Chattanooga, TN April 2024

Invest In The Best

I can't think of a better way to kick off the month of April than talking about our investments. As I prepare to travel to Italy with my family, I am reminded of the importance of being intentional about where I invest my own time, energy, and finances.

Investing in yourself, your loved ones, your home, your finances, and your overall well-being are all things we are focusing on this Spring. The more intentional we are about investing in our mental and physical health, the more longevity we are accumulating for our future selves. Finding financial resources that can help us plan for the future is one of the most important investments we consider daily. Finding ways to better manage time, reduce stress, and improve our living space allows us to find inner balance and capitalize on our immediate ROIs in life.

Investing in classic wardrobe pieces that will last forever, a timeless piece of art that brings you joy, or quality products that can be passed down for generations to come are just a few things we do not have a problem investing in every day. The importance of investing in your children's education and experiences to bring them future opportunities cannot be understated. Personally, investing in a quality team that will create a wonderful magazine with me each month is one of my favorite investments yet.

This month, we have the distinct pleasure of talking about many ways to explore investments right here in Chattanooga. We visit Park Tower where Southern Spear Properties is reviving the narrative of the historic Park Hotel. We meet the team at NorthShore Financial Strategies who is empowering women with financial confidence. We drop in at GoDog to learn more about their mission to become every dog's happy place and get a glimpse into Antibes, a local boutique experience unlike any other. We also learn about healing bodies broken by trauma from Mirilena Lee of Body Alchemy.

So, join us this Spring in supporting the products and services that our local partners have to offer. It might just be your best investment yet!

Cheers!

Belinda Martin | belinda.martin@citylifestyle.com

Amber Harris, Eve Robles, E.R. Dyal, Kendra Simons, Michelle W. Parnell, P.E. Craven

Christin Sofka Photography, KBenfield Photography, The SimonWest Agency

AMBER HARRIS, PUBLISHER @CHATTANOOGACITYLIFESTYLE

Park Tower

REVIVING THE NARRATIVE OF THE HISTORIC PARK HOTEL

ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL

When he moved to Chattanooga from Florida, Sean Compton, President and Owner of Southern Spear Properties, sensed amazing potential for growth. “I love this area and saw the promise of what was coming,” he shared. “COVID accelerated the growth of Chattanooga because of the quality of life and outdoor living opportunities here, and the pro-business attitude of the state, city, and county leadership has been incredible in that growth.”

With degrees in business and construction science, Compton sees beyond the surface of buildings and identifies the potential in older properties. Over the last few years, Compton and his team have redeveloped over ten properties with the average age of the properties in the range of 110120 years old. “We love the old buildings, the old architecture, and the stories that come with those types of unique projects,” he said. “Because we have a structural background, we can evaluate an older existing structure and find the hidden value in it that others are not willing to spend the time to figure out. We also have in-house engineering and can be efficient with our designs and costs to find a safe, cost-effective way to get the project done without sacrificing quality.”

One current project is Park Tower, a revitalization of the old Park Hotel downtown. “The fact that Park Tower is a nine-story tall solid concrete building is unique in itself for the age in which it was built,” he said. “It was in tremendous shape

and it has such great character. When it was built in 1915, it was the tallest building downtown and it was known as the swankiest hotel in Chattanooga. There is a really great story there that has been lost.”

The multi-function building is based on a concept Compton saw in Miami. “There are all types of uses in one building. There are condos that people live in and hotel rooms that are managed with maid service, so it's truly flexible,” explained Compton. “We saw a similar use for a property like Park Tower, with its incredible views and proximity to so many great restaurants, nightlife, historic theaters, museums, etc. We knew flexibility would be key, not just for us, but for buyers and investors to have ultimate flexibility. So, the building is designed for a full range of functions, providing unparalleled beauty on top of the utility.”

