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City Cast Nashville

Keep It Local

Keep It Local by City Cast Nashville features spotlights on local businesses we love, and personal, curated, and neighborly recommendations that will help you live your best Nashville life right now. So, if you’re ready to ditch the national chains, e-commerce giants, and corporate restaurants, sign up today for our new weekly newsletter.

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Margaret Littman

My 9-to-5 is pretty sweet these days. Writing about the city’s best local shopping means I explore different neighborhoods and talk to small-business owners who are excited to share their passions. It also has me reflecting on shopping, and ways to do it responsibly. This week, I pulled together suggestions for places that help you reduce the waste inherent in shopping, such as stocking products with less packaging or offering refills for makeup, hair products, cleaning products, and more, so you get the good stuff without the trash. Check out these low- and no-waste suggestions.

At either of The Good Fill’s locations (The Nations and East Nashville), you can buy personal care, makeup, and cleaning products that are refillable and/or don’t require one-use plastics. You can bring your own containers — the website has great info on 

 first — or buy reusable ones. When you see me walking through Five Points with a giant bag of empty bottles, you’ll know I am on my way to buy dish soap, laundry detergent, 

. I suspect my house guests hate trying to decipher my handwriting to figure out what is in each bottle, but it’s the price we pay for not throwing more crap out.

So much stuff we buy and use regularly comes in plastic that many of us don’t even think about. At Sage Refill Market in 12 South, you can grab essentials in refillable or reusable containers and other alternative packaging. Check out their 

 for removing laundry stains. (I should buy a couple of those. Earlier this year, a bartender saw me spill wine on myself from across the room and brought me a stain stick to save my blouse. Instead of being embarrassed, 

In addition to selling low-toxin and low-waste 

, Good Better Best’s shop in The Nations is a Vinted Go location. That means if you are buying or selling on the second-hand app 

, you can pick up purchases and ship others. Of course, sending things through the mail does have some environmental impact, but buying second-hand still seems like a win. GBG also offers delivery of their refills. They call themselves the “modern-day milkman” for the stuff you need every day.

I have yet to make it to Tare Bulk Foods in Dickson, but they have more than 170 spices and 120 dry goods available in bulk, so it’s on my must-shop list. (I’m planning a trip to 

 soon, so I’m about to have a Dickson adventure. 

?) They’re also opening a second location in Columbia, where I’m smitten with 

, so I will find any excuse for a Columbia day trip.

💅 Our favorite fashionable thrift shops

Reduce your waste by shopping at these Nashville area stores that take sustainability seriously.

How To Shop Sustainably in Nashville

Nashville’s Zero-Waste Shopping Guide

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

You don’t have to shop exclusively at stores that focus on refilling to reduce waste. Personally, I don’t need a reason to go to 

, the spectacular chocolate shop founded by Evana Stoner and her father Mark. The pretty chocolates are enough. But if you want a reason, Poppy & Peep is accepting 

, the kinds that come when you have something refrigerated shipped to you. If you have a stockpile of medium- and large-sized packs with no holes, drop them off and buy some chocolate.

Buying in bulk can be a good way to stock up on essentials without accumulating extra containers. The 

 locations have small bulk sections, with dry bulk goods (think coffee and herbs) that are 

 in Sylvan Park is another destination for bulk shoppers, and it’s not just food either. 

 in East Nashville carries lines of refillable eyeshadow and other 

If you care about respecting Mother Nature, as Dolly told us to, follow 

). Abby Schneider founded it in 2017, after seeing contamination at the local recycling centers. “There wasn't a lot of information out there about the dos and don'ts of recycling in Nashville. I wanted to help eliminate the confusion,” she says. The account is way more than recycling advice now. Schneider offers resources on preventing waste, and 

 for items that might otherwise be trash but could help others. Empty prescription bottles, for example, can be used by veterinary clinics.

I originally learned about Schneider through my neighborhood 

 group. (If you’re not in your Buy Nothing group on Facebook, go sign up!) Then we both joined the board of 

, so I must plug the shop in Chestnut Hill, where you can donate fabric, art materials, pots, and picture frames, and find whatever you didn’t know you needed. TGCR is hosting its annual 

 on Sept. 23. The silent auction will include fun stuff from your favorite local stores. See you there?

Embrace sustainable shopping at these local stores in Nashville.

