This spring showers us with an abundance of big additions and new beginnings, from freshly sprung restaurants to the eastward move of Grimey’s:
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
The much-anticipated Folk restaurant — the latest project from widely heralded Rolf & Daughters chef Philip Krajeck — opened at 823 Meridian St. in late April, serving a mix of familiar and creative pizzas (from basil/parmesan/tomato and clam/agretti/ bonito/lemon/chili), alongside upscale fare like mussels escabeche and lamb meatballs with English peas. Folk has a healthy bar program too, with a broad wine and liquor list and some cool craft cocktails. (Teetotalers aren’t ignored: Teas from East Nashville neighbors High Garden Tea are also on the menu.) The dishes stand apart from Krajeck’s rustic Italian place in Germantown, but, he told Food & Wine, the intent is similar with both Nashville restaurants. “We work really hard to do things that have the same ethics and values as the fanciest nicest restaurant, but we try to do it in the most democratic way possible and make it available to the most people possible,” he said. Folk is open 5-10 p.m. daily; check out the menus at goodasfolk.com.
An exciting addition to the East Nashville sushi scene, Maru Sushi & Grill opened in March at 1100 Fatherland St., Ste. 101 (the former AMOT Eatery location). Their menu includes a mix of familiar sushi options, plus some teriyaki favorites and dishes that hail from owners Rita and Harry Lee’s native Korea, including Bulgogi and Bibimbap. The restaurant is family-run all around, with Rita often working front of house, and husband Harry and brother M.K. manning the kitchen. They’re not new to the restaurant scene in Nashville (Harry was a longtime Samurai Sushi fixture), but this is the Brentwood-based family’s first foray into East Nashville. When we caught up with Rita, things were off to an auspicious start — to the point where the newcomers were rushing to ramp-up staffing to meet demand. “I told my husband, ‘I’m so happy to have this place,’” Rita Lee told us. “… I just want to make (our customers) happy — make them happy, give them good memories. That’s our goal.” Maru Sushi & Grill hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, 4:30-9 p.m. for dinner; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, 4:30-10 p.m. for dinner. More at maru-nashville.com.
Up in Inglewood, nature-inspired bar Walden opened up at 2909B Gallatin Pike (the former Hop Stop space) in March, too, offering nicely priced snacks and drinks, including a bunch of on-tap cocktails under $10 (including classics like Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Vieux Carres), plus plenty of craft beer, wine and, if you’re feeling especially casual, the good-old PBR Tall Boy. On the food front, they’re serving grilled cheese sandwiches and pita pizzas with a few twists, all in the $10-or-so range as well. Hours are 3-11 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 3 p.m. to midnight Thursday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday; noon to 2 a.m. Saturday; and noon to 11 p.m., Sunday. More at waldenbar. com.
Yet another new addition East Nashville food lovers might be intrigued by: Coutelier, a New Orleans-bred, “chef-driven, professional-grade kitchen cutlery store” opened its doors at 933 Woodland St. The chefs driving this shop, which stocks hand-forged Japanese and American knives and lots of other tools and accessories, are Jacqueline Blanchard and Brandt Cox, who’ve both spent years working in fine-dining restaurants. Blanchard told us that, with Coutelier, the aim was “to create a one-stop shop for the professional cook and chef, as well as for serious and dedicated home cooks.” The shop is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and you can learn more/peruse their wares at couteliernola.com.
The supersized Sinkers Wine and Spirits location, at 3308 Gallatin Pike, is now open, after a lengthy renovation and expansion that nearly doubled the shop’s size, to 20,000 square feet of spirits, wine, beer and more. The Sinkers team announced the overhaul back in the summer of 2016, and as with all things construction, things took longer than the six- to eight-month expectation. But doors opened on the massive, rehabbed spirits shop in March, and shoppers got to (and get to) take in the expanded selection, new growler station, tasting events and lots more. Need to restock your bar? They’re open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. More at sinkerswineandspirits.com.
