Barry CourterEvery so often it's interesting to sit back and try to take a big-picture view of how things have changed around town. It's something I've done for at least the last decade and, to be sure, there have been many changes. Most of them have been positive.
From a purely entertainment and lifestyle point of view, you'd have to say things have gotten better in that time. But the recent closings of Porker's BBQ near the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Raw Dance Club and Henpecked Chicken next to Jack's Alley sort of raised a flag, or at least an eyebrow, if only because they came within days of each other.
There have been dozens of stories in the last few years about the increased quantity and quality of live entertainment available here. We have more choices when it comes to dining out, especially when it comes to ethnic restaurants, and we have more quality restaurants than we've ever had in our area.
We also seem to have discovered that we are blessed with an abundance of things to do in the great outdoors. Maybe it's more accurate to say we've discovered more and better ways to enjoy them. The river has been there for awhile, but we haven't always had kayaks and paddleboard rental shops so readily available.
As more and more people have discovered, you can come to Chattanooga and spend a couple hours on the river or lake, then do a little mountain biking or hiking before heading out for a nice dinner and maybe a concert or show. Chattanooga has become a popular destination.
Locals have figured it out as well, of course. But the recent closings of those three restaurants and a closer look at the live music scene - which reveals that we still do not have a vibrant local club scene with a place where local bands can consistently play and be heard - says that not everything is rainbows and unicorns.
We are a growing city with a lot of very cool things happening, but we are not a big enough city to support everything, and it can be argued that demand has to support supply. I get that and agree with it. I'm just pointing out that we have a growing number of really talented artists in town who have come to enjoy what everyone else does here.
I'm a firm believer in supply and demand and that live music venues, like other businesses, are in it to make money. If more people wanted a club that showcased local music, we'd have one. The truth is the Southside has become the place where the majority of people now go to eat and be entertained, so it's as much a shift as it is an increase perhaps.
Just an observation.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.