By Jamie Schnell
schnellj@knoxfocus.com
Fountain City Auction, located at 4109 Central Avenue Pike in Knoxville, is gearing up for its highly anticipated annual Advertising Auction set to take place on Saturday, January 3, 2026, starting at 2 p.m. This event features between 400 and 500 lots, each piece filled with nostalgic charm and the cherished stories of lives once lived. This year’s annual sale invites you to explore an inspiring array of items, featuring captivating signage—enriched by vibrant neon pieces—vintage toys, and cherished collectibles from the realms of gas and oil memorabilia, along with rustic country primitives. Embrace the nostalgia of childhood and the timeless stories passed down through generations. Each item resonates deeply, striking a chord of emotion that evokes joy, wonder and reflection.
With over 22 years of experience, Greg Lawson has hosted this signature sale every year. Lawson fondly reminisces about the days of in-person auction sales, which required a dedicated team of 18 employees and were accompanied by concessions. Today, the annual auction has transitioned to an online format, managed by a reliable and honest team of six, enabling them to reach a far wider audience since the onset of COVID in 2020. Fountain City Auction’s transition to online sales revealed a surprising and robust market filled with opportunities. While Lawson admits to missing the live auctions, he acknowledges the growth and success that have come from embracing the online model.
Fountain City Auction’s clientele often includes individuals facing significant life changes—downsizings, bereavements, transitions to assisted living, foreclosures and divorces—all of which lend a profound emotional weight to the process.
Lawson affectionately views his partner Steve Hunley as “more like a brother,” a bond forged over 35 years, and he deeply values Steve’s advice from the beginning: “Don’t invest in a product; invest in the people.” Lawson recognizes the importance of this, saying, “Sometimes people have to part with things they treasure – just because life changes their circumstances. You have to understand their needs and emotions.”
The auction’s remarkable growth and lasting success, as Lawson shares, arise from their commitment to treating customers with fairness and building meaningful, one-on-one relationships: “We’ll guide our clients through the entire process, ensuring that everything is managed with care and that every step financially empowers our clients.”
Fountain City Auction warmly invites its patrons to check out its annual sale. Every item up for bid at the auction is more than a mere transaction; it’s a tangible piece of history, another story shared.
For more information or to make an appointment to discuss your auction needs, call the Fountain City Auction office at (865) 474-9931 or visit www.fountaincityauction.com to view the catalog and register to bid for Saturday’s online auction.
