10/12/2026
Harper Auto Square Announces the Next Chapter of Harper Cars & Coffee
Harper Auto Square today announced the next chapter of Harper Cars & Coffee, one of East Tennessee's most beloved car community traditions. Beginning in 2027, the series will move from its current spring, summer and fall Cars & Coffee format to a new annual rhythm: Porsche Plática each spring, a rotating special event each summer, and a single flagship Harper Cars & Coffee each fall.
For almost fifteen years, Harper Cars & Coffee has brought thousands of cars and more than 10,000 guests at a time to West Town Mall. What started as a simple morning of coffee and conversation grew into a shared tradition for families, first-time enthusiasts, lifelong collectors, car clubs and neighbors who just love to see something special roll in.
"First, thank you," said Shannon Harper, President and Dealer Principal of Harper Auto Square. "To everyone who set an alarm before sunrise, washed a car the night before, brought their kids, or stood in the mall lot for hours trading stories…you built this. Cars & Coffee was never really about the cars. It was about the people, and this community has given us far more than we could ever give back."
The change reflects a deliberate shift in priorities. Producing three large-scale gatherings each year takes significant resources, from venue, security and traffic support to the staffing it takes to do them well. Rather than spread that effort across three similar mornings, Harper Auto Square is concentrating it into fewer, more distinctive experiences and dedicating the time it frees up to creating the absolute best car community experiences for people in Knoxville and around the globe.
"This isn't an ending. It's a refocus," Harper said. "We want every event that carries our name to be the very best it can be. Building the year around one great fall Cars & Coffee, a summer event that looks different every year, and Porsche Plática in the spring lets us pour everything we have into each one. Knoxville is home, and we will keep showing up for this car community."
Spring: Porsche Plática. Held each spring at The Quarry in Knoxville, Plática has grown into a gathering that draws Porsche collectors and enthusiasts from across the country and around the world, while raising support for the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Details on the 2027 event will be shared in the coming months.
Summer: A rotating special event. Each summer will bring a new format, giving the Harper team room to try fresh themes, venues and experiences. Details will be announced ahead of each season.
Fall: The flagship Harper Cars & Coffee. The fall gathering becomes the signature Cars & Coffee of the year, with the full energy of the series focused on one unforgettable morning. Date and location for fall 2027 will be announced at a later date.
Harper Auto Square extends its sincere gratitude to West Town Mall for hosting the series, to local law enforcement and first responders for keeping guests safe, to the team members and volunteers who arrived before dawn, and to the sponsors, vendors and charitable partners who made every event possible. Most of all, thank you to the attendees who made Harper Cars & Coffee what it is.
Harper Auto Square remains committed to the Knoxville car community year-round, supporting local clubs, causes and gatherings. Updates on all three events will be shared at harpercarsandcoffee.com and on Harper Cars & Coffee social channels.
About Harper Auto Square
Harper Auto Square is a second-generation, family-owned automotive group based in Knoxville, Tennessee, representing 13 franchises across seven rooftops, including Porsche, Audi, Acura, INFINITI, Volkswagen, Maserati, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Morgan.
About Porsche Plática
Plática is an automotive enthusiast community and annual spring gathering in Knoxville that brings collectors, enthusiasts and partners together around great cars and good conversation. www.porsche-platica.com
