In an article headlined "East Maryville Blues: Businesses on the scruffier side of town seek to preserve tradition amid changing times," the Daily Times focused on several local businesses in the Tennessee town that signify "the beginnings of an East Maryville revitalization," including Southland Books & Cafe, which is primarily a used book shop but also carries "a choice selection of new titles and ones that we find difficult to keep in stock."
Owner Lisa Misosky "is often found at the counter, holding court with regulars who stop in for conversation as much as they do a used paperback," the Daily Times wrote. "On a chalkboard behind her is a emphatic statement: 'Sometimes your attitude will determine whether we want your books,' a declarative that neatly sums up the quirky, colorful and sassy feel of this side of town."
"We may not have sidewalks all the way down Broadway, but folks on this end of town are a whole lot more real," said Misosky. "You've got a lot of people who have invested in this area and all have active businesses; this is the only end of Maryville where you have predominantly small businesses. West Maryville is all chain stores and corporations, with the rare independent business in there somewhere. The biggest challenge is getting people from West Maryville to shop in East Maryville."