The corner of Market and Main streets has come a long way from its days as the home of the Union Gospel Mission's homeless shelter.
A Thai restaurant, a Salvadoran restaurant, a nail salon and a sauna studio are the commercial tenants of developer John Wise's new, four-story, 75,000-square-foot apartment and retail building named "Mission at Main." The name's a nod to the site's former use before the Southside took off as one of Chattanooga's fastest-growing neighborhoods.
"They're all local businesses," Wise said of the new building's tenants. "That's nice."
Conga Latin Food, which has operated since 2004 a few blocks away in a brick building at 207 E. Main St., plans to open on Oct. 10 in the new space the Salvadoran restaurant has leased in Wise's building.
"It's great for us," said Rene Hernandez, who runs Conga along with his brother, Alex Hernandez, and their mother Eva Rodriguez. "It's a lot bigger here. Nicer."
Conga won't have a parking lot like it did down the street, he said, but Hernandez is counting on more foot traffic in the new location.
Alex's Thai Food & Sushi Bistro also will open on Oct. 10 in Wise's building.
It's an offshoot of Thai Smile at 219 Market St., a block away from the Tennessee Aquarium. Alex Soommart, Thai Smile's former owner, will run the new restaurant.
"Alex is my uncle," said Vicky Num, the owner of Thai Smile, which has been in business for 11 years.
Nailworks Main Street is due to open in about a month; it's a partner salon to the Nailbar at 250 Velma St. behind the Big Chill and Grill in North Chattanooga.
"That's my second location," said Hannah Nguyen, Nailbar's owner. "I'm very excited about the new location."
Sisu Sauna Studio, which has infrared sauna beds on which customers can spend 30 or 40 minutes sweating before stepping into a 45-degree cool-down room opened Tuesday.
It's possible to burn up to 600 calories in a sauna session, said Sisu employee Tiffany Owens.
"It feels like you ran a marathon," said Owens, who cited detoxification and stress relief as some of the other benefits of using a sauna.
All but two of the Mission at Main's 66 apartments have been rented.
Wise is still looking for a tenant to fill the space right at the corner of Market and Main.
"I'd like to get another restaurant," he said.
Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomarzu@timesfreepress.com or www.facebook.com/MeetsForBusiness or on Twitter @meetforbusiness or 423-757-6651.