Something fun for crafty East Siders: Well-known and well-loved candle makers Paddywax have opened another Candle Bar “experiential retail store,” this time at 901 Woodland St. (on the alley side). The first one, opened last year in Berry Hill, introduced the concept: part shop (with lots of candles, home goods, gifts and accessories), part candle maker-space, where shoppers can choose between dozens of vessels and fragrances and learn how to mix and pour their own candles. Prices on the build-your-own candles range from $25 to $35, depending on which vessel you choose, and although there’s plenty of measuring and piping and other science-y tasks involved, brand experience manager Brady Heyen told us it’s still a pretty low-key experience. “While we walk attendees through each step of what is essentially a science project, we don’t want it to feel like chemistry lab,” Heyen said. “The Candle Bar is a place to do something fun and new with friends, family, clients or coworkers.” Added fun: The space is BYOB, and candle makers receive a 20-percent discount on everything in the retail space. They’re open noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. More at thecandlebar.co.
Also on the science-y front: The former Top Knot Vintage space at 307 N. 16th St. (more on that below) is now home to Music City Hemp Store, which sells all kinds of cannabidiol (or CBD) products, including extracts, oils, creams and gummies. (You won’t, however, find hemp-based textiles and the like.) The growing buzz on CBD roots back to its purported healing properties — proponents say it can help with anxiety, insomnia and a host of other issues. Owner Dave Duncan went from being a big fan of the stuff to researching it intensely, sourcing a mix of Tennessee-based products, then opening his East Nashville shop. “I’m really happy to find a little niche to contribute,” he told us as he was getting settled, “and I couldn’t be more pleased with the response.” The Music City Hemp Store is open noon to 6 p.m. daily, except Sunday. More at facebook.
That opening was quickly followed by another CBD-focused brand in East Nashville: At press time, LabCanna, “a licensed hemp processor that provides product development and services to farmers and retail brands,” was getting ready to open its flagship retail spot at 1006 Gallatin Ave. Aim was a soft opening on May 15, with a grand opening near the end of the month. Learn more at labcanna.com.
More for the plant lovers: Longtime makers of plant-based foodstuffs (seitan, meat-free sausages, vegan cheese and more) The BE-Hive recently opened a deli counter at 2412 Gallatin Ave., offering vegan sandwiches, salads, “wings” and more (including retail packs to take home). The deli’s open every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you can learn more at bethehive.com.
New, across from Portland Brew on Eastland Ave.: Annex EAST — a “state-of-theart innovative, creative and dynamic office environment designed to promote energy, networking, and high-production.” That means a mix of coworking and office space, essentially, and it’s a project that comes courtesy of Brentwood-based Tower Real Estate. Their offerings range from private offices to flex space to coworking memberships, and at press time, they still had some availability. If you’re in the market for workspace, explore at 2002eastland.com.
CLOSINGS AND MOVES
Lynne Lorraine’s, an East Nashville juicery and plant-based cafe, closed its doors at the end of April at 1100 Fatherland St., #102, after four years in business. It was an early entry into the juice-bar scene in East Nashville, and owner Chad Currie said the experience was “a wonderful and exciting journey. Becoming a part of your routines and the local community has been a blessing beyond measure.” Still here to supply your juice fix: the East Side Urban Juicer location (1009 Gallatin Ave.) and the Turnip Truck’s juice and smoothie bar (701 Woodland St.), among others.
Home goods/gifts shop Thrive also closed its doors in April at 1100 Fatherland St., Ste. 107. Owner Mark Wood said it was a tough call, but that he was moving on to “pursue another opportunity that has presented itself.” He’d been in business here since 2011.
Woodland Thrift, at 943-B Woodland St. since 2016, wrapped up its run this spring too — it was a ministry of Set Free Church, which moved from East Nashville up to Madison, and Pastor Tim Shaner said they wanted to bring their retail store up there with the church. Shaner said the Woodland location was getting taken over by a friend who’d already been running vintage clothing shop Relik Vintage inside the space.
Another closure: Riverside Village Health and Wellness, at 1406B McGavock Pike in Inglewood. Over the past few years, that location had also been home to 3rd and Church East Nashville and Cole Family Practice. No word yet on a new tenant.
