The Chattanooga Red Wolves SC is opening a corporate office and retail store in East Ridge about a half mile east of where team owner Bob Martino plans to develop a $125 million stadium, housing and commercial development along Interstate 75.
Martino bought a 6,144-square-foot commercial building at 6739 Ringgold Road for the new facility, which will serve both as the front office for the professional soccer team and a place to buy team merchandise, soccer specific gear and equipment.
"Our vision is providing a great professional soccer experience for our region and investing in our communities like East Ridge," Martino said in a statement today. "While we're building our state-of-the art, soccer specific stadium, we wanted a space for our region's fans, supporters and business partners, where they can interact with the team and front office, browse Red Wolves merchandise and soccer gear. This location will also provide easier access to our fans just down the road in Dalton."
Martino paid $435,000 in April to acquire the two-story Ringgold Road facility and will open the new facility in mid-June for the first time. The store will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on select weekends and will operate in addition to the Red Wolves storefront at 411 Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga.
"We're proud to continue to invest in East Ridge with the opening of our second corporate office and team store," said Martino. "The proximity to our training facilities and future stadium make this space a great opportunity for our community to interact with our team beyond the field."
Founded in 2018, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC is a USL League One founding member. The team, which is coached by Tim Hankinson and led by company president Sean McDaniel, plans to construct a 5,500-seat soccer-specific stadium in East Ridge for the 2020 season.
The Red Wolves are playing the inaugural season at David Stanton Field at Chattanooga Christian School while the stadium is being built.