Emily Crisman

Emily Crisman became a staff writer for the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 2009. She also writes for Chatter Magazine. Emily graduated with a degree in humanities from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2006.

Contact business reporter Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6508.

Chinese restaurant Peking House in Rhea County closes

by Emily Crisman ·February 26, 2026

Peking House, a Chinese restaurant in Dayton, Tennessee, is closing after eight years in business.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The Peking House in Dayton, Tenn., was closed Feb. 26, 2026. The owners made the decision to close due to the cost of rent.

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These neighborhoods have the most expensive homes in the Chattanooga area

by Emily Crisman ·February 19, 2026

Lookout Mountain continues to take the lead as the Chattanooga area's most expensive housing market, according to data from Greater Chattanooga Realtors.

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ A Lookout Mountain home stands for sale at $995,000 on South Bragg Avenue. The home is priced near the $1,056,250 median home price for 2025 in Lookout Mountain, which had the year's highest median home price in the Greater Chattanooga area.

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Chattanooga City Council rejects Avondale condo project in former church

by Emily Crisman ·February 18, 2026

The Chattanooga City Council denied a developer's request to rezone property at 2003 Wilcox Blvd. in Avondale for a $20 million condominium project, emphasizing the need for community input and appropriate development for the neighborhood.

Staff file photo / The exterior of the former Cathedral of Praise is shown on Wilcox Boulevard in Avondale. The Chattanooga City Council denied a developer's request to rezone the property to build a four-story, $20 million condo development opposed by neighborhood residents.

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Price check: Which Chattanooga warehouse club has the lowest prices?

by Emily Crisman ·February 17, 2026

With the recent opening of BJ's Wholesale Club in Hixson, Chattanooga Times Free Press business reporters split up and visited BJ's, Costco and Sam's Club to determine which local warehouse club offers the lowest prices and the best benefits to members.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga resident Tyler Morgan, right, purchases a membership from Jordan Gladden at BJ's Warehouse Club in Hixson.

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Signal Mountain planners postpone vote on 106-home subdivision

by Emily Crisman ·February 6, 2026

The Signal Mountain Planning Commission postponed its vote on whether to approve a proposed 106-home development off of Shackleford Ridge Road for another month, tabling the decision until the board's March 5 meeting.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Planning Commission member Jaime Blanton looks on as engineer Derek Kilday points out features on a map during a meeting of the Signal Mountain planning commission at Signal Mountain Town Hall.

Reviving Westside: Former Chattanooga auto hub ready for new beginnings

by Emily Crisman ·February 3, 2026

A tract on downtown Chattanooga's Westside that for decades was home to an auto dealership is for sale and could be the future site of a large apartment complex or mixed-use development.

Photo by Seth Carpenter/ A vacant property that held an auto dealership for decades on Chattanooga's Westside is now for sale.

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Luxury homes sold better than most in Chattanooga in 2025. These were the most expensive

by Emily Crisman ·January 31, 2026

While Chattanooga area home sales decreased by about 1% overall last year, luxury home sales increased as prices continued to rise and inventory stayed low.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / This 4-bed, 3.5-bath home at 834 Dartmouth St. is selling for $1,095,000.

BJ’s Warehouse Club opens Friday in Hixson

by Emily Crisman ·January 29, 2026

BJ's Wholesale Club is opening its first Chattanooga store at 8 a.m. Friday.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Workers prepare the store for opening at BJ's Warehouse Club in Hixson.

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Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga names 2025 developer of the year

by Emily Crisman ·January 28, 2026

The Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga recently recognized Nerren Pratt, vice president of Pratt Home Builders, as its 2025 developer of the year.

Contributed photo / The Magnolia Farms community by Pratt Home Builders is shown. Vice President Nerren Pratt recently was named 2025 Developer of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga.

Chattanooga area’s first Whataburger opens in East Ridge

by Emily Crisman ·January 26, 2026

The first Chattanooga-area location of Whataburger is now open in East Ridge.