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City Cast Nashville

Margaret Kingsbury

Think you know what it costs to live in Nashville? Take our quiz and guess the rent on these local listings.

Nashville has officially declared Sept. 25 as 

! In honor of Tennessee’s queen, participating businesses will be celebrating with Dolly-inspired food and drink specials, lighting up their buildings in pink, and featuring Dolly’s music. Here are six ways to celebrate Dolly Day around town.

 that serve issues close to Dolly’s heart by donating to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Music Community Foundation from Sept. 25 through Sept. 27.

Leave a message at Bridgestone Arena about how you plan to carry on Dolly’s kindness. Then head to the 

, which will donate $9.25 from every ticket to the Imagination Library, and to the 

, which will host Dolly events all day, including a free screening of “9 to 5” at 7 p.m. The movie will end just in time to see fireworks at 9:25 p.m.

 is celebrating Dolly Day with discounted admission, story time with the Imagination Library, Dolly-themed eats, face painting, and more.

 is donating 10% of all sales to the Imagination Library. Plus, the children’s indoor playground will have butterfly crafts, cupcake decorating, and Dolly drinks.

 is also raising money for the Imagination Library with tribute performances, a Dolly SINGO, and a best “Jolene” contest. Chapstick will be showing “9 to 5” all day.

 are donating 25% of profits from 2-5 p.m. to the Imagination Library.

🖼️ Dolly Parton Murals in Nashville

From fireworks to ice cream, here are six ways to celebrate Dolly Day in Nashville.

How To Celebrate Dolly Day in Nashville

6 Ways To Celebrate Dolly Day in Nashville

Life Hacks

Tips and tricks for living your best Nashville life, by locals, for locals.

Nashville Life Hacks

September is National Cat Month! If you’re looking to snuggle and play with some kitties, here are three cat cafes and lounges in the Nashville area. I hope you have a cat-tastic time!

The Catio is less about the cafe and more about the cats. I’ve never seen any food for sale, except at its Thanksgiving feast. The nonprofit does have a huge area with dozens and dozens of adoptable cats, comfy couches where you can snuggle them, and plenty of cat toys for playing. Senior cats are in a separate room, where visitors are welcome, too. Book your hour with the cats in advance for $15. You don’t have to be looking to adopt to visit these felines. All humans are welcome, and the proceeds benefit the kitties’ care. The Catio also sells merch, like this 

. It’s located in the Music Valley shopping complex near Gaylord Opryland. Check out this 

While Crossroads has fewer cats and a smaller petting area, the cafe is where it’s at. The menu has coffee, snacks, breakfast and lunch options, plus ice cream, all cleverly named to match the cafe’s theme, such as the Siamese Sunrise and the Bengal Banango Float. The cafe also has board games and hosts events, like weekly 

. It’s a great place to work or hang out with friends. Plus, you can reserve time with adoptable kitties for 30-minute increments, and they provide treats to lure out the shyer cats. It’s located on Buchanan Street (

). Crossroads is a nonprofit that helps young adults facing barriers with housing, support services, and job experience.

I confess, I haven’t been to this Murfreesboro cat cafe yet because only kids 10 and up are allowed. My daughter asks every birthday if she’s old enough! Visitors can book hour slots with the cats for $12, and you can also host private parties there. Coffee and prepackaged snacks are available for purchase, along with lots of merch. The cafe typically houses 15-20 adoptable rescue cats from the nonprofit 

🐈‍⬛ Where kids can read to pets in Nashville

Whether you’re looking to snuggle kitties or want a purrfect snack, check out these three cat cafes and lounges in the Nashville area.

Cat Cafes and Lounges in the Nashville Area

Your Guide to Nashville’s Cat Cafes and Lounges

Get to know the natural side of Nashville: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Nashville Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Margaret Littman

Green Hills retail can feel a little overwhelming when you're trying to find what you want. My advice? First, park the car (or 

) and start walking. You avoid the Hillsboro Pike congestion, and nothing is that far from everything else. Second, check out these picks, depending on your preferences.

. It’s the OG listening room. Yes, it can be hard to get in (either get tickets on the 

 or be prepared to stand in line). But the payoff is songwriters and storytelling without all the neon flashiness. Bluebird is owned by the nonprofit Nashville Songwriters Association International.

 Mitch Johnson (a retail pro who worked for decades at Neiman Marcus) bought 

 from Holly Williams two years ago. He’s revitalized the beloved shop, packing it with designer dresses, denim, and 

 to sell treasures she found while out on tour. It’s moved and expanded, but it’s still a great place for trinkets, hostess gifts, or little “thank yous.” 

 stocks bedding, furniture, lighting, and gifts, including mahjong 

If you’re looking to update some bling: 

 a few weeks ago as a jewelry destination. In addition to selling pieces, they’ll do 

 on old gold pieces for some of their new stuff. 

 will also redesign some of your grandma’s old pieces into something more modern.

 has been selling children’s shoes in the neighborhood for more than three decades. 

 has upscale kids' clothes (I 💯 would wear 

 to The Bluebird if it were available in adult sizes). Plaid Rabbit has kids’ clothes and 

From bookstores to jewelry and gifts, there's something for everyone at the locally owned shops in Green Hills.

