Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Cox.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been passionate about the arts and always been an artist of some sort from day one. With an extensive background in music, I took on theater and live performance for most of my life as a primary art form. Working as a backstage manager for most of my younger years.
I always had an enormous love for film as well and always thought that one day I would open a movie theater and possibly even a production company. When a local movie theater was put on the market for sale when I was 18, I scoured the city for funding. Determined to buy it up and make it great.
However very young, naive and unsuccessful at finding the funding, the dream stayed alive. With many years on different career paths, I became a top-notch hairstylist in Portland OR, working on TV and Film sets, and I later dabbled in the Film Festival world in Chattanooga TN. Planning events and coordinating. It was there I realized my passion was in producing and managing. I opened the Palace with very little funds but a ton of ambition. The original concept was just an arthouse movie theater. After several months of realizing the hard way that Chattanooga couldn’t support a venue with just film, we closed down. I remodeled, restructured and reopened the Palace Theater.
I am now producing 3 incredible monthly comedy shows, hosting live music, showing local and major films, directing the not for profit “Bazar” (Which is the boutique-style gallery that lives within the palace and all arts organization that serves mostly women and underserved marginalized groups in the arts locally) and loving every minute of my 90 hour weeks. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The heart and dedication of my amazing staff and volunteers never cease to amaze me and nearly brings me to tears most days of the week.
Watching people love what I have created is a beautiful thing. Watching my staff treat it as their own and work hard to bring our little city a wonderful gem truly inspires me to never stop. I love the culture we are cultivating here and I can’t wait to continue to watch it grow for many years to come. The Palace Theater is also a bar. We serve “Beer-tails” which are cocktails made with your favorite local craft beers. We serve popcorn and pizza and have affordable candy for your movie going needs.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Never smooth but the struggles are more personal than business.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Palace Theater is known for it’s broad and diverse entertainment. We have everything from movies to poetry nights. Comedy shows to dramatic plays. I am most proud that all of Chattanooga feels welcome here. There is no room for prejudice at the Palace.
What were you like growing up?
I was a hell of a nerd. I raised reptiles and amphibians, haha! I also watched every film that came across me.
My interests were pretty diverse, just like the palace. I never really stuck with one because one would lead me to another. Movies would lead me back to music and so on. I played a multitude of video games and watched quite a bit of cartoon (the good ones, Looney Tunes, etc.).
My personality developed to that of a character mix between Jessica Rabbitt and Ellen DeGeneres. Sassy, smart and silly.
Pricing:
- Tickets $10-$15 for most shows
- $5 popcorn with free refills
- $3 tall boy specials
- $4 local craft brew specials
Contact Info:
- Address: 818 Georgia Ave #118 Chattanooga, TN 37402
- Website: www.chattpalace.com
- Phone: 850-284-1070
- Email: info@chattpalace.com
- Instagram: palace_theater_
- Facebook: Palace Theater
- Twitter: @palacetheater1
Image Credit:
Ricardo Chang
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
