Trail Updates
The Chattanooga Thrift Trail keeps getting smarter. Here is how it has grown, one version at a time.
v21.0 Most Visited, Featured Shop and a Reset Button
- A Most Visited Shops chart ranks the Trail's favorites, with flames on shops that are climbing fast and a gold bar for the Featured Shop of the Day.
- A big Featured Shop of the Day card on the Shops & Charities page tells you about the shop in the spotlight.
- Trail pages now show the date right at the start of your route line.
- A simple Reset button takes you back to a fresh start at the top of the home page.
v20.0 Always Current, Always Open
- Shops opening later now show a live "Opens in" countdown, and the route only includes a late opener when the wait is short.
- More Shops lists what is open right now first, closest to you first.
- The Trail refreshes itself when you open it, bring your phone out of sleep or come back from another app.
- The big button now heads to your first shop before it moves on, so you can get directions to shop 1.
- The East Ridge Antique District lists each shop inside it, and new shops joined the Trail.
- A monthly Trail News post on the blog shares what is new.
v19.0 Featured Shops and Your Own Stops
- The Featured Shop of the Day gets a gold star on the map and a line above the daily banner.
- Add Your Own Stop lets you drop errands, lunch or appointments into your route, with address suggestions from about 2,500 local businesses.
- A smarter route optimizer finds shorter loops by testing shop-by-shop swaps.
- The Names on/off button returned to the map.
- A copyright line and project protections were added across the site.
- The Arcade opened with Chattanooga-themed games.
v18.0 Clearer and Friendlier
- A close button on the phone menu makes it easier to get out of.
- The one-button hint pulses to catch your eye.
- Pick from a bigger list of map icons, including a pickup truck.
- The Shop Managers form explains who the Trail is for.
v17.0 Make the Trail Yours
- Choose your own map icon from the Account menu.
- The car on the map gently pulses so you can find yourself.
- Closing-soon shops are handled more carefully when your route is built.
- Scrolling the More Shops list lights up each shop on the map as you go.
v16.0 Your Car on the Map
- Your location refreshes itself while the Trail is open, and the car leaves a trail where you have been.
- Every shop that is not on the loop shows on the map as a faded diamond you can tap and add.
- The first version of Add Your Own Stop arrived.
- Daily fun facts were refined.
v15.0 A Tidier Menu
- The menu is grouped under Explore, Use the Trail and About.
- A Back to Top button appears when you are far down the page.
- Print the Trail and Get the Web App sit side by side.
- Fixes to the arrow buttons on phones.
v14.0 One Button Runs the Trail
- Tap to move on, double-tap to go back and press and hold for directions.
- A Directions, Next and Undo row backs up the gestures.
- Bigger touch areas make every button easier to tap.
- Step-by-step location help for iPhone, Android and computers.
- A Shop Managers form lets shops send updates to the moderators.
- Print the Trail builds a guide you can take along.
v13.0 Reviews and Daily Fun Facts
- Tap the stars on any shop to read its reviews and add your own.
- Every day shows its special day with fun facts underneath.
- Shop details match everywhere you see them.
- Zoom buttons came back on the map, and ticking a shop out of order re-plans the rest of the route.
v12.0 Your Maps App, Your Way
- Pick Apple Maps, Google Maps or Waze once and the Trail remembers.
- The big button walks you through your trip one shop at a time.
- A line under the button always names the shop you are at.
- Website links for every shop.
v11.0 Every Page Matches
- Every page shares the same look, header, menu and footer.
- Send Feedback opens right where you are.
- Add to Home Screen instructions for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows.
- The big button reads Continue to your next shop and opens directions.
- Newsletter sign-up from the menu.
v10.0 Coffee, Neighborhoods and Loops
- Add a coffee stop between shops, without it counting as a thrift stop.
- A page for every neighborhood.
- The Lookout Loop and Scenic City Loop were named.
- A menu with your own optional Account.
- Filters you can combine and the Trail remembers.
- The Community Calendar became a month view with special days built in.
- A gentle reminder to leave kind reviews for small businesses.
v9.0 Filters, Calendar and Shop Details
- A Filter panel lets you choose the kinds of shops and areas you want.
- A Community Calendar for yard sales, church sales and shop events.
- Per-shop details: restrooms, wheelchair access, payments, Wi-Fi and sale days.
- Price feel from $ to $$$$$.
- The Trail updates itself quietly in the background.
- World's Longest Yard Sale reminders.
- A Get Involved form for fans, shops and volunteers.
v8.0 Shops With a Purpose
- A heart note shows which local cause a shop's proceeds support.
- Hours, addresses and map pins were checked against each shop.
- More shops joined the Trail.
v7.0 A Home of Its Own
- The Trail moved to its own address, 423thrift.com, with a secure connection.
- The Trail became easier to find in search.
v6.0 Take It Along
- Add the Trail to your home screen and use it like an app.
- Faster loading and basic offline support.
v5.0 Pick Up Where You Left Off
- Mark shops visited and your progress is saved.
- An unfinished trail resumes when you come back.
v4.0 Share the Trail
- A Trail Poster and share buttons for Instagram, text and copy link.
- A printable guide to take along.
v3.0 Reviews
- Star ratings and short reviews for every shop.
- Add a photo and mark reviews as helpful.
v2.0 Smarter Routes
- The route follows opening hours and sets closed shops aside.
- Plan for now or plan ahead for another day.
- Miles and shops remaining.
v1.0 The Trail Begins
- An interactive map of thrift, vintage and antique shops around Chattanooga.
- A loop route that starts from where you are.