Yesterday's, a popular downtown restaurant for nearly three decades before its closing, is now looking to the future, and not just with the renamed Tomorrow Building's new moniker.
Jack Brown's Beer and Burger joint will open at the site this spring.
The Virginia-based restaurant chain, which bills itself as "a bar that sells a great burger," features a variety of craft beers and currently operates 10 restaurants in Tennessee, Alabama and Virginia. The new Chattanooga location on the ground floor of the newly renovated Tomorrow Building at Georgia Avenue and Patten Parkway will be the third Tennessee location for Jack Brown's after the company opened bars in Germantown and Murfreesboro, Tenn.
"Chattanooga is one of those towns that's always been on our radar," Aaron Ludwig, one of the founders of Jack Brown's, said in a statement. "We also love the history of the Tomorrow building, especially because it was home to the legendary Yesterday's for so many years."
Jack Brown's touts its hamburgers as 100 percent all natural Wagyu beef.
"Don't ask for lettuce and tomato - our burgers are prepared simple and basic," the company says in its menu. "Our specials are a creative twist on an American classic."
The restaurant chain has only opened in old, historic buildings, Ludwig said. The Tomorrow Building dates back to 1888 and for many years was the site of the Ross Hotel.
"They have the character and architecture that matches our unique approach," Ludwig said about the developers renovating the 129-year-old building. "Then, when you throw in the geographic proximity to our other locations, we knew Chattanooga and the Tomorrow Building were going to be a perfect fit."
Lamp Post Properties, which has developed the Tomorrow Building with 39 residential "micro-living" apartments on the top three floors, also announced that local juice bar Southern Sqweeze will relocate from Miller Plaza to the ground floor of the Tomorrow Building, and art house theater Palace Picture House will temporarily move into space on the third floor.
"The Tomorrow Building offers much needed space in a wonderfully innovative building," said Kelsey Vasileff, owner of Southern Sqweeze. "We're so passionate about educating and informing as many people as possible about how they can incorporate healthier options into their life, so it was a no-brainer."
Palace Picture House, owned and operated by Chris Dortch and Rose Cox, shows indie, classic, obscure, genre and cult classic movies of all types. The space will also house a gallery component entirely run and curated by local artists.
Dortch and Cox also ran Cinerama at its Southside location and organized the Chattanooga Film Festival.
"To us, one of the greatest parts of living in Chattanooga is how forward-thinking it is," Dortch said. "The entire idea of the Tomorrow Building and what it represents for the growing community of young professionals, creatives and creators in this city is something we actively sought to be a part of. The folks at Lamp Post Properties really understood our vision for the art house and have helped us make it a reality."
The Tomorrow Building has begun leasing the residential floors and the first eight tenants have already moved into the building even as construction continues on the first floor, according to Stephanie Hays with Lamp Post Properties.
Email Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com.