President Barack Obama made a surprise visit in Knoxville yesterday as he continued his bus tour across the state of Iowa. He stopped at the Coffee Connection downtown. Owner Mark Raymie says he was given 20 minutes notice before the president appeared this morning a little before 10am. They discussed what challenges and opportunities a small business owner in a a town like Knoxville faces.

President Obama ordered a coffee, iced tea, and several pastries for the crowd inside the shop. He remained downtown for about half an hour, discussing a variety of topics with locals in the coffee shop and posing for pictures. The president hopped in Ground Force One at about 10:30 on his way to Oskaloosa.

The above photo is of Assistant City Manager Dylan Feik, his wife Kira, their child Gabriel, and President Barack Obama

More photos available here

Photos courtesy of Assistant City Manager Dylan Feik.