A new-to-the-Chattanooga area upscale sports grill is coming to East Ridge and to downtown's riverfront, with eventual plans for three locations, according to one of the owners.
Jonathan's Grille, which now has seven sites in and around Nashville, will open its first local restaurant at Jordan Crossing at Exit 1 of Interstate 75 in East Ridge.
"It's a home run site," said Curt Revelette, who owns Jonathan's Grille with brother Mason.
He cited the existing Bass Pro Shop as well as plans for a Topgolf entertainment complex nearby and the Chattanooga Red Wolves soccer stadium and related development going up across I-75.
Also, Revelette said Camp Jordan with its youth athletic fields is "a huge boost."
John Healy of Jordan Crossing developer Wolftever Development said his group pursued Jonathan's Grille.
"It's a group we went after," he said. "We think it will be a great fit."
Healy said Jonathan's Grille is a regional draw.
"Having a restaurant and sports bar concept now in the market can be attractive to those people coming for entertainment and shopping for families," he said.
Revelette said plans are to break ground next month with an opening around September in a $3 million project that will employ about 60 employees when finished.
Meanwhile, in 2021, Revelette said he's aiming for another Jonathan's Grill to open in downtown Chattanooga at the site of the former 212 Market restaurant on Market Street.
About six months ago, the Nashville restaurateurs bought that vacant restaurant location near the Tennessee Aquarium for $1.35 million, according to the Hamilton County Register of Deeds.
In addition, Revelette said they're looking for a third location.
Downtown Chattanooga reminds him of Nashville before much of its growth, he said.
"It has much potential," Revelette said.
Healy said the 8,000-square-foot restaurant in East Ridge that will seat close to 300 patrons also will hold a lot of outdoor space. It will locate between the existing Hampton Inn and a new Starbucks, he said.
"We'd been looking for some time for the right fit," Healy said. "With the hotel and the park, we know we'd need to find the right concept for full service."
Jonathan's Grille was started in 1999 and was run by the Revelette's parents until about a decade ago when the brothers took over the business.
Healy said the Topgolf complex is slated to open in late spring or early summer. Also, Jordan Crossing has added a Buddy's Bar-B-Q restaurant.
Jordan Crossing sits in East Ridge's Border Region District. That 940-acre district around Exit 1 and Ringgold Road is designed to encourage commercial development by offering incentives to builders.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.