Friends of the Fellini Kroger

Have you ever been in a hodge-podge of society and thought you were the only “normal” person there? I once saw a guy at the flea market with a parrot on his head and a woman with a ferret on a leash. It’s funny and captivating – maybe even a little scary. That’s also describes the North Knoxville Kroger, affectionately known by some as the “Fellini” Kroger.

Located at 2217 N. Broadway just behind the Taco Bell and the old gas station, the Fellini Kroger got its name for Italian film director and producer Federico Fellini. Fellini is known for his bizarre characters and surreal situations.

On any given night at the Fellini Kroger you could see a fight between a midget and a one-armed man, obese albino twins with matching overalls, ladies fighting over rutabagas or a rugged construction worker with a Pomeranian dog strapped to his back. I once saw a plus-sized grandma with a blue mohawk and Z’s shaved onto the side of her head wearing baggy pants that read “Bite me” repeatedly.

Those are just some of the experiences posted by members of the Facebook group “Friends of the Fellini (North Knox) Kroger.” Facebook user Ann Kidd says she started the group simply because she lives nearby and had always heard stories about the store. The group has more than 450 members so far. “I never imagined it taking off like it has,” says Kidd. “But that just goes to show how well-known the place is and what a reputation it has.”

Group members post their experiences and photos from the infamous store. For instance, there’s a guy who says his girlfriend’s feet were worshipped by a customer while they were shopping. Another group member says the deli clerk tried to convince him the mahi-mahi was dolphin, “you know, like Flipper.” So the employees are Fellini characters as well.

People have been flashed, some characters have declared their level of stoned-ness, and others have been spotted on foot at the Taco Bell drive-through, which is easily considered Fellini-esque by association. I spotted a man buying nothing but a super-sized bottle of mouthwash to drink.

But so far the character that is ubiquitous, yet elusive, is Nipple Guy. He’s a fellow whose appearances have been documented on the Facebook group no less than three times. Nipple Guy just doesn’t seem to understand why men have nipples, and he seeks answers from Fellini Kroger patrons. Sometimes he serenades them.

It's difficult to describe. So, take your in-laws when they come to town. Or take your girlfriend for a cheap date. There’s always something playing at the Fellini Kroger.

The photo above is of Savannah Vaughn. She doesn't work at the Fellini Kroger, but could be called the original Friend of the Fellini Kroger. She's always there arranging product on the shelves or greeting customers as they arrive. It's just not the same without her.

Popcorn Sutton: A Modern Day Dooley

Modern Day Dooley

I remember very well

The day ole Dooley died

The women folk looked sorry

And the men stood round and cried

Now Dooley's on the mountain

He lies there all alone

They put a jug beside him

And a barrel for his stone.

To say that Popcorn Sutton was odd would not be fair to the moonshiner. He was a strange old man. I have never read his book or sampled his product, but I met Popcorn Sutton at his home six months before he died.

I was working as a production assistant for a film crew. They were in town to shoot Johnny Knoxville interviewing local characters, and Popcorn was one such character.

At the time, Popcorn had not yet been sentenced on his conviction of felony possession of a firearm and illegally brewing spirits. He lived at the top of a hill in Cocke County and best as I could tell he kept to himself. Of course he was on house arrest when I met him, only allowed to leave the property for certain occasions such as doctor visits. I just didn’t get the feeling he went around bothering people before he got busted.

Popcorn had already purchased his casket and plastic flowers to go on top. There was a child’s casket in his front yard he said was a beer cooler. It was about 4-feet long, white and has little rails on the sides. He told me as we were leaving that I was the only woman who ever had her picture taken with him he hadn’t kissed. I’m still not sure if he was congratulating me or looking for a hand-out.

Johnny Knoxville hit the nail on the head when he described Popcorn as ribald. That day we learned about things we could have gone the rest of our lives without knowing. You can check out Jackassworld.com for the interview with Johnny Knoxville.

He had a collection of rusty artifacts from San Quentin State Prison, a guest house and an estranged daughter. He also, apparently, liked his women large and had a healthy appetite for pleasing women. He even showed us the sex stirrups in his bedroom.

But underneath it all, it seemed to me at the time, he had finally developed a fear of the law. Popcorn had only done what he knew how to do: make moonshine. And he didn’t care who knew it. He was regularly asked to demonstrate at fairs, and other historical reenactments. Reportedly, he ran more than just water through the still at one demonstration, if you get my drift. And being arrested four previous times kind of put a target on his back.

For whatever reason, his fifth conviction was the one that made him decide to clean up his act. Too little too late, the ubiquitous “they” say. When we were visiting with him that day Popcorn said, “I just hope and pray they don’t send me off.” Of course, he was speaking of going to prison. He never would have survived had he gone. Popcorn chain-smoked non-filtered cigarettes, drank Ensure for nutrition, and although he claimed his liquor was clean, I’m sure the years of homemade brew had taken a toll.

In March, Popcorn received a letter instructing him to report for his 18-month sentence. He was to report on Friday and was found dead on Monday in his car.

Ultimately, it seems as if he lived as died the way he wanted. Strangely enough, the foot-marker for Popcorn’s grave was sitting in front of his house when I was there. Appropriately, it read: “Popcorn said f*** you.” Well said, Popcorn. Well said.