Legal problems, an ownership transfer and recent persistent crime continue to haunt Shady’s Corner.
The Chattanooga Beer Board announced in January it would seek no further action against the local bar and restaurant, even after hearing resident complaints as far back as August 2023.
The Beer Board recommended local residents will have to band together to take action to close the bar.
“Ten or more citizens can bring an action to enforce a public nuisance,” Associate Attorney Zach Atchley said during a January Beer Board meeting. “They can go directly to Chancery Court.”
The Beer Board recommended citizens hire legal representation should they take action.
The controversial Southside bar was subject in 2025 to a false bomb threat, an employee drug arrest, a drunken drive-by shooting, and a sexual assault resulting from a spiked drink.
According to Chattanooga Police Department crime reports, on the night of Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, police were informed that the front passenger in a silver Dodge Charger pointed a firearm out of the window and discharged it into the air several times while traveling at the intersection of Cemetery Avenue, where Shady’s is located. Two parties were arrested and transported to Hamilton County Jail.
The police arrest report for a Sept. 11, 2025 cocaine-related arrests is not public due to an active, undercover investigation.
Shady’s Corner experienced a transfer of ownership to Robyn Finley and Tom Franks. The pair’s first day running the establishment was Oct. 23, 2025 – the same day of a cocaine-related bust that resulted in the arrest of Shady’s kitchen manager.
Public complaints have increased against Shady’s Corner since August 2023. It is located a short walking distance from the Islamic Center of Chattanooga and, as a result, services at the Islamic Center have been disrupted several times.
Hammad El-Ameen, a representative of the center, was unwilling to speak on the matter – stating the subject was too upsetting and would disrupt his peace during the Islamic Center’s Ramadan services.
Another representative who wished to be identified as “Abdou” did confirm Shady’s is still disrupting the mosque’s religious services in the aftermath of the Beer Board’s decision. He confirmed past incidents including bar guests urinating on the Islamic Center premises.
A Shady’s employee, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke about the community pressure mounted against the bar, offering a brief, stern response: “We didn’t do anything wrong.”
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