Even More Sustainable Ways To Shop in Nashville

More Ways To Reduce Waste in Nashville

We’ve been conditioned to think that Music Valley, the neighborhood around Gaylord Opryland, is exclusively for tourists. There are certainly a lot of things that attract visitors, including the 

, tours, many hotels, and even a campground. But there are also lots of little gems tucked away that are part of my regular shopping routine, places that are quirky, weird, and locally owned — even one that has a bus inside. So, this week’s neighborhood guide is a look at Music Valley. (You can read my previous neighborhood shopping guide, to Old Hickory, 

If you adore the mid-century modern aesthetic, this is the place to buy beautiful furniture, or just admire the handiwork. I'm currently coveting a set of 

 chairs, but they’re not in the cover-with-dog-hair budget. In addition to selling art, 

, Dashwood has a plant store in the front window, so all those glossy leaves can be yours, even if you can’t afford a sleek, vintage wood sideboard.

For years, I had an idea to build a Hanukkah menorah out of reindeer: Dancer, Prancer, etc. as the eight nights, and then Rudolph as the one who lights the others. Finding outdoor vintage reindeer that looked like the ones in my head was hard. Where did I find the final pièce de résistance? Vinterest. This is a quirky collection of dealers selling antiques, handmade goods, 

Music-themed vintage, including lots of t-shirts, hats, and belt buckles, are for sale at Wicked Ollie’s. Even if you’re not in the market, check out 

, decked out and preserved inside the shop. It’s not uncommon to catch live music performances (

 for a heads-up). Back when this space was 

 Record Shop, I met Wanda Jackson here, one of my favorite Nashville nights.

,” that practice of leaving little rubber ducks on the window of fellow Jeep-owners, I used to wonder where they found their inventory of funny, funky ducks. I wonder no more. Duckies has multiple rooms of ducks of all sizes and material, and even a 

 for you to look through. They also stock 

 candles, soaps, and other non-duck items.

🛍️ Your Guide to Shopping in Old Hickory

Our picks for local shopping in the Music Valley area, from furniture to ducks.

Where To Shop in Music Valley

The Best Shopping in Music Valley

There's a lot to do to fill your time in Music Valley, even if you’re not headed to one of the big-name attractions. One of the main draws to Music Valley Village, the strip mall that houses many of the shops mentioned above, is 

, a theater that hosts country music shows, karaoke, private events, and 

If you want to line dance like the best of them, there are two places nearby to learn some fancy footwork. 

 leads fitness classes that incorporate line-dancing moves, or head over to 

, an old-school honky-tonk. If you’ve wondered where the classic country musicians went when Broadway started playing more rock than country, the answer is Nashville Palace. In addition to hosting a regular collection of talented musicians and live music, they 

 many nights a week. There are even some times of day when teenagers (under 21) can get in on the fun.

Speaking of Nashville classics, many people claim that 

 has some of the best hot chicken in the city. I haven’t tried it, but they offer live music seven nights a week and a menu with pizza available, so if you like food so hot it clears your sinuses, give it a try. (Shoot me a message and let me know what you think.) I’ve already mentioned my love for 

 in several newsletters (you can always check back issues 

), but they sell used fabric, craft, and school supplies. Proceeds benefit adults with intellectual disabilities. Speaking of supplies, 

 is where you go for cake-decorating and other dessert supplies. It’s almost 

 is the stop. They also have live music on Saturdays.

You know I’m not going to miss an opportunity to tell you where to get on the water. The 

Cumberland River Blueway at McGavock Pike

 gives you a place to park and drop your kayak or paddleboard in the water (you’ll need to carry it down; you can’t currently bring your car to the water’s edge). Bring a friend and leave a second car at 

, and you can have a nice 5-mile paddle without leaving the city.

The Opryland area offers great small business shopping, dining, and recreation opportunities, even for locals.

Destinations for Locals Near Opryland

Ways for Locals to Have a Good Time Near Opryland 

Given my desire to avoid cyclosporiasis, I’m re-committed to buying produce that has been grown close by, rather than packaged and shipped. I used to subscribe to 

 vegetable share programs (a.k.a. CSAs), but because I travel often, it doesn’t make sense for me to reserve a weekly box. Instead, I seek out farmers without the delivery. I like the chill vibe at 

 in Madison. I have not yet made it to the 

 in East Nashville, but the next one is Aug. 23, and I plan to be there.

 I am not a medical professional; I am just a writer who likes salads. If you are immunocompromised or have concerns about your risk factors for cyclosporiasis, talk to your doctor. There’s also information from the 

 (hot tip: if you missed a Keep It Local newsletter, you can find them archived 

). Hamby’s is an Amish market, with produce grown by Amish farmers around the South, like South Carolina peaches and truly the single best ear of corn I have eaten.