Park Tower will offer forty-two housing units ranging from studio spaces up to large 2 bedroom, 2 bath condos. Units on most floors will have a panoramic 360-degree view of the city and surrounding mountains. The building will include amenities such as an on-site full-time valet/doorman, spa, 24-hour security, gym, coffee shop, juice bar, restaurant, and rooftop bar lounge.

The building’s design concept is GildedIndustrial, which merges elegant touches from the Gilded Age with more modern industrial elements like exposed brick and concrete.

The pandemic accelerated the growth of Chattanooga because of the quality of life and outdoor living opportunities here. The pro-business attitude of the state, city, and county leadership has been incredible in that growth.

With its incredible views and proximity to so many great restaurants, nightlife, historic theaters, museums, etc., we knew flexibility would be key, not just for us, but for buyers and investors to have ultimate flexibility.

“The original concrete will be stained and tinted white, giving it a white marble-like finish,” said Compton. “Crown molding, baseboards, and trim will complement the exposed brick and polished concrete floors. It’s truly the best of both worlds.” State-ofthe-art, high-end appliances and finishes complete the luxury living spaces unlike any other in Chattanooga.

With its central location downtown, Park Tower is within walking distance of not only courthouses and offices, but also the Tivoli Theater, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Market St. Bridge, Chattanooga Aquarium, Hunter Museum of Art, and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga campus.

Other projects in the works for Southern Spear Properties include turning the old Lucy Boiler Company into a new mixed-use development called Lucy Quarter. With construction slated to start in spring 2025, Lucy Quarter will eventually be home to roughly 60,000 square feet of retail and commercial space as well as over 60 townhomes.

In addition to breathing new life into older properties, Compton also invests in people and the local community. Compton, who also owns Tomahawk Crane & Rigging and Southern Spear Ironworks, uses these businesses to pour into the community in many ways, including through several local outreach programs.

The Howard High School Workforce Program provides training and apprenticeships for students, giving them access to learn valuable and marketable skills and equipping the students for a bright, successful, and hope-filled future. Through a partnership with the Silverdale Detention Center Reentry Program, qualified inmates work at Southern Spear Ironworks, learning a trade and earning an income. The goal is to provide inmates with skills to effectively reenter society after incarceration, in return lowering the recidivism rate, which is the rate at which a convicted criminal reoffends.

As Compton continues to invest in the Chattanooga community, he also encourages other entrepreneurs to invest in their dreams. “I started working out of my apartment with a credit card and a little bit of savings,” he shared. “Instead of buying temporary things when I made a little money, I reinvested in myself, my company, and my goals. That reinvestment compounds over time for a much greater return, so keep investing in yourself and your business and you’ll see greater rewards in the long run.”

For more information on Park Tower, which is slated to open in the Fall of 2024, visit parktowerchatt.com or email Parktower@ southernspearproperties.com. For updates and opportunities, visit www.southernspear properties.com, www.TheSouthernSpear.com, and www.TCRcranes.com

LEARN MORE: Park Tower is soon to be Chattanooga’s grandest condominium in downtown. Whether you desire to live in this luxury or secure a long-lasting highly lucrative investment, don’t miss this rare opportunity. All Park Tower condos can be short-term vacation rentals or long-term leases immediately upon completion.

Sweet Tea Vinaigrette

ARTICLE BY 1885 GRILL - ST. ELMO PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIN SOFKA PHOTOGRAPHY

1885 GRILL - ST. ELMO

@1885GRILLSTELMO

WWW.1885GRILL.COM

1885 Grill is a southern coastal restaurant specializing in fresh seafood, quality steaks, and southern sides. We’d love to share our passion for locally grown, fresh food with you.

