Years ago, Raquetta Dotley had an idea. Or, maybe it was God's idea. Who knows.

Either way, she knew the old Big H store in Alton Park — once thriving, now decaying — needed some life and love. It was a physical representation of a generational wound: the birds of development and attention fly high in this city, but they often fly elsewhere.

Not Alton Park.

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When we first visited the Big H, a local artist had laid renderings of the Stations of the Cross outside. How fitting.

Now, after years of death and dying, the place is being reborn.

"After years of planning, partnership, construction and community support, we are excited to officially open the doors to Cocoa Cafe!" Raquetta declared on Monday, as the new coffee-shop + meeting house opened.

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We'd stop by every few weeks during the renovation to say hi. The city councilwoman's presence alone is a gift; you always leave feeling better about the world.

To create Cocoa Cafe, she assembled a vast relationships of friends and supporters. This is what Chattanooga does best.

Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. Sankofa Fund. The city. Rev. Dr. Glenn and Cora Taylor. Sommerville Cottages.

And the wonderful Jeff Cannon of Tucker Build.

All came together to turn the blighted Big H into the beautiful Cocoa Cafe.

"Built around Coffee. Culture. Community. Cocoa Cafe transforms a previously blighted property into a community-centered business designed to create connection and economic opportunity in South Chattanooga," Raquetta said. "The cafe will serve breakfast, lunch, coffee, and specialty beverages while also providing community gathering space, kitchen incubator opportunities, and support for food truck entrepreneurs."

A year or so ago, we stood in the bones of the place. All we could hold onto was Raquetta's vision.

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"They're going to feel the true heart of Alton Park," she said at the time. "To me, it's the love of God. To feel the love and know you're accepted.

"St. Elmo, East Lake, downtown, south Chattanooga, this is the place you come. You are welcome here, Cocoa Cafe, a community cafe."

And now, the vision opens its doors.

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More good news.

Many of you know Lyric Lewin, the photographer and journalist who was the Times Free Press's outstanding food writer. Not long ago, after ownership changed, she left her job.

She's dynamite as an artist and, more importantly, a human being. Chattanooga's fortunate to have her.

Now, post-Times Free Press, Lyric's doubling-down on her Substack, called Forthright Food + Foto.

Here's her most recent story on the State of Hunger.

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And on Tuesday, she published about Oui Oui Boulangerie, the new French bistrot, where she works as Communications Director.

Last words from today's Leftovers come from her. How good is this opening?

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.

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