Our Green Hills Local Shopping Guide

Green Hills Shopping Just for You

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Nashville

Subscribe to City Cast Nashville's newest newsletter Keep It Local about shopping small

In the last couple of weeks, I've been in the Green Hills neighborhood more than usual. I was invited to the opening of the 

. Boden’s not local; it’s a British brand that picked Nashville as its second brick-and-mortar location. I dig how colorful and cheerful their clothes are, and they brought in a pink-and-green striped double-decker bus and parked it next to an expanse of pink flowers. Who can resist that!?!

When it comes to shopping in the area, I usually think of 

: A collection of luxury brands anchored by 

, a department store that tugs at my nostalgia as someone who grew up in the West. There’s nothing wrong with the mall; it’s pretty and clean and well organized, but most of the stores are national or international chains. Inside the mall are a few locally owned businesses, including 

Meanwhile, the surrounding strip malls and stand-alone buildings are filled with locally owned boutiques, bakeries, and restaurants. Here’s a guide to shopping Nashville-based businesses when in Green Hills.

The Cosmetic Market has four Tennessee locations (Green Hills, Cool Springs, Brentwood, and Chattanooga), and each store is chock full of 

, haircare, and all the other stuff you might grab at a big box store. Plus, expert staff can help you make smart choices through 

 like makeup applications and facials. There’s almost always a fun seasonal gift with purchase, or some other treat.

This Richard Jones shop emphasizes getting kids away from screens and into playing (indoors or out) with things that spark creativity. There are plush toys (yes, including 

, limited to one per day per person), board games, and books. The day I stopped in, they were sold out of 

 in advance if that’s on your wish list. Need even more kids’ books? Walk from here to Ann Patchett’s 

, which has its own great children’s book section.

I don’t know many people (any people?) who find shopping for bras fun. They’re hard to fit, sizes are weird, and wires poke into your body. But the process is better at Rebecka’s, an old-school-style spot with large dressing rooms and staff who know how to help you get the right fit. Rebecka was the great-aunt of owner Adrienne Francis; she started the business in 1977, and Adrienne modernized it while staying true to its roots.

I still haven't checked out this designer consignment spot right across the street from the mall. But City Cast Nashville creative producer 

 swears by it, and she has never led me astray. I plan to swing by ASAP. Find 

Green Hills is more than just a mall. Here are our top picks for great local shops in the area.

Where To Shop Local in Green Hills

 Is It Possible To Shop Local in Green Hills?

Natalia Aldana

The month celebrating the experiences, cultures, and contributions of Latina/e/o/x and Hispanic communities in the U.S. begins Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. Hispanic Heritage Month was 

100,000 Hispanic folks live in Davidson County

, and it’s a great time to honor their history and support their businesses.

Why does this heritage month start in the middle of September? It marks 

a significant period in the region’s liberation from its colonizers

. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821. Mexico celebrates independence on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. Belize declared independence from the United Kingdom on Sept. 21, 1981.

Here are some ways you can celebrate this month in Nashville:

Plaza Mariachi has free events every day of the week that center Hispanic culture, from salsa nights to lotería to live music and so much more.

 hosts performances by Hispanic musicians all month long; and Silvana Estrada takes the stage at 

Dance the night away with Conexión Américas at the Nashville Farmers’ Market with salsa classes, cocktails, and Latin street food.

Nashville SC faces off with Chicago Fire FC at GEODIS Park. Enter to win a bucket hat from Heineken, and cheer on our boys in yellow.

The Nashville Fair closes with El Jefé Day in the Fairgrounds’ courtyard. The family-friendly celebration will include live music, dancing, food, face painting, animals, and much more.

Shop at White Limozeen’s market showcasing local Hispanic artisans and vendors, with DJ Pablito providing the music.

Every year, the Nashville Zoo partners with Conexión Américas for a super fun day of events. This year’s lineup includes numerous folk dancers, live music, pan dulce samples, and a special concessions menu featuring Hispanic foods.

Head to the Skydeck at the Assembly Food Hall for a cozy rooftop movie night. Make sure to bring some tissues. I’m not the only one who cries when they watch this, right?

Celebrate Nashville’s diverse communities at this free annual event in Centennial Park, featuring shopping, live music, dancing, food, and family-friendly activities.

