Last Thursday River City Company announced plans to transform the former Bijou Theater into a downtown health and wellness centric hub called “The Block”. This $4 million investment plans to open a flagship store of Rock/Creek Outfitters and High Point Climbing & Fitness among other potential retail spaces with construction beginning in January 2013.
Despite Chattanooga’s reputation as a family friendly tourist attraction for decades, since an Outside Magazine poll deemed Chattanooga “The Best City Ever” in 2011, we’ve very quickly become a recreational junkie’s household name. And with the recent addition of The Crash Pad, a progressive hostel geared toward out-of-town climbers, Chattanooga is now an affordable mecca for all things outdoor. If locals didn’t already know this was our shtick, The Block’s focal point, a giant 16,500 square foot rock wall, will face the Broad Street side of the new development.
High Point Climbing & Fitness will tentatively open to the public in August 2013, so although Chattanooga sits nestled between perfectly climbable mountain ranges The Block will allow visitors, particularly families, to enjoy the famous downtown attractions and enjoy a taste of our outdoor appeal, all the while remaining comfortably indoors.