This article appeared in the July 2014 issue of the East Nashvillian magazine.
The Post East is open. We’ve been following Tonya Lewis and Chris Cowley for a while now, ever since the first rumors of their search for space in the neighborhood for their coffee/juice/smoothie hang. 17th and Fatherland proved to be the perfect spot, and the new build-out looks amazing. It anchors the intersection diagonally across from the new Olive & Sinclair location.
The Shoppes on Fatherland are continuing their musical chairs, with successful businesses moving into bigger spaces while new ones are opening in the spaces left behind. Baxter Bailey & Company have moved into one of the larger shops facing Fatherland. Clothing and retail stores 1907 and 1907 Kids have closed. High Garden Teas is moving into the space formerly occupied by 1907, which allows space for people to sit and have a cup of tea on the premises.
Chocolate F/X has moved into the 1907 Kids space. Atlanta transplant and chocolatier Andrea Smith has been making confections for about five years and has a background in special effects makeup. She combined those talents to make unique chocolate molds and gifts. Unlike Olive & Sinclair, Andrea makes chocolate confections — mostly Belgian chocolate, such as truffles, barks, and caramels — which can be purchased as individual pieces at the store or as assortment boxes for gifts.
In Baxter Bailey’s old spot is Nest 615, a shabby chic furniture store run by Ginger Elle. She broke her foot a few years ago and couldn’t do her job as a model so she started painting furniture. “I literally fell into this business,” says Elle. Her store features rehabbed and painted furniture, as well as gifts and found objects. Store hours are 12-6, Wednesday through Saturday and 12-4, Sunday.
Meg Anderson is opening Nutmeg in the space formerly housed by High Garden Tea. It’s a fabric, yarn, and craft store built from the concept she developed two years ago in her home, then in pop-up stores over the last six months. Slated to be open in mid-July, the store will feature handmade yarns, crafts and gifts. Anderson teaches workshops and hopes to provide a place for stitching circles and education about nurturing creativity. “I’ve been wanting to open a store for about twelve years,” she says. “Just really to provide people the opportunity to create, I am so happy it’s here in East Nashville.” www.nutmegster.com
We had reported that a restaurant called Spark of Life was coming to the new development at 1100 Fatherland, but that fell through. It was recently announced that a new place called A Matter of Taste would be occupying that space instead. They currently have a restaurant on Franklin Road offering “freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups, sweet treats and daily specials” for dine in or take out. The focus is on farm-fresh, high-quality local ingredients and gluten-free options.
Also at 1100 Fatherland, juice bar Lynne Lorraine’s is up and running, as are Thrive and Nancybgoods. The Local Taco plans to be finished by September.
Over on Riverside Drive, next to Pied Piper Eatery, is a new retail store called Artisan East. Goods & Good Finds. Owner Brandy Davenport managed A Thousand Faces in Hillsboro Village for many years before deciding recently to open her own shop. It features handmade gifts made from recycled or repurposed objects by local designers, cards and stationary, vintage jewelry, and art. From time to time she also has fresh-cut flowers for sale. Open every day except Tuesday.
Riverside Village has some changes in the works. Sip Café | Mike’s Ice Cream is moving to a larger space in a former bank building located at the southeast corner of Gallatin Pike and Ardee Avenue in Inglewood. They will have more indoor seating and will also utilize the drive through window for to-go orders.
The former Mitchell Deli space is being converted to house Rudie’s Seafood and Sausage, also owned by David Mitchell. Plans are to be open soon, with an expansion into the former Sip Café | Mike’s Ice Cream space planned for this fall. A preview menu posted online features oysters, ceviche, pork belly, and mussels.
Powell Architecture + Building Studio is planning a move to building on the corner closest to Edley’s BBQ. Powell has designed many of the great new businesses in the neighborhood, like Five Points Pizza, Fat Bottom Brewery, and the Walden development. They recently finished Lynne Lorraine’s Juice Bar and The Yellow House Salon. Their current office on 10th and Shelby will be going on the market.
Designer Andrew Clancey and artist Chris Melton have moved from the Lower East Side of NYC and are working on re-opening their clothing store Any Old Iron. Their store was open in New York for the last 5 years and features one-of-a-kind clothing with “British flavor.” The store is slated to be at 17th and Shelby, pending approval from zoning.
Bagel Face Bakery is getting new ownership. Current owners Rae Schobel and Kristen Skruber are passing the torch.
On 11th Street between Eastside Cycles and Bongo East, Edgefield Restaurant has inexplicably been closed for several years. Recently, plans have been presented to Metro Historic for the building to be demolished and replaced with a restaurant called Rhythm and Spice. More info as we have it.
PaperKuts Studio is open at 3922 Gallatin Pike. They can fill any stationary need you may have, from business letterhead to gift cards, they’re all about paper.
In the former Ghot Wingz space next to the diesel college at 2501 Gallatin Ave is a new soul food restaurant called Doll’s Family Café. Ghot Wingz moved further north on Gallatin in the former Eastside Fish location at 2617 Gallatin.
Ann Smith Florist, just south of the Inglewood Kroger has moved into the Colonial Bread building across from Mobley Vet in North Inglewood. The corner they vacated will be getting a makeover, along with the commercial building next door where Sinker’s and Little Caesar’s are located.
It is with great sadness that we say, “Goodbye” to Radio Shack on Gallatin Pike. The venerable electronics store has succumbed to the big-box store economy. An old-school way of life now heads into the sunset.
In fast food news, the KFC at 3000 Gallatin Pike is being converted to a Cook Out Restaurant. This is a Greensboro, North Carolina based chain. There are also rumors of a Zaxby’s coming (Yeehaa).