For this month’s Culinary Creation, 1885 Grill is pleased to feature our sweet tea vinaigrette dressing. We serve it on our spinach salad over caramelized onions, hardboiled egg and bacon.

ingredients

• 1/2 cup sweet tea reduction

• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

• 2 teaspoons honey

• 2 teaspoons creole mustard

• 1 cup olive oil

• few sprigs thyme

directions

1. Make sweet tea according to package directions.

2. Pour tea into a sauce pot and reduce to a cup and a half.

3. In a blender, mix sweet tea reduction, apple cider vinegar, honey and creole mustard.

4. Blend until combined.

5. Slowly add olive oil until emulsified.

6. Serve.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT.

2 OUT OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.

ARTICLE BY P.E. CRAVEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE SIMONWEST AGENCY

strategies NORTHSHORE FINANCIAL

EMPOWERING WOMEN WITH FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE

An all-female investment team, NorthShore Financial Strategies, is blazing a path forward to change the conventional idea of financial advisors by working to empower women with financial confidence.

Crystal Walker and Carrie Turcotte, co-founders and partners of the firm, connected nearly ten years ago when they happened upon each other via LinkedIn, which led to a casual meet-up. The rest, as they say,

At the pinnacle of their mission, Crystal and Carrie have created an environment of empowerment for women in all phases of life, and it all begins with the financial confidence that comes with excellent financial strategy.

is history. “Crystal and I feel like we complement each other,” explained Carrie.

The mission at NorthShore Financial Strategies is to help clients through all of life’s major transitions. Crystal and Carrie explain that their goal from the start was to help women prepare for the complexities of retirement, divorce, or the loss of a loved one by giving them the confidence to understand their finances.

One of the ways NorthShore Financial Strategies is achieving this mission is by stacking their team with talented women who excel in tailoring their services to their clientele.

“Carrie and I realize that women often feel that male advisors don’t understand information provided to them as female investors. We are on a mission to close that gap,” says Crystal. Advisors at the firm encourage their clients to feel empowered by financial management, emphasizing that clients shouldn’t feel fearful of their finances, even during a life transition.

NorthShore Financial Strategies is committed to helping women “own their choices, honor themselves, and live their adventure.”

As we researched the firm, it was encouraging to see the abundance of resources provided for clients. From global market reports to weekly commentary on the market, NorthShore Financial Strategies prides itself on offering thorough resources. It’s clear that part of their plan for building confidence in women lies in education. Carrie explains that she always encourages clients who are just looking for financial advisors to “be curious because not every advisor is right for every client and vice versa.”

At the pinnacle of their mission, Crystal and Carrie have created an environment of empowerment for women in all phases of life, and it all begins with the financial confidence that comes with excellent financial strategy.

To learn more about NorthShore Financial Strategies, visit their website: www.nsfinancialstrategies.com

Connecting with My Roots

THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERATIONAL FAMILY TRADITIONS

As I prepare to travel to Italy with my family, I am reminded of the importance of being intentional about how and where I invest my time, energy, and finances. Growing up in a family with deep Italian roots, I have grown fond of learning about generational traditions. I am not sure of too many other families that have risotto at Thanksgiving dinner!

Hearing stories of how our ancestors lived in a beautiful, mountainside town in Northern Italy, I always longed for a chance to experience their culture in person. Throughout the years, we would exchange handwritten letters with the matriarch of our Italian family, Francesca, and hear how their families were doing. In June of 2016, a group of 16 Chicagoans boarded a plane headed to Rome, Italy to meet the cousins we had only heard about in postcards.

The trip lasted ten days and we had the opportunity to travel across the country, beginning in Rome, making our way up to Malo and ending up on the Amalfi Coast. When we finally arrived at our family’s home, it was an absolutely breathtaking moment to see all nineteen of them waiting for us on their doorstep.

Every detail of this experience has held a significant place in my mind and heart from the moment I left. Not only did I get to visit one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, but I was able to invest my time and energy into learning more about the generational traditions I grew up with and why it is important to honor them. Now, almost eight years later, I am going back to see the family I have kept in touch with and, of course, to celebrate Francesca’s 98th birthday.

As I get older and gain a better sense of prioritizing what I am investing my time and finances in, connecting with my roots will always be one of them.

