Written by William Chen

After over ten years serving the Chattanooga area with their vegan restaurant endeavor Cashew, Bailey Cole, and Kristiana Mallo are set to open their doors for a new project in the heart of downtown called “BROADS.” Cole and Mallo have dedicated BROADS to being a “Female-Forward” bar. 

“I think everybody kind of agrees [broads] had a negative connotation,” Cole said. “To us, [broads] is an empowering word. We’re trying to make it fun; it’s more about a strong woman.”

The inspiration for the name “BROADS” came from one of their friends who frequently uses it in her vocabulary. Overtime, they grew fond of the term in that usage.

“[BROADS] is just something pretty different. I think it’s different even in the country,” Mallo said. “….it’s more of an old-school term, so we want to totally bring it back.”

During their research for BROADS, Cole and Mallo only found one other bar in the country that celebrates women and carries a majority of women-owned products. The menu contains over 95 percent of products from either women-owned, women-led or women-distilled companies and brands.

“We feel good about supporting companies that are smaller,” Cole and Mallo said. “Instead of just keep supplying these big brands that are just owned by one old man.” 

The main setback Cole and Mallo foresee is that people may be brand-loyal and hesitant to try an unknown brand, but the two are dedicated to prompting patrons to try smaller brands.

“As entrepreneurs, we want people to support our business,“ Cole said. “Put your money where your mouth is; we want people to support small businesses, and we want to do the same. They’re people we believe in.”

With a collective experience of over 30 years in the service industry, whether it be working in the dining room or the kitchen, Cole and Mallo have garnered vast knowledge in how to design a menu that caters to everyone’s needs. 

“Our intention is for it to be as inclusive as possible,” Mallo said. “With people, with the food, with the alcohol.” 

The menu is expected to have viable options for an array of diets: vegan, gluten-free, low and alcohol-free beverages, etc. Cole and Mallo want BROADS to serve as a community hub, creating an all-inclusive atmosphere for all walks of life.

“The project is a celebration of women,” Mallo said. “But guys want to celebrate women, too. And non-binary people, as well.” 

Located on East 10th Street with proximity to Miller Park and next to the Dwell Hotel, Cole and Mallo expect the bar to grow with the community as they have committed to a ten-year lease.

The storefront is described as having a dark, moody, feminine ambiance mashup of a timeless design with a combination of contemporary and antique elements. Among the decor, Cole and Mallo want to showcase BROADS of old and of now adorned all over the walls.

“It’s all about celebrating the women that came before us,” Mallo said. “The women that paved the way, the women that raised us, the women that inspire us.”

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