A bummer loss on the local barbecue front: East Nashville BBQ Company, at 829 Lischey Ave., closed its doors after almost three years in the former Cantrell’s BBQ Pit space. Owner Valorie West told us that she and her family felt like they needed to “start a new chapter” after the tragic loss of her 31-year-old daughter, Ashley Burgess, last year. The restaurant earned a lot of East Nashville love over its run, for its smoked meats, house-made sauces and laid-back vibes. Still no word on anything cropping up in that Lischey location yet.
We know we were in good company missing East Nashville soul-food staple Bailey & Cato, whose Riverside Village location closed in 2016 after a long and lauded tenure. Thankfully, though, the Bailey family didn’t stay out of the game too long: A new Bailey & Cato location is now open at 1130 Gallatin Pike S. in Madison, serving all kinds of soul-food favorites again, from fried chicken to ox tails. Eager to reacquaint yourself ? Bailey & Cato’s Madison location is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.,Thursday through Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m,Sunday. Lots more at baileyandcatorestaurant.com.
Same great location, great new name: Papacito Nashville is now known as El Fuego, after former Las Fiestas GM Jose Merchan took over to overhaul the restaurant inside and out, with new menu items, new branding, new outdoor seating in the works and more. What hasn’t changed: The traditional pupusas that made Papacito a local hit will still be front and center. Merchan’s also bringing in some South American specialties that reflect his Ecuadorian upbringing, blending those in with Mexican menu staples. Place to be is still 3249 Gallatin Pike, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. (At press time, you could still find the latest on facebook.)
A closure that was a little more of a refocusing: Hair/beauty name Parlour & Juke, which added an Inglewood location last spring, closed one of their shops this spring. Lucky for East Side fans, it was the 8th Avenue South space — they’re now cutting and coloring and such in just one location, here in the neighborhood at 1101 Riverwood Dr. We had a little bit of a leg up, owner and stylist Cali DeVaney told us, since she and most of the staff call East Nashville home. “I feel like we all identify with and love East Nashville so much that it seemed like the natural choice,” she said. “We are thrilled to be a part of the neighborhood.” Over at the salon, they do everything from basic trims to balayage, hairpainting and extensions, and they’re open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. More/book your appointments at parlourandjuke.com.
The Bakery by frothy monkey location at 1010 Fatherland St., there since mid-2015, is also closed, but it was merely a victim of success: The ever-growing company needed to expand, and decided to move production, warehouse and office needs into a 7200-square-foot Southeast Nashville home. Their new space is meant to allow for menu growth too, with lots of new bakery products (from wedding cakes to hoagie rolls). Other Frothy Monkey locations (12 South, downtown, The Nations, Franklin) haven’t changed.
East Nashville vintage retailer Top Knot Vintage shut down its shop at 307 N. 16th St. in early spring, but didn’t close: Their “fun, cool vintage clothes” partly moved online to topknotvintage.com, partly merged with Toro Nashville at 917 Gallatin Ave. So if you loved what they’ve been slinging, you still have opportunities to shop. Hours for the Toro/Top Knot combo: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
New digs for East Nashville runners’ gear shop Nashville Running Company, too: They moved out of 1105 Woodland St. (home since 2012), and as of April, are located just three blocks down, at 820 Woodland St. Still all the sneaks/apparel/nutrition/ etc. local runners have come to love. They’re open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday; more at nashvillerunning.com.