ARTICLE BY AMBER HARRIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIN SOFKA PHOTOGRAPHY

Reimagine your child’s day.

Learn about our SHINE method at thestanleyschools.com.

GODOG

On a Mission to Become Every Dog's Happy Place

ARTICLE BY EVE ROBLES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE SIMONWEST AGENCY

Unlike any other facility in town, GoDog is swiftly establishing itself as Chattanooga’s top pet destination. Since opening in Fall of 2022, GoDog continues to make its mark as a one-stop shop offering grooming, daycare, overnight boarding, and a dog park bar all on one campus.

We believe that love is a verb–and we show our love for dogs by how we care for them.

“Our tagline is 'We love your dog.' We believe that love is a verb – and we show our love for dogs by how we care for them. Our staff are dog professionals who are continually improving their skills and knowledge,” Campus Director, Jaimie Shaw, proudly boasts.  With a large and hygiene conscience state-of-the-art campus, GoDog “invested in tools such as an aquavac system and medical grade HVAC system for the facility to keep our campus looking, feeling, and smelling clean.”

At GoDog, safety and fun are prioritized.  By partnering with local breweries, menu items not only include local craft brews, but also non-alcoholic options for both dogs and humans alike.  GoDog intentionally bridges community relationships by hosting a variety of weekly social events that range from breed-specific meetups,

free entry days, small dog Sundays and drink specials.  “The ethos at GoDog is all about community. From building a strong team of employees, and a social space for the community to gather and exercise their dogs, to partnering with and supporting rescues, shelters, and other locally owned businesses - we value our community.”

GoDog stands out for its deliberate effort in crafting a space that feels like a close second to home.  Another key principle at GoDog, Shaw explains, “With home being the first place, at GoDog we want to be the second place for dogs. We want to be every dog's Happy Place. They can come to play at daycare while their parents are working, run around in the park while their parents have a drink, have a sleepover when their parents are away, and go home smelling clean. We see it all day long as dogs are pulling their humans

into our doors because they can’t get inside fast enough. We’re the second place – or the “happy place” for dogs.”

You can trust that daycare and overnight boarding with GoDog provide a premium experience. With a trained and caring staff, each animal gets the type of individualized care and attention they need.  “Our staff are very observant.  They are great about noticing when pets are stressed or anxious and will take measures to make them more comfortable.”  Open communication between pet parents and staff is another key aspect of ensuring top-notch service at GoDog.  Shaw continues “I have often received responses from pet parents thanking us for our attentiveness and reports.  We really strive to stand out and provide a unique experience.”

“The most rewarding aspect of my job is building relationships with our customers –the dogs and their humans. It is so rewarding to chat with our customers while they are waiting for their dogs and then see their happy reunion at the end of the day.” With mounting glowing reviews, GoDog is turning itself into a community staple offering a one-of-a-kind experience for both humans and animals.  It is more than a place to bring your pet, it is a community hub that cares deeply about the animals they serve.

ANTIBES

A BOUTIQUE EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

ARTICLE BY EVE ROBLES | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIN SOFKA PHOTOGRAPHY

Located in downtown Chattanooga’s chic West Village, Antibes offers its clientele a boutique experience like no other.  “Each detail from the shop’s tone and design, the curated collections of color and texture to the artistry in exceptional shoes, jewelry, and accessories combines to create a special shopping getaway. For even more pampering, we offer stylists to assist in creating perfect looks for special occasions, travel, or daily lifestyle,” shared owner Silvinia Peralta-Ramos.  From everyday and business looks to formal elegance, Antibes showcases over 90 designers to create a unique collection of pieces to fit every style.

Forging lasting relationships, Antibes’ focal point is its clientele. “Our greatest joy comes from a client lighting up when they see themselves in clothes that are exactly right. They feel the power and energy that comes from dressing oneself well.  And in spirit, they are who we carry with us to the apparel markets. We choose what we know they’ll love!”

