Former Wimberly Inn in Brainerd is now a church. Click to enlarge.
photo by Harmon Jolley
In the late 1950’s, Weldon F. Osborne was considering a new business venture. He had been a developer of subdivisions and commercial properties since 1942. Mr. Osborne had started that business, rather than relocate as his employer had asked.
In 1958, he began construction of a fashionable restaurant at the intersection of Brainerd Road and Belvoir Avenue. The establishment was named the Wimberly Inn, using the maiden name of his wife, Eleanor.
The Brainerd site had previously been occupied by the Edgerton Dutch Manor and the Edgewood Country Club. Local musician Jay Craven recalls that in the early 1950’s, his band was often booked at the Edgewood. “It was good, steady work,” recalled Mr. Craven.
The September 17, 1958 Chattanooga Times reported “Work is Speeded on Wimberly Inn.” The building featured Early American architecture, and interiors with wood paneling, hardwood floors, and chandeliers. Seating for up to 164 customers was planned for the dining room, while private rooms could hold 10 to 110. A ballroom was also to be constructed.
On December 9, 1958, Eleanor Wimberly Osborne cut the ribbon of the couple’s new restaurant. Mrs. Osborne was the executive secretary to the head of Southern Railway in Chattanooga. Doorman William David Henshaw greeted the first-day patrons. For the festive occasion, orchids were provided to all ladies and there was a fashion show presented by Loveman’s Department Store. Jon Robere, organist, provided music from a raised stage.
The Chattanooga News-Free Press carried an advertisement that proclaimed the Wimberly Inn’s features: “The latest in modern decoration and furnishings assure luxurious comfort. Service is superb. The food (there’s all kinds!) is especially prepared to please the most discriminating connoisseur.”
The Wimberly was all-electric, and its kitchen was stainless steel. By opening day, the dining rooms had been named. The main dining room was the Wimberly, with exposed wooden beams overhead. The party room was the Starlight, with a décor of Chinese murals. The King’s Room had a “steak throne,” where the customers could rotate a lazy susan, and choose a steak or salad.
Live music often resounded through the Wimberly. Local guitarist Charlie Chambers recalls that many top musicians performed there, and remembers the large windows of the restaurant. Barbara Malloy, a WDEF personality, sang with Mr. Chambers’ group. Mr. Chambers noted that Jimmy Demayo, an accordionist who also ran an accordion school on Cherry Street, often played there.
Local pianist Jimmy Wilson remembers playing for private parties in the basement of the Wimberly. “It was THE PLACE to take your date if you had money,” said another local musician who wishes to remain anonymous.
By late 1964, however, the Wimberly Inn closed, according to a December 5, 1964 Chattanooga Times article. A for lease/for sale sign was posted. The reason was explained by owner Weldon Osborne: “It has always been a profitable business except for the few weeks before it was closed due to the management problem.”
Minutes posted on the Internet from the Photographic Society of Chatanooga mention that their Christmas party had to be relocated to the Drake Motel on South Broad Street, though they had a reservation at the Wimberly.
The Wimberly Inn reopened two years later in October, 1966. Osborne Enterprises remained the owner, but a new manager, Samuel J. Sass, was brought in from Atlanta. He had been a chef in New York, Miami, and Atlanta with the Fan and Bill’s Restaurants. The Wimberly attempted to take the dining experience to an even higher gourmet level.
Area resident Dan Cobb recalls going to the Wimberly shortly after he moved to Chattanooga. “I had just got out of the Army, and remember marveling over the opulence of the place and how special I felt to be involved in such a fine dining experience.”
The rejuvenated Wimberly did not last long, though. Late in 1968, Hannah-Adams Television and Appliance moved into the Wimberly building. The downstairs dining room, though, was rented out for parties for a short time.
Dan Cobb reflected, “Sometime after the restaurant closed, I was invited to a party in the basement of that building, which was an Oktoberfest held by the Chattanooga German community. Beer, brats; wow what a spread. Anyway, I'm not sure if it had already become Hannah-Adams, but it may have. I remember hearing that the owners rented out the space because there were still a lot of restaurant-type facilities that could be used and it was a very large basement. At the time, there were very few places indoors for rent that could hold a crowd.”
The former Wimberly Inn gained a new type of use as a church following the departure of Hannah-Adams. According to the 2008 Chattanooga city directory, the Grace Christian Center and House of Grace of America are the present occupants.
If you have memories of the Wimberly Inn, please send me an e-mail at jolleyh@bellsouth.net.