Last week, I had occasion to spend a couple of days in Knoxville, a place that I had always thought of as a university that somehow had a lot of businesses pop up around it.
I might have to rethink some of that after spending a little time around the Market Square area.
Barry CourterOver the last decade or so, there was little that Knoxville had to offer that I didn't feel Chattanooga had better, and yes, I'm including their little ol' football team that plays in that big ol' stadium, but that's a personal bias. I kid. Kinda.
Anyway, Knoxville's Market Square and Gay Street areas are cool, and I couldn't help think about what our Market and Main street area might look like a year or two from now when 14th Street (which will likely be renamed Station Street) is finished.
In case you are unaware of the plan, work is now being done to completely reshape the street, which runs from Market to Rossville Avenue.
Once completed, it could be closed to traffic and become primarily a pedestrian area available for street parties and outdoor concerts. It is surrounded by restaurants/venues like Stir, The Comedy Catch and Revelry Room.
This fall, Songbirds Timeless Guitars will open upstairs, and Frothy Monkey, an all-day breakfast-type restaurant, will open inside the Choo Choo campus. Places like Clyde's, Slicks, Blue Orleans, The Hot Chocolatier, Terminal BrewHouse, The Flying Squirrel and now Cine-Rama already exist nearby, and other shops, tea houses and galleries are in the works.
What was so cool about Market Square is that the former street is closed to traffic, so people could stroll around checking out the restaurants, shops and coffeehouses. People sat outside enjoying a coffee while watching a busker play his accordion while his dog did tricks. They have a weekly farmers market there, as well as live music.
Just around the corner are the Tennessee Theatre and Bijou, so the idea of driving up for a long weekend of live music and dining is likely. During our short visit, we enjoyed a great lunch and talked about coming back to spend more time there. That had never been the case before.
Chattanooga still has more to offer - and will have even more in the future - but it was nice to see another downtown again becoming a cool place to visit and hang out. And it was nice to get an idea of what Station Street might look like in a couple of years.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.