The Crash Pad
Crash pad. For most of us, that word conjures up the image of a friend’s couch, an inflated mattress in your brother’s living room floor, or maybe a lumpy sofa bed at your mother-in-law’s for Christmas. If you’re a rock climber, it’s the pad that shields you from getting banged up on the rocks in case you make, shall we say, sudden unexpected contact. So when I read about two rock climbing college buddies who moved to Chattanooga from the Boston area and were building a Crash Pad in Chattanooga, it caught
my attention.
Here to take advantage of the plentiful rock climbing opportunities of the area, Max Poppel and Dan Rose had come for the pure joy of the Chattanooga outdoors. It didn’t take long for their creative, entrepreneurial minds to spot an opportunity. Outdoor enthusiasts needed an affordable, safe place to sleep while exploring Chattanooga. More importantly, they needed a sort of hub where everyone could sit by the fire, share adventure stories and, well, party!
Hospitality, a love for people, the desire to create a warm, safe environment where groups of people can gather and make new friends. These guys may have come from Boston, but they sounded the epitome of Southern Hospitality. I contacted Dan and Max to congratulate them on their new venture and to share what seemed an obvious connection. I knew another group of travelers who love adventure, the outdoors and having a place to gather and share their stories, and okay… party – motorcyclists! What if The Crash Pad served as a place to introduce these two sets of adventurers? Their enthusiastic response was immediate, “Tell us more!” After a brief chat, they both agreed. “We can picture our hostel, half filled with motorcyclists, the other half with rock climbers, hanging out on the property, having a great time and getting to know each other.”
For those unfamiliar with “hostels,” it’s a brilliant concept. Not a full service hotel, hostels are scattered around the US but found in abundance in Europe. Often they are converted homes or the upstairs of a business; typically thin on amenities, but very easy on the wallet. Max and Dan’s Crash Pad is anything but typical. Sporting 5,000 square-feet, their two-story building will contain six private rooms with queen size beds, unusual privacy in a Hostel. There will also be 12 twin-size bunk beds and cots available if needed. The main floor will have a kitchen/living area shared by both floors of the building, and a separate male and female bath/shower and sleeping area. On the second floor, there will be another male and female bath/shower and sleeping area and an owner’s apartment. Bed rates will range between $25 and $60.
In choosing the location of The Crash Pad, Dan and Max decided to join in the revitalization of the Southside area of Chattanooga. They bought property at 29 Johnson Street, located just off Main Street downtown. Ground breaking began in early December and we look forward to meeting friends, old and new, at their opening in spring of 2011.
Kathy Kile
kathy@kickstandup.com
Read Moremy attention.
Here to take advantage of the plentiful rock climbing opportunities of the area, Max Poppel and Dan Rose had come for the pure joy of the Chattanooga outdoors. It didn’t take long for their creative, entrepreneurial minds to spot an opportunity. Outdoor enthusiasts needed an affordable, safe place to sleep while exploring Chattanooga. More importantly, they needed a sort of hub where everyone could sit by the fire, share adventure stories and, well, party!
Hospitality, a love for people, the desire to create a warm, safe environment where groups of people can gather and make new friends. These guys may have come from Boston, but they sounded the epitome of Southern Hospitality. I contacted Dan and Max to congratulate them on their new venture and to share what seemed an obvious connection. I knew another group of travelers who love adventure, the outdoors and having a place to gather and share their stories, and okay… party – motorcyclists! What if The Crash Pad served as a place to introduce these two sets of adventurers? Their enthusiastic response was immediate, “Tell us more!” After a brief chat, they both agreed. “We can picture our hostel, half filled with motorcyclists, the other half with rock climbers, hanging out on the property, having a great time and getting to know each other.”
For those unfamiliar with “hostels,” it’s a brilliant concept. Not a full service hotel, hostels are scattered around the US but found in abundance in Europe. Often they are converted homes or the upstairs of a business; typically thin on amenities, but very easy on the wallet. Max and Dan’s Crash Pad is anything but typical. Sporting 5,000 square-feet, their two-story building will contain six private rooms with queen size beds, unusual privacy in a Hostel. There will also be 12 twin-size bunk beds and cots available if needed. The main floor will have a kitchen/living area shared by both floors of the building, and a separate male and female bath/shower and sleeping area. On the second floor, there will be another male and female bath/shower and sleeping area and an owner’s apartment. Bed rates will range between $25 and $60.
In choosing the location of The Crash Pad, Dan and Max decided to join in the revitalization of the Southside area of Chattanooga. They bought property at 29 Johnson Street, located just off Main Street downtown. Ground breaking began in early December and we look forward to meeting friends, old and new, at their opening in spring of 2011.
Kathy Kile
kathy@kickstandup.com
