This two-story rock building on the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Rock City Trail was one of Garnet Carter’s earliest additions to Rock City. Over time, it has housed the Fairyland Filling Station, the Cornerstone Station and the Fairyland Fire Station before becoming our mountain Starbucks in 2007.
Franklin Architects handled the new redesign, insuring our mountain gathering place is made even better. What is different? The indoor seating capacity is doubled, the restrooms are now located within the retail space, and the expanded section surrounds the patio mountain stone fireplace now equipped with gas logs. Did I mention the new polished gray concrete floors?
As you would expect, the patio and indoor space are ADA accessible for all guests, tourists, residents and students alike. The full scope of the renovation can be seen at different times of the day. The iconic Starbucks logo, based on an old 16th-century Norse woodcut of a two-tailed mermaid, is tastefully located at head height beside the Mockingbird and Rock City Trail doors. On those foggy nights, the mountain mermaids will guide you to safe harbor for your caffeine fill-up. On those beautiful spring, nights you can enjoy the new patio, which is equipped with up and down lighting to make the outdoor gathering experience that much better.
There are many more things I could share about our mountain gathering place, but I can’t do all the work for you. Go check it out, and while you are at it, try a glass of the Nitro-infused cold brew. Whether you enjoy this new beverage inside or outside, by the fire or a window, I think all will say, what was great is even better!