center.

There is a lot of undeveloped land included in the purchase and Pastor Tom Sterbens’ plans include the construction of a home for unwed mothers, a drug rehabilitation center and a retreat for visiting ministers here. On the other hand, Blue Ridge principal, Don Barnett plans to build condos on the awesome bluff, and his plans may also include a Christian Superstore in the retail space that is available. It sounds like a win-win situation for the bank that held the foreclosed properties and the two entities that have interesting plans to refurbish the properties. We’ll watch the progress with great interest and new hope!