Songbirds Museum leaving the Choo Choo for a new home on Main

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The changes coming to the old Chattanooga Choo Choo include the end of the Songbirds museum in their original location.

Songbirds opened as a guitar museum and concert venue on Station Street in 2015.

But operators have announced they will shut it down on Christmas Eve to re-open just three blocks away on Main Street.

The new location is 212 W. Main Street across from Feed, Co.

That space is a private venue right now, but will open as the new Songbirds next spring.

The operators will preview the new space at this year’s MainX24 event.

They say it will include new music history exhibits, concerts and rental space for private events.

The new location is on the ground floor (unlike their current one) and offers a full kitchen, two bars and outdoor patio.

Songbirds officials say the move will help their future goals, but came about because they could not strike a new deal with the new owners of the Choo-Choo property.

The hotel is reopening as the Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo later this month.

“The decision to move was a difficult one. We have been an anchor on Station Street from the very beginning. I mean, when we began work on the Songbirds museum in 2015 the street was just a dirt alley,” said Executive Director Reed Caldwell. “We have come a long way and helped bring life to the road and the Southside neighborhood. I am proud of what our team has accomplished. That said, it is time for us to move on. The new space on Main Street is already the coolest hidden spot in town, and we can’t wait to share it with the public!”

Songbirds will continue their music education mission for children.

The Guitars for Kids program has now expanded to nine states.

They have given more than 4,000 guitars to under-served students.

They want to create a mobile unit for STEAM classrooms in Hamilton County Schools and creating a new Songwriters in Schools program.