🍽️ Nashville’s Best Latino Restaurants

It's Hispanic Heritage Month! Here are nine ways to celebrate in Nashville.

How To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Nashville

9 Ways To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Nashville

People, places, and scenes from Nashville's past.

Nashville History

Even though I haven't been in school for some time, the back-to-school vibe this time of year always makes me want a new plaid OOTD. (It doesn’t hurt that it’s the Jewish New Year, too, and traditionally I wear something new-to-me for the holiday.) Local fashion designers might not have the same profile as Nashville musicians, but creativity reigns here, so I set out to discover the work of some of Music City’s fashion designers.

If you want to feel like the Nashville elite, head to Savas Nashville in Wedgewood-Houston. That’s the atelier of Savannah Yarborough, who makes bespoke and made-to-measure leather goods for A-listers and the rest of us, because if one of her jackets is good enough for the likes of John Prine (RIP) and Jack White, it’s good enough for us. Savas develops its own leathers with a tannery in Italy to make men’s and women’s 

 so packed with personality that you’ll want to stock up, even if you’re not someone who sees cowboy boots as part of the essential Nashvillian wardrobe. Ramer has an impeccable sense of style and recently moved the shop into Wedgewood-Houston, which means lots more room for lots more stuff. Must-haves this fall are the 14-inch wingtips, which are a good take on Nashville “office” wear, and a pink boot called, of course, the Dolly, which Jaylin is introducing this week. I also love Planet Cowboy’s 

 grad Liz Alig has designed fair-trade clothing using sustainable textiles, selling online and through boutiques. Earlier this year, she opened her first retail space. The Riverside Village shop is light and airy, showcasing her 

. Every piece is made from recycled textiles or handwoven cotton, farmer-sourced wool, and hand-knit natural sweaters. The shop features lots of pretty, patterned wool you can get your hands on right now.

Natalie Busby’s soft, flowy womenswear is designed and made in Nashville and sold out of an East Nashville studio. Many of the pieces are solid colors with an ethereal quality, ready to toss in a suitcase or wear when the temperatures are hot, but the calendar says “fall.”

Fashionistas, check out these Nashville fashion designers for your next look.

Check Out These Nashville Fashion Designers

Nashville Fashion Designers 

, the singular Mediterranean-inspired coffee shop on Third Avenue South, admiring its aesthetic vibes and thought, “I wish I could live here. I wish my life looked like it was set in this movie,” you’re in luck. No, you can’t actually move in. But Shivani and Alexandros Darsinos, the couple behind the cafe, opened 

 this summer, where you can buy clothing designed by Alex that fits the babu aesthetic. Alex is an architect (yes, he designed the cafe and the shop), and he had always wanted to launch his own fashion house.

It was during one of the couple’s first dates, Shivani says, that they opened up to each other. “I told him, ‘I'm passionate about coffee; I want to open up a coffee shop.’ And he said, ‘I really want to have my own clothing line one day.’ But it definitely seemed like a far-fetched journey.”

As the couple worked together, opening cafe babu, and seeing it grow into a neighborhood gathering place as much as a coffee shop, other dreams seemed less far-fetched. In July, they opened Leo Vas, kitty-corner from cafe babu in Chestnut Hill. The storefront has that signature Darsinos look, with natural stone, hand-finished plaster, sculptural stone, and wood furnishings. Inside are clothes made from fabrics the couple had created specifically for their line.

Both Shivani and Alex are first-generation Americans; her family is from India, through Bowling Green, Kentucky. His roots are from Greece. They combined both traditions in sourcing materials, with metallic threading and cottons, and colors that are rich and deep but not flashy, designed for day-to-night silhouettes. Many of these pieces in the store are limited edition, including one-of-a-kind purses and jewelry from other designers.

The pieces are surprisingly affordable given the fabric quality and small quantities made. Shivani says that was intentional, to give folks an alternative to mass-produced clothes. Leo Vas offers both 

If you see some construction when you shop at Leo Vas, don’t be surprised. The couple is already at work on their 

 project, Bar Ena, which will be adjacent to the store and is scheduled to open later this year.

Meet the owners behind one of Nashville's newest fashion houses, Leo Vas.

Nashville's Newest Fashion House

Meet Nashville Fashion House Leo Vas

  Rachel Iacovone

Marie Cecile Anderson

 move to Nashville every single day. While our growth has indubitably led to 

, Nashville has long been a city of transplants (

), who have shaped our history, music, culture, and much more. Have you just moved to Nashville? Here are some tips! And I hope locals find something new on this list, too.

, but if all you know of Nashville is Lower Broadway, then you don’t know us at all. We’ve got so many 

 might give you the perfect excuse to explore the rest of the city.