COMING SOON
A big, big coming-soon for the East Nashville music community: Grimey’s New and Preloved Music — the big dog on Nashville’s independent record-store scene — is coming to the East Side. They’re shooting for a fall opening at their new location, the former Point of Mercy church at 1060 E. Trinity Lane. The big push behind the move: The Eighth Avenue South building that’s long been Grimey’s’ home has been up for sale for a while now, and while extending their lease was possible, owner Doyle Davis said it felt like the time was right to move on. The new space — a historic church that offers more square footage, better parking and a proper stage — opens up new possibilities, and gives the Grimey’s team a chance to bring their sister business, Grimey’s Too (which opened in 2013), under the same roof. Grimey’s Too was set to close at the end of May at press time, but the main Grimey’s should be staying open at 1604 Eighth Ave. S. at least until November. Next year marks 20 years in business for Grimey’s, and Davis said they’re planning to celebrate in their new East Nashville space, with a “slate of anniversary events” to be announced. “I think it’s the beginning of a whole new era for Grimey’s,” Davis said. “Our locations on Eighth Avenue South have served us well and we love them, but after almost 15 years, it feels like it’s time for a change. I’m very optimistic about our future.” To keep up with the latest updates: grimeys.com.
As this issue was going to bed, the beloved Wilburn Street Tavern, at 302 Wilburn St., was on its way back, under the new stewardship of longtime Mas Tacos owner/ operator Teresa Mason. The neighborhood bar’s doors closed in late 2017 — temporarily, we’d heard, for upgrades — but by spring 2018, its future seemed uncertain. News came through that Mason was in the mix in March, and she told us that, hopefully in May, she’ll have the doors open again, with familiar vibes and a simple menu. Her other place won’t be worming its way in, though. “We will not be bringing Mas Tacos with us,” she said. “We will be starting with nachos and hot dogs. But hopefully, some really delicious nachos y hot dogs — we’ve got some good ideas.” Mason’s prominence on the Nashville food scene has steadily grown through the years — Mas Tacos launched in 2008 as a food truck, before becoming a favorite brickand- mortar taco stop, then adding a cantina. She said broadening beyond Mas Tacos was appealing, particularly when something that kept her here in the neighborhood came about. “I have always loved Wilburn Street and its beautiful pocket of buildings, including the old post (office) and the Roxy (Theatre),” Mason said. “I’m happy to be able to continue to work in my neighborhood. I wanted to start a new project but wanted to stay close to home. So this works out great. It’s exciting with the other new neighbors opening up as well. I think it will be a wonderful adventure.” Keep an eye on our blog; we’ll make sure to update when opening day gets announced.
From records to drinks to ice cream: Frisson Soft Serve, who’ve been delivering creative gelato cones all around Nashville via truck for about a year, are opening their first brick-and-mortar space at 1100 Fatherland St., #102 (the former Lynne Lorraine’s location). Owners Caila Singleton and Elise Schempp told us that East Nashville was a shoo-in for the non-mobile Frisson spot. “East Nashville has always felt like home to us,” they said, via email. “We are an LGBT-owned and -operated business and being on the East Side is where we feel the most support and love. The community is very tight-knit and welcoming.” At press time, they were hoping to open by mid-May, sharing the same specialty cones we’ve seen on the truck, with toppings that range from cotton candy tufts to crushed pretzels. (They’re not grounding the truck after they open, either; the owners say it’ll still be out and about for events and catering gigs.) Learn more about Frisson Soft Serve at frissonsoftserve.com.
Also looking at a May opening: the new studio/gallery space for Poverty & the Arts, a “local social enterprise nonprofit that provides art supplies, studio space, training, and a marketplace to people impacted by homelessness.” The organization is moving from a smaller space downtown to 1207 Dickerson Pike, and the new location allows them to expand programming, with two gallery areas and two studios, all available to Nashvillians in need. Learn more about their work and the new studio at povertyandthearts.org.
East Nashville tiki bar Chopper — a new project from Barista Parlor’s Andy Mumma, Isle of Printing’s Bryce McCloud and Husk Nashville’s Mike Wolf — is shooting for a May opening at 521 Gallatin Ave. So by the time this issue is in your hands, a tropical cocktail maybe could be too. Follow along for the latest on Instagram:@choppertiki.
Matt Rogers at Eater Nashville dropped a fun scoop a little while back about the future of 700 Main St., the former home of Bagel Face Bakery: East Park Donuts & Coffee is on the way, he reported. We’ve been trying to dig up more details, and they’re still scarce, but building permits indicate that the space rehab has been humming along, so we should see more soon.