1885 Grill Closes St. Elmo Location

ST. ELMO, Tenn. (WDEF) – After more than a decade in St. Elmo, 1885 Grill is closing its flagship restaurant, effective immediately.

“We made the difficult decision to close our St. Elmo location,” the owners said in a recent Facebook statement. “Ongoing building challenges and changes involving the property made it clear that we were no longer aligned in vision or direction. While this was not an easy choice, it is necessary for the long-term health of our brand and our team.”

The restaurant first opened its doors in 2013, aiming to create a neighborhood gathering place centered around fresh meats, seasonal vegetables, and thoughtfully crafted drinks. 

Over the years, it became a staple in St. Elmo, hosting family dinners, date nights, anniversaries, birthdays, and countless community moments.

“We are deeply grateful for our dedicated staff who have brought our vision to life each day,” the statement continued. “All of our hosts, cooks, servers, and bartenders have been offered positions at our Ooltewah location, as well as at our new restaurant in downtown Chickamauga, a building we are proud to have purchased as part of our next chapter.”

The new Chickamauga location, named 1885 Grill, is expected to open in late spring. 

The restaurant says it looks forward to welcoming both longtime patrons and new guests while continuing to serve the community.

Even as the St. Elmo chapter closes, the owners say their commitment to the neighborhood and the greater Chattanooga area remains strong. 

“We will continue to play an active role in fundraising efforts for local nonprofits,” they said.

“Although this decision is deeply painful, we are reflecting with gratitude for all we have experienced and for what lies ahead,” the statement concluded. 

“Thank you for helping turn a dream into reality and for allowing us the privilege of serving you in St. Elmo. We look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones in the years to come.”