Written by Bailey Ridenour // Photo provided by Watkins Kelly
Members of men’s social club TNT will hold a yard sale and spring market tomorrow at their East Market Avenue home called the Grungeon. The yard sale is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the spring market occurring from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In summer 2019, a group of seniors from TNT found the house and began renting it, not realizing that four years later the house would still be occupied by TNT affiliated residents. Because of the vault located in the basement and the ‘grunginess’ of the house, they named it the Grungeon.
Senior AJ Hudkins moved into the Grungeon in July 2022 after the previous group of seniors graduated and moved out of the house. Currently, seven men live there, but over the years Hudkins said there were always between five and seven men living in the Grungeon. Current residents also include seniors Ryan Simpson, David Martinez, Bo Webb, Wilson Parker, Davis Cofer and Watkins Kelly.
“Our landlord is not renting it out to people next school year, and she is possibly planning on tearing it down,” Hudkins said. “Over the last four years, the house has accumulated lots of different home items that have been passed down, and now we have to get rid of it all.”
According to Kelly, a sign appeared in the yard of the Grungeon on April 18 notifying the house members of a public hearing for the property.
“I think basically they are having a hearing about it but the plan is to tear it down and put townhomes or apartments on that lot,” Kelly said.
Hudkins said the event is more than just a yard sale. It’s a farewell party for the house.
“The Grungeon over the last four years has been more than just a house for people,” Hudkins said. “It has been a community space for literally anyone to come by to hangout and fellowship. So, we dubbed it the spring market so people can come out and hang out there for one last time. Also, several of our friends will be vendors and will be selling different kinds of food and plants.”
The event will host Honey Bee Bakery, Davis Eats, Claire-a-bon, Four Friends Pottery Studio and Bailey’s Bread. Hudkins said all of the vendors are people who are friends with or connected with someone who lives there.
“I was familiar with the Grungeon before the spring market through connections of friends,” junior Bailey Hammond, founder of Bailey’s Bread, said. “When I was asked to be a vendor at their garage sale, I felt honored and was excited at their idea. It was expressed that they want their sale to be an event for everyone in the community. … Just excited to share some bread with people.”