Our weather can be iffy, at best. One minute it’s hotter than the spiciest chicken; the next, there’s a tornado or an ice storm. The guys behind 

 have saved lives with their minute-by-minute updates during weather emergencies. Make sure to 

🛣️ Learn the Rules for Driving in Nashville

While we’re working on improving public transit, for now Nashville is still a driver’s city. And to be honest, as a whole, we’re not the best drivers. Make sure to listen to our chat about the 

, and try to keep your cool and stay safe!

Whenever people ask me what my favorite part of Nashville is, I say it’s the trees. We have possibly the 

Tune into our local music discovery station, 

, for concerts and events across all genres of music, from punk to classical and so much more. Here’s a list of some of our 

 outside Kurdistan. You can support that community at some of our favorite restaurants, like 

, and also by keeping an eye out for events like the Kurdish New Year and Newroz at 

. Plaza Mariachi is also the hub for a lot of our Latino community. Attend a salsa night or play loteria weekly there, and be sure to get a mangonada at a nearby michoacana.

Many chains and restaurants from other major cities in the U.S. (looking at you, New York) have moved to Nashville recently, but you can find a locally owned eatery from pretty much 

 if you know where to look. Our rec? Start by following local Nashvillians like Anas Saba, who runs 

Many favorite local businesses have recently closed, and one of the best ways to support your new city and get to know it better is by shopping local! Sign up for our 

👋 How to make friends in Nashville

Just moved to Nashville? Here are some tips, from must-follow social accounts to local eateries.

 8 Tips for New Nashvillians

New to Nashville? Here’s Our Advice.

Can You Guess the Rent on These Nashville Listings?

Guess the Rent in Nashville

Explainers

What Nashvillians have been wondering. We break down why things in Nashville are the way they are and how they work.

Nashville, Explained

We’re all devastated by Dolly Parton’s death. Dolly left behind such a beautiful legacy that goes far beyond her work as a musician. Over the years, Nashville artists have commemorated Dolly with murals around town. Here are 10 such murals. If you know of more, 

 in 2020, this Dolly Parton mural on the side of indie music venue The 5 Spot in East Nashville is perhaps the most popular. The mural includes a Black Lives Matter quote from Dolly.

Kim Radford was also commissioned by Dolly’s niece, Rebecca Seaver, to paint 

 of Dolly reading to her as a child. It’s my personal favorite Dolly mural, celebrating her early childhood literacy work through the Imagination Library.

Okay, one last mural from Kim Radford! She painted 

 on the side of Velvet Taco’s East Nashville location, right by the pickup window.

Head to one of our favorite Lower Broadway honky-tonks for 

 that says “If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain” in a ribbon around the musician’s portrait. Artist 

While you’re on Lower Broadway, stop at this mural on the side of the Legends Corner honky-tonk. 

 painted the mural, and it features many country music legends, including Dolly.

l on the side of Urban Cookhouse says “I Will Always Love You, Nashville,” with Dolly’s silhouette playing guitar in the “I.”

Turn off Bransford Avenue onto East Iris Drive in Berry Hill to find this mural of famous musicians, including Dolly, painted on the side of fences, right by Columbine Park. Nashville artist 

This series also includes multiple portraits of 

, such as Dolly, on the side of a supplier’s warehouse.

Hop up to the second floor of the Grand Ole Opry for 

While you’re in the area, head to The Nashville Palace for the “

💖 Remembering Dolly

Over the years, Nashville artists have commemorated Dolly with murals around town. Here are 10 such murals.

Check Out These 10 Dolly Parton Murals in Nashville

Where To Find Dolly Parton Murals in Nashville

We asked you for your memories of Dolly Parton, and your emails keep pouring in. Dolly was such a shining light in this world. Here are some of your Dolly memories.

 books for my granddaughter, born in 2013, who received your books in 2020. You will be missed but not forgotten.”

“She was the hallmark of grace and compassion in the industry with a huge heart, a smile, and a song for everyone. God bless Dolly, and may she be with her family during this time.”

“My daughter was almost three when the pandemic hit. She first knew Dolly as an angel who funded the vaccine that saved millions of lives and safeguarded hers.

We arrived in Nashville when she was four — just one month before her brother was born. Representatives of Dolly’s came to the hospital room where my son was born to register the kids in her Imagination Library, where they each got the gift of one book every month until they turned five.

My son just received his last book, and a special happy birthday and happy graduation video from Dolly.

We all know her and love her for different things. Wonderful things. She moved us all. What an incredible person and incredible life. The very definition of leaving the campsite better than you found it.”

“Dolly was pure love and joy, she bridged sexes, politics, skin color, any and all that divide us. Incredible woman who could laugh at herself, make self-deprecating jokes, and still shine on!”

Dolly Parton is one of Tennessee's greatest contributions to the world. Nashville locals share their memories of the late music icon.

Nashville, Explained

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Margaret Kingsbury

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