MOUNT VERNON — Although the economy is still in the doldrums there was a relatively active business climate in Knox County in 2010.
year in review
2010 a painful year in Knox County
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2010 Zeitgeist
Budget, sewer upgrades top year for county
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Voters reject school levies
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TRW closes; Kroger fuel opens
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Freshwater civil suits finished; termination conclusion looming
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City, villages use 2010 to build for future
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2010: Triumphant year for local sports
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Career Center has a stellar year
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Educational Service Center year marked with accolades
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Local school districts take positive steps in 2010
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Hard work pays off for local students
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related
There we some closings, some openings and some expansions during the year.
June 30 marked the closing of the TRW plant in Mount Vernon. It had employed 79 people at the time of closing. Company spokesman John Wilkerson attributed the closing to the economy and to the fact that the local plant had been making parts for automobiles that had been discontinued.
One notable business event during the year was the retirement of Diane and Fred Rundell, who owned and operated Rundell Goldsmiths. The original name of the business when it opened in 1973 was Silver Cove with a small shop on East High Street off Public Square. The shop closed May 27 after nearly 38 years of being a well-known and trusted downtown presence.
Another venture with ties to the history of downtown Mount Vernon was the closing of Candyland.
Candyland was the original incarnation of The Alcove Restaurant. The 2010 venture was the dream child of Dave Bumpus. It closed the first weekend in October after a short run.
“It was a conscious decision to close before I got into my retirement account,” Bumpus said at the time. “I basically think the economy is the main culprit.”
One new venture never quite got off the ground. The Girlie Spot was scheduled to open on Public Square early this summer but the venture never got off the ground. It was a victim of location and zoning ordinances.
The store had hoped to open on or about July 10. However, Safety-Service Director and zoning enforcement officer Davis Glass ordered the store stay closed until it could be determined the nature of the business.

