It’s no secret that the Southside is becoming a hip place to be. With new developments popping up and a dedicated group of cheerleaders, Main Street’s bisecting streets are starting to carry some of that spirit throughout the Southside. Williams Street has given a bit of a definition to the block and the vacancy of Clyde’s Auto Shop is sure to be prime real estate for Southside’s next blockbuster.
Enzo’s Market
1501 Long Street
There was a time when Main Street held small grocers and butchers, if you ask Enzo’s Market owner Sam Turner. He remembers them as a child. “If you look, there is a lack of grocery anywhere here; there’s really a food desert (downtown),” Turner says. That’s why he brought the new market, complete with trendy fare, to the Southside. In its opening weeks, Enzo’s has attracted shoppers from all over Chattanooga and surrounding areas-extending far beyond the Southside’s food desert.
“It’s the type of store we are. We are one of a kind; we offer regular products and organic goods. Local products are our primary focus,” Turner says. That’s no joke. My eyes wandered to a case of Milk and Honey gelato-and that fellow local spot has been open only a few months itself. Pure Sodaworks bottles, Bluff View Bakery items and an array of local coffees dot the shelves. And when he says that he offers regular goods, he means it. Flavors of Jell-o share shelves with gluten-free, organic goods. Don’t miss a treat from the bakery or any of the other made-in-house deli items- take your coworkers and have lunch on the patio for a Southside treat.
The Camp House, Mission Exchange Thrift Store and Mission Chattanooga
1427 Williams Street
At first glance, Camp House Espresso looks like a specialty coffee shop. A barista chats you up, pastries tempt you from the case and the aroma of coffee in the clean warehouse space is warm and comforting. But when you look closer, you can see a whole lot more than coffee beans fills this space. Mission Chattanooga is the brains behind the operation, a mission group bringing a little enlightenment to the Southside. In the rear of the space is Mission Exchange, a local thrift store fueled by members of the ministry and patrons of The Camp House. Most nights, there’s live music and a weekly schedule of events keeps the space busy. But on Sundays, the space transforms for the church’s three services.
Seeing more than 300 members a week, the space is truly growing. “We really want to be this community center, to have people come here and share space,” says Aaron Rauch, head barista. “We want to serve the best coffee in the area.”
The Hot Chocolatier
201 W. Main Street, Suite 101
So far I’ve described pastries as tempting and bakery goods as treats, so there should be no surprise that I found Hot Chocolatier downright divine. The local and popular chocolate shop has been on my list for a long time, but I resisted, knowing what would become of me if I stepped through those doors. I tried to pass off this instance as research for an upcoming dinner party and as a work assignment, but I left with a cake and a box of truffles.
While trying to make up your mind, take a look at the chocolate-making process, visible through a glass window next to the display case. Like a real-life Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, my eyes grew wide in amazement. I quickly asked what was popular and left with an assortment of chocolates. The strawberry-basil truffle is a refreshing and interesting treat, but as a Reese’s fan, the chocolate peanut butter truffle was sinful.
Chrysalis
1401 Williams Street, Suite 101
Around the corner from The Camp House, bright blue banners lead you to a refreshing store. Chrysalis is a home decor and gifts kind of shop, but in the May heat, the store isn’t just a place to cool off. Curated items are organized in displays for purchase. Candles and picture frames are aplenty, but unique items like coasters featuring some of Chattanooga’s favorite landmarks are worth shopping. The store carries items made of Mariposa, a recycled aluminum element that looks like silver, without all of the polish work involved.
The store extends into back rooms full of entertaining supplies and you can also access neighboring Southern Antiques through the hallway.