In the six years that I’ve been in Chattanooga, I have seen a lot of changes. More houses being developed, the new Erlanger Stadium, businesses that have come and others that have closed.
But I recently noticed one neighborhood that is undergoing significant changes. The Mill Town neighborhood was nothing more than a massive old building with older deteriorating homes around it.
Originally that neighborhood was the Oak Grove neighborhood between Main Street and East 23rd Street, and between Dodds Ave., and Kelly Street. But if you drive around that area today it looks much different than even six years ago.
That massive building is still there. According to the neighborhood’s developer’s website it was the Standard Coosa Thatcher Mill, a massive, historic textile manufacturing facility that served as an icon of the region's industrial strength for much of the 20th century.
According to Chattanoogahistory.com, Standard, Coosa and Thatcher were three separate mills located directly beside each other. Coosa and Thatcher Spinning plants processed the incoming raw cotton and eventually spun the cotton to a finished yarn, which would be transported to the Standard Processing Plant for further refining and dyeing.
The first mill was founded in 1916, it was one of the largest cotton spinning and dyeing refineries in the Southeast, employing thousands of workers and forming a tight-knit community around the site along Watkins Street. The industry started to dwindle in the 1980’s and the Mill was in 2003. The building and the neighborhood sat vacant and became unsightly and run down.
Thanks to the partnership of Collier Construction, the Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise and the Benwood Foundation, the entire area is now filled with brand new homes and townhouses and is being completely revitalized as Mill Town. The former Mill, a 350,000-square-foot site that is on the National Register of Historical Places, is undergoing a transformation into a mixed-use development, including apartments, retail, and office spaces, according to Collier Construction.
According to their website, the subsequent tax increase generated by the 600 market-rate units and redevelopment of the decaying Mill building will generate over $1.2 million annually in property tax revenues supporting schools and infrastructure throughout the city. It’s just amazing to look across Dodds Ave. toward Watkins Street and see everything looking brand new and the former Mill slowly being brought back to life.
One of my favorite barbeque joints sits on the edge of Mill Town. Barque, formerly Charlie’s BBQ, offers some of the best ribs, brisket, pulled pork and more cooked to perfection by the first female pitmaster I’ve ever met in person, Megan Roberson. She learned her trade from former general manager and professional chef Marcus Willis.
Roberson worked at Charlie’s for a long time, but when one of the owners of Charlie’s BBQ died, the new owner, Ed Ryan hired Willis and Roberson became his protégé. When Willis left, she became the head chef, or in this case pitmaster. I love their loaded baked potato with brisket and a cold beer on their patio bar outside. Or their ribs with a side of potato salad and collard greens.
Now, I’ve heard but have yet to try the Murder Burger served at Lo Main just two doors down from Barque. Two smashed beef patties, American cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, curry mayo, chipotle crema on a brioche bun. The folks at Lo Main take pride in serving high-quality food. They don’t serve any fried foods and don’t ask for ketchup. They have a selection of beer to pick from, and you get to dine in what is an older historic house.
In between Barque and Lo Main is Yellow Racket Records. Owner Ben VanderHart founded his own independent record label and sells a variety of vinyl records and turntables. Folks flock to the store every year on National Record Sale Day and on special occasions you can enjoy live local musicians in the store’s back room. Recently the owner hosted Country singer Amy Grant for an intimate session for his customers.
On Dodds Ave., you’ll find El Paraiso Restaurant Latin Kitchen Hibachi. It’s a place where you can enjoy authentic Mexican Cuisine or Hibachi plates with chicken, steak and shrimp or a combination of all three. Right nest door is another Mexican restaurant that’s been around for two decades called Taqueria La Bonita. On the corner of Main and Dodds, you’ll find Sleepyhead Coffee. Of course, they serve coffee and drinks, but they specialize in serving vegan pastries.
The Backyard Nursery will help Mill Town newcomers find the perfect plant or flower for their new home. New homeowners to the area can also visit Furniture and Merchandise Outlet on East Main and pick out the perfect couch.
Collier Construction is inviting the community to visit Mill Town and tour their available homes at the first annual Mill Town Street Fest set for Wednesday August 12, from 4-8 p.m. There will be music, food, and community. Tour four model homes along a self-guided route, grab food from local trucks, and enjoy live music. The fun starts on South Watkins Street between Main Street and 23rd Street.