News Summary

Sticky Fingers BBQ Restaurant has permanently closed its location on Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga due to bankruptcy proceedings. Once a popular dining establishment for over 25 years, the restaurant’s closure is a crucial development in the shifting landscape of the local food scene. With rising operational costs affecting multiple businesses, this closure highlights ongoing challenges for dining establishments in the area and reflects wider trends impacting the restaurant industry.

Chattanooga

Sticky Fingers BBQ Restaurant has permanently closed its doors on Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga, effective immediately. The closure comes as a result of a court mandate linked to the restaurant’s bankruptcy proceedings. The company, which had been a staple in the area for over 25 years, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March and subsequently transitioned to Chapter 7 liquidation.

The last operational site in Chattanooga was located at 420 Broad Street and employed 36 staff members. The decision to shut down the restaurant was confirmed by the company’s chief operating officer, Ashlee Geier.

Background of the Restaurant

Sticky Fingers was established in 1992 by Baylor School alumni Chad Walldorf, Jeff Goldstein, and Todd Eischeid. At the height of its success, the chain boasted 23 locations and over 1,000 employees throughout the southern United States. However, the brand has faced significant challenges in recent years. The downtown Greenville, South Carolina location closed in June, and another Chattanooga location at Hamilton Place Mall was shuttered in 2020 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, later replaced by Taco Mamacita.

Currently, the chain retains only one remaining location in North Charleston, South Carolina. The recent closure in Chattanooga highlights broader trends affecting dining establishments in the downtown area, where several other restaurants, including Taco Mac and Thai Smile, have also closed recently, primarily due to rising operational costs.

Impact on the Community and Future Considerations

The closure of Sticky Fingers BBQ is part of a worrying trend in downtown Chattanooga, where restaurants are struggling with high parking costs and decreased foot traffic. These conditions have made it difficult for businesses to attract local customers. Despite these challenges, the downtown area is seeing some new establishments opening, and there are ongoing investments aiming to rejuvenate the space. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has prioritized reforms concerning private parking operators, an issue that affects many local businesses.

Geier has noted that the team at Sticky Fingers demonstrated remarkable resilience and support for one another throughout these trying times as the restaurant navigated its financial struggles.

As Sticky Fingers BBQ closes its location in Chattanooga, other eateries such as Naked River Brewing and Big River Grille have similarly ceased operations, underscoring the challenges faced by the food service industry in this region. However, with a focus on growth and investment in the downtown area, there may be hope for a turnaround in the local economy, although it will require significant effort from stakeholders.

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Additional Resources

• Times Free Press
• Local 3 News
• News Channel 9
• Greenville Online
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Sticky Fingers

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.