Hey Chattanooga, Brianna + Kristen here. Between the two of us, we get the privilege of sharing local news, events, and conversations with 40,000+ readers in Chattanooga, daily — here, and on our socials.
Since we’ve had a lot of changes on the team, we thought we should formally introduce ourselves. Consider this us going in for a fist bump, then switching to a handshake, then settling on a hug.
Meet Kristen Templeton 🪴
Q: You can only choose one local restaurant menu to bring with you to a deserted island — which one is it + why?
A: Without a single hesitation, I would choose Boccaccia’s menu. Everything I have ever tried there from the handmade pasta, wine + dessert has been absolutely divine.
Q: What were the last three things you did downtown?
A: I had breakfast at Kenny’s (you can’t go wrong with the breakfast burrito), met a friend for coffee at Mean Mug’s Main Street location, and picked up some veggies at the Main Street Farmers Market.
Q: If you could only write about one Chattanooga-specific topic for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: I love writing and reading the Q+As with Chattanooga locals. Getting to sit down and hear the stories of some of the unique, creative, and inspiring individuals in our community is such a special thing to be able to do.
Meet Brianna Williams 🐄
Q: If you were taking someone on a tour around Chattanooga, where are the three places you’re going?
A: If they’ve never been here before, I’d take them on a hike to Sunset Rock or Edward’s Point, depending on the season (Edward’s Point in the summer, so that we can stop at Rainbow Lake); the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Tennessee Aquarium, Hunter Museum, or Songbirds Foundation, depending on their mood; and finally, we’d grab a drink at Whiskey Thief for some panoramic river views or Unknown Caller + Cherry Street Tavern for the cool Cooper’s Alley vibe.
Q: What are your tips for parking downtown on a weekend night?
A: Don’t get there until after 6 p.m. At most (not all — please, please check first) downtown street spots, parking after 6 is free, even on weekends. Plus, most street spots in downtown Chattanooga are free all day on Sunday. My best tip is to find a spot + stay there — utilize Bike Chattanooga’s bike system if you’re trying to get from one end of downtown to the other without walking.
Q: What’s something every new Chattanoogan oughta know about?
A: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, The Chattery is such a cool resource for Chattanoogans interested in learning something new. The ChattLab Makerspace is another incredible local space, and for the newbies wanting a view, one of my favorite spots that’s often not too crowded is Falling Waterfalls.