Formerly known as Hendersonville Produce, Gammon’s works with local farmers to stock a small selection of in-season produce, such as tomatoes and berries. There’s 

 and a small cafe menu, too, so you can grab lunch while you shop for at-home cooking.

I didn't know much about The Produce Place, Nashville’s oldest natural and local food store, until last year when 

I wrote about the passing of its founder, Barry Burnette

, for the Nashville Scene. Burnette was the real deal, and the Sylvan Park shop engenders extreme loyalty from its long-time customers.

This local chain of natural-food grocery stores has four locations in Nashville (East Nashville, West Nashville, The Gulch, and Midtown), making it easier to find organic fruits and vegetables wherever you live. The website lists 

🧑‍🌾 Neighborhood Farmers Markets

Buy ingredients to make farm-to-table meals at home from these local produce markets.

The Best Produce Markets in Nashville

Nashville’s Best Produce Markets

 in Sylvan Park in 2008, she’s been Nashville’s reigning queen of sustainable cooking and eating. Before it was in fashion locally to talk about knowing your farmer and reducing food waste, Prasad was walking the talk, so I reached out to her about how to navigate this weird time in vegetable shopping.

“I like to visit the farms. When I know a farmer, we can be very confident in the quality of the product that we’re getting,” she says. “They will tell us if they’re concerned about a crop ahead of time. Because the weather is not the same every year, the crops are not the same every year.”

In addition to buying from farmers Prasad knows, Miel grows several of the ingredients it uses, some from its small plot at the restaurant and some from Prasad’s home. Herbs, for example, can be expensive to buy, plus the flavor doesn’t last long once they are picked. So, the chef lets Prasad know how much tarragon the kitchen needs, and she snips some that day.

 open Thursday through Sunday. They sell foods they’ve grown on their River Road farm, plus other goods from artisan farmers who share Green Door’s vision.

grow some of your own herbs and vegetables

, Prasad will help you set up your first container garden. (Container gardens can be more manageable when it comes to weeding and pest control than planting directly in the ground.) “I always tell people I’m happy to come to their homes and help them start a container garden. It’s the easiest thing when you get used to it, and it’s so rewarding,” she says. “I never, never buy lettuce. I go out to my garden and clip, and then it comes back even more robustly. I clip all that arugula, and three days later, let’s get more arugula on that sandwich. It’s easy to maintain once you get comfortable with it. Just five different little greens in a big pot can really support two people year-round.”

A chat with Nashville's queen of sustainable cooking and eating.

How and Why to Build a Container Garden

Talking Local Produce with Miel’s Seema Prasad

What you actually need for back-to-school varies from school to school, for private schools as well as within the MNPS system. Check with your individual school for dress codes, which may be something termed 

. You’ll likely need solid-color clothes, collared shirts, and no leggings as pants (they’re fine under dresses and skirts). Here are some suggestions on where to buy clothes, school supplies, and a few treats that are wants, not needs.

Local Nashvillian Jennifer Caywood opened growUP in 

 because she wanted to offer kids (and their parents) some options for child development and creativity that didn’t involve screens and batteries. The store has fun back-to-school options including a dry-erase cursive tracing board and placemats that look like looseleaf paper with No. 2 pencil napkins.

A collective of kid-centric, woman-owned businesses, East Nashville’s The Getalong stocks clothes, toys, instruments, and books (including some of my 

; thanks, Jennifer Kite). They also have a robust schedule of activities, such as 

 — one for kids ages two to second grade and another for third to sixth grade. The next session starts Aug. 24.

 and find uniforms for many local private, religious, and charter schools, from branded polos to khakis, skirts, and even scrunchies. You can save your sizes and current inventory in their database so you don’t buy what you don’t need (unless last year’s polo shirt got left in a gym bag somewhere). Owner Geoff Dennie offers a tool to help you figure out the dress code for your kids’ school by grade and gender.

Started in Belle Meade, this boutique now has a location in 

, too. Both are stocked with racks of clothes that can only be described as cute. Yes, there are plenty of basic solids that work as uniform staples, but they also carry 

It's back-to-school time! Check out these locally owned stores in Nashville for your school shopping needs.

Check Out These Locally Owned Stores for Back-to-School Shopping

The Best Stores for Back-to-School Shopping in Nashville

Many (most? all?) teachers outfit their classrooms by paying out of their own pockets — and 

teachers traditionally aren’t paid well in the U.S.

