Located at 210 East Central Avenue near the Central Avenue Bridge

John Mertens snips the blue ribbon as his wife Michele assists on Friday.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- John and Michele Mertens (above) welcome you to Battle Provisions, their new brick and mortar location in the heart of La Follette. “We were online only and decided to open a store, and here it is,” said John Mertens.

WLAF’s Charlie Hutson shares his photo gallery HERE.

Battle Provisions is between Wender Furniture and Central Avenue Bridge.

“Welcome. We thank you for coming out,” said Michele Mertens.

Inventory fills the East Central Avenue location of Battle Provisions.

A few years back, the California decided to move to East Tennessee, and it just so happens they found a home in La Follette, and here they are. “We love it here,” said Michele Mertens.

“We welcome you. We welcome small businesses to Campbell County,” said Campbell County Mayor Jack Lynch.

Bright sunshine highlighted Friday’s ribbon cutting. John and Michele Mertens (with scissors)

“We are pleased to welcome John and Michele,” said Missy Tackett, Executive Director for the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/16/2026-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

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