Jack Brown's Beer and Burgers opens in revamped Innovation District structure

A.J. Walker drinks a beer at the new Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint in the Tomorrow Building, formerly the Yesterday's building, on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
A.J. Walker drinks a beer at the new Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint in the Tomorrow Building, formerly the Yesterday's building, on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

We're happy with how it leased up. We want to see more liveliness on Patten Parkway.

The Tomorrow Building already has leased its downtown Chattanooga residential and commercial space, with a new eatery having opened this week and a coffee shop set for early June.

"We're happy with how it leased up," said Stephanie Hays, who manages the Patten Parkway and Georgia Avenue building for Lamp Post Properties after it received an $8 million makeover. "We want to see more liveliness on Patten Parkway."

Kait Van Zandt, bar manager at Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint, said the restaurant on the building's first floor seats about 75 people.

Jack Brown's has 10 restaurants in Alabama, Virginia and Tennessee, with eateries already in Nashville and Murfreesboro, and it touts its hamburgers with 100 percent all natural Wagyu beef.

"Things are going good," Van Zandt said. "People are streaming in and checking things out."

She said the restaurant's operators, who opened their first eatery in Harrisonburg, Va., like downtown Chattanooga's history and culture.

"It's a great spot," Van Zandt said as people share their personal stories about the former Yesterday's restaurant that did business for many years in the 129-year-old building.

Opening in June will be Plus Coffee, which has locations in St. Elmo and East Main Street.

Owner Matt Park said he likes the co-living concept in the Tomorrow Building. While tenants have their own kitchenettes in their rooms, they also can share two larger kitchens and dining rooms, a living room and a multipurpose space for events.

Park also said he likes the building's location in the heart of Chattanooga's Innovation District, a 140-acre area where entrepreneurs, tech-based startups, and business incubators can mesh and create a so-called innovation ecosystem.

"We're excited about what's going on in the district," he said. "I like to see people supportive of the changes happening down there."

Park said his newest 340-square-foot site will be smaller than his two other locations. The new coffee shop will focus more on express service as it serves businesses in the Innovation District.

"One thing that sets us apart is we're all about collaborating," he said. "We want to be part of whatever organizations have things going on."

Also leasing space in the 7,000-square-foot commercial first floor of the building are juice bar Southern Sqweeze and the Palace Picture House, which shows Indie, classic, and cult-classic movies of all types.

Hays said that the pace at which space leased up in the Tomorrow Building validates the concept.

"We think it's a big community asset," she said. It provides a place where "people can land and get involved and find community," Hays said.

Residential tenants range from 19 to 60 years old, she said about those leasing the 39 units.

"We've got three international tenants," Hays said. "It's a super-diverse community. We've got a big mix. That's been a real fun surprise."

She added that some of the residential units have short-term leases and there will be turnover later this year.

Hays said Lamp Post Properties also is wooing other commercial tenants in space at the former Cooper's Office Supply buildings nearby on Cherry Street and the old Mayfield Annex at East Seventh and Walnut streets.

Lamp Post Properties is backed by Chattanooga venture incubator Lamp Post Group, which provides capital and mentorship to growing start-up businesses.

In March 2015, Lamp Post Properties bought a 92 percent interest in the Yesterday's building.

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.

Upcoming Events