James Moore hammers on a brick wall while working on what will become 1885 Grill in the former Blacksmith’s Bistro in St. Elmo.The dusty construction workers swing sledgehammers at the 23-inch brick wall and with each collision the bricks crumble, opening a bigger hole in the side of the building.
A few feet away, Miguel Morales watches with his feet spread, arms crossed, a huge grin on his face.
“I’ve dreamt of this for so many years,” he says, shaking his head.
The bricks crumbled at 3914 St. Elmo Ave., where Morales is opening a fresh seafood restaurant: 1885 Grill.
He and business partner Dustin Choate, who owns Tremont Tavern, will occupy the space recently vacated by Blacksmith’s Bistro and Grill, which moved from St. Elmo to downtown Chattanooga.