, so those pockets may not be all that full. Unfortunately, MNPS teachers aren’t allowed to make their classroom wish lists public. Of course, that doesn’t mean that their classrooms aren't in need.

If you want to contribute to your kids’ classrooms, many teachers love to have extra age-appropriate books. Green Hills’ 

 are good places to look. Consider picking up some name-brand supplies, not because teachers care about the brand name, but because quality goods tend to last longer.

MNPS is providing supply boxes for all kindergarteners and first graders this year, but you know teachers have extras in case of emergency. Think: Crayons, Kleenex, and Ticonderoga pencils. 

 in East Nashville has a wall of fancy pens and highlighters that will make any teacher happy. 

 isn't locally owned, but Nashville teachers love the White Bridge Road location because it is stocked with educational goodies (Hint: It is a great place to buy a gift card for a teacher).

Got more cash to spend? Consider buying extra sets of headphones that work with school-district-issued laptops. On a budget? Many of you know how I love 

 in Music Valley. It’s a shop jam-packed with second-hand art and craft goodies. Erasers, pens, paint, fabric, buttons, glue, poster board — you name it, they probably have it. Everything is organized by category, so it’s pretty easy to see if they have what you want. If not, head back soon; the inventory changes regularly. All of the profits from the store support work to aid folks with intellectual disabilities in the Nashville area. And if all else fails, 

🧑‍🏫 Teacher Discounts

Help Nashville teachers out by buying classroom supplies at these local stores.

Where To Buy Classroom Supplies for Teachers in Nashville

Help Nashville Teachers Stock Up for Their Classrooms

Yes, you can bake cookies at home. But it’s hot, and turning on the oven makes it hotter. Plus, Nashville has cookie shops that are doing it better — and we get to support local businesses if we buy a little treat while we are out.

Mathew infused joy into everything, especially his cookies. His recipes are the cornerstone of Pink Door’s operations, so head over to Sylvan Heights and treat yourself. The 

 is the only faux watermelon-flavored item I have ever loved.

. Like Pink Door, there are regular favorites, plus seasonal specialties. 

 is a vegan option. PS: Check out the podcast team’s 

 about the perils of being a small business owner in a big influencer world.

Lots of sugar cookies are decorated beautifully, but they’re just about the photo — they don’t taste good. Not at Baked on 8th! I also love their 

 and the same sense of style as Baked on 8th.

Opened in Donelson in 2024, Doug and Dolly’s started out when Doug was baking at home while his partner and husband Marc was going through recovery. Many things came out of that rough patch, including a gourmet cookie shop. Try the 

"A cookie here and there can make even the worst days a little bit, well, sweeter." — Mathew Rice of Pink Door Cookies

Nashville's Best Local Cookie Shops

The Best Cookies in Nashville

We are living in the golden age of Nashville bakeries, and this new era rose pretty quickly (baking pun intended). A decade ago, you could get good bread at a restaurant, but finding a shop where you could grab a loaf to take home and make a big tomato sandwich was tougher.

 in East Nashville and grab a loaf of Jennifer Latham’s olive bread, say hi to friends hanging out on the patio, and also shop for a few essentials in the 

. If I realize I need bread later in the day (when Mama Bread is already closed), I head to 

, where chef Benjamin Tyson was just named one of

I’m a huge fan of Elodie Habert and her 

. Cocorico supplies baguettes to many local restaurants, and I like to stop in for a 

 while I read a book and people-watch. There’s no Wi-Fi in the Music Row spot, so it’s a good excuse to disconnect and enjoy the baked goods. (Fun fact: “Cocorico” is 

. Sounds so much better than “cock-a-doodle-doo.”)

 “new” location in Woodbine (I know, I know), but I am planning to get there on Aug. 2. That’s when the next 

 is taking place. Buy art and vintage goods from Dozen’s employees, and the bakery will stay open an extra hour for more pastries.

When I want to impress someone, I stop at 

 I have ever seen. (The only others that come close are from Edelweiss in Highlands, North Carolina, and I yapped about those in 

.) If I am trying to impress someone vegan, then I go to 

 in Donelson. If I were trying to impress proud Houstonian and City Cast Nashville executive producer Whitney Pastorek, I’d go to 

, home of kolaches, which is a baked good that Texans feel strongly about.

 is not a local small business. But the New York cookie sensation is coming to 12 South, and I’m ready to give their 6 ounce treats a try. Who am I to turn down the opportunity to make a day sweeter?

🎂 Even More Local Bakeries

Nashville has so many great bakeries! Here are some of our favorites.