Pioneering Southside gay bar to close after 27 years; buyer's identity a secret

Chuck's II was one of only a handful of businesses in Chattanooga's Southside neighborhood when the gay bar at 27 W. Main St. opened in 1994 on New Year's Eve.
Chuck's II was one of only a handful of businesses in Chattanooga's Southside neighborhood when the gay bar at 27 W. Main St. opened in 1994 on New Year's Eve.
photo Chuck's II was one of only a handful of businesses in Chattanooga's Southside neighborhood when the gay bar at 27 W. Main St. opened in 1994 on New Year's Eve.

Chuck Cagle remembers when Chuck's II was one of only a handful of businesses in Chattanooga's Southside neighborhood when the gay bar at 27 W. Main St. opened in 1994 on New Year's Eve.

"I was a pioneer on the Southside, that's what I call myself," Cagle said.

Now, the neighborhood's booming real estate market will put Chuck's II out of business. Cagle plans to close on Oct. 22 because he got an offer for the property "that just cannot be turned down."

He declined to say how much he was offered for the brick building and adjoining gravel parking lot that, according to Hamilton County Assessor of Property records, Cagle bought in 1992 for $66,000.

Cagle doesn't know the buyer's identity because he was approached by an agent from Real Estate Partners LLC.

"All I know is it's a company here in town that owns several hotels," Cagle said. "I really don't know his name, because I'm dealing with a broker."

Darlene Brown, the founder and majority shareholder of Real Estate Partners which is headquartered in the Loveman's building downtown, said the buyer was local. But she declined to elaborate.

"We're not at liberty to say who bought it, until it closes," Brown said.

The buyer has done a number of feasibility studies, she said, but hasn't decided whether to demolish the building or renovate it for such use as condominiums.

Brown said the building is beautiful inside. Cagle said he has a residence there. According to county property assessor records, the building is about 2,880 square feet and sits on a 200-by-130-foot lot. It was built around 1900.

Chuck's II is tucked away in the back of the building with a patio outside. Events advertised on the bar's Facebook page include "Drag Wars Chattanooga" and "The Southside Divas Disney Drag Show."

It draws a mix of customers, Cagle said.

"I would call it a neighborhood bar," he said. "It was a gay bar for a lot of years. Now, it's a big mix."

Chuck's II announced its Oct. 22 closure on its Facebook page, which drew an outpouring of disappointment from customers.

Cagle doesn't know if he'll reopen in a different location.

"I haven't made up my mind yet," he said. "There's a possibility. But then, I don't know."

The bar's first location was in a former spaghetti house on Market Street across from the Chattanooga Choo Choo, he said. The bar has been in business for 27 years between the two locations.

Cagle said he's going to hold a fundraiser on the Chuck II's final night in business for people living with HIV. Cagle said he and a country and western dance club hold the fundraiser twice a year.

"We've raised, over the years, over half a million dollars," he said.

Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomarzu@timesfreepress.com or www.facebook.com/MeetsForBusiness or twitter.com/meetforbusiness or 423-757-6651.

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