Silvina emphasizes, “In this world of hurry up, work harder, and neglect of self-care, a sanctuary of beauty is more important than ever.” Antibes meticulously creates an experience that embodies comfort, style and joy. “Every detail at Antibes, from the collections we gather, our displays, the background music, the beauty you discover as soon as you walk in, treats your senses to a respite from the day.”

To learn more about Antibes, visit their storefront and mention this feature for a special 20% discount off one full-priced item or their website: www.antibesclothing.com

MUSIC MONTHLY

Whether it’s with Strung Like a Horse, Tennessee’s Dead, or jamming with friends at local events, Tyler Martelli is an integral part of Chattanooga’s music scene.

At just nine years old, Martelli’s father gave him his first guitar and was blown away at his ability to teach himself by just listening to the greats like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. During our interview, Martelli spoke of his incredible gratitude to Danimal Pinson, Adam Stone, and Joel Forlines for where he is today—a testament to the loving and genuine character he has shown to his fans, friends, and the community.

When asked about how music has impacted him, true to Martelli form, he responded, “It just makes everyone happy. I see people I know and some I don’t know at shows and they are just letting go. I love that and being a part of that. It’s like church.”

With a passion for the continuously developing music scene, Martelli fights diligently to advocate for the industry on issues from fair pay to collaboration. He ended our interview with advice not just for musicians and creatives, but for everyone stating, “Don’t ever stop. That’s it!”

What's next for Tyler Martelli and Strung Like a Horse?

Martelli told us that his entirely self-produced record with Strung Like a Horse is dropping this summer and you can also catch him playing every Sunday at Barrel House Ballroom from 1PM-4PM with Danimal and Joel Forlines!

ARTICLE BY KENDRA SIMONS PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE SIMONWEST AGENCY

Tyler Martelli

BODY ALCHEMY

ARTICLE BY E.R. DYAL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KBENFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

Healing the Relationship with Bodies Broken by Trauma

Mirilena Lee knows all about the healing power of touch, especially when it relates to traumatic events. The physical body can house trauma as much as the mind and needs healing as well.

This is what Body Alchemy is all about—healing the body in a safe, informative space. “My practice is a multi-modality therapeutic practice. What that means is that I have a lot of doorways people can walk to or walk through for their healing,” Lee told us. “Breathwork, massage therapy, stretch therapy, those are all things that can help people process trauma in the physical body without reliving the trauma in the cognitive mind.”

Mirilena is clear, however, that this is not a replacement of therapy, but something to be used in conjunction. A special technique she often uses is fascial stretch therapy, a painfree technique that allows the client to remain fully clothed. “It’s really phenomenal for trauma survivors from all walks of life because it’s not as vulnerable as massage where you disrobe and they also get to be an active participant in the process,” Lee explains.

A survivor herself, Mirilena knows how vital it is for those overcoming trauma to feel safe in their own bodies. After all, the power of touch is more than just healing, it is a necessary part of life. As Lee puts it, “Touch is a basic human need.”

REALTY REPORT

Signal Mountain

East Chattanooga

Cleveland Lookout Mountain Black Creek

Soddy Daisy

Signal Mountain

events

APRIL 4TH, 11TH, & 25TH

Live Music at Feed Table & Tavern

Feed Table & Tavern | 6:30 PM

Come enjoy live music on the covered patio at Feed Table & Tavern: Mark Andrew (April 4), Zech Dallas (April 11), and Barron Wilson (April 25).

APRIL 19TH

Shruptine's Gallery Open House

Shruptine's Gallery | 12:00 PM

In conjunction with the Broad Street Design District Block Party, Shuptrine’s Gallery will host an Open House. Along with several other businesses, will be welcoming visitors all day until 7:30PM.  At 5:30PM, a block party will kick off!  Visitors will be able to enjoy food coffee, flowers, and other vendors, as well as mingle with Broad Street business owners.

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