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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

There’s a fair amount of research exploring the idea of multitasking being a myth. Seems like maybe our brains can’t actually do two things at once. This article in 

 suggests that even trying costs our brains a lot. And yet! Life and scheduling make efficiency appealing. As you know, Nashville parking is a challenge, so if we can find places to shop and eat or drink — 

ROOTED is a Nashville-based purveyor of sneakers, hoodies, sweaters, and other fits. Inside the Gulch shop is 

, a coffee shop where you can nab flavored lattes and the ROOTED Beer Float, a root beer float with a double shot of espresso and vanilla cold foam. That should give you the necessary sugar and caffeine fix to try on as many shoes as you like.

Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott in 12 South isn’t a locally owned purveyor of Western goods and jewelry: This is the Texas brand’s fourth store. But inside the shop is 

, a 40-seat cocktail lounge that doesn’t exist anywhere but Nashville. It's got a vibe that offers respite from the 12 South hubbub, while also taking advantage of the buzz.

 in East Nashville. It closed in 2022, and I thought it was just one of those places that made up Nashville’s past. Last year, Kettner Coffee Supply came back, opening inside Jade & Clover, a plant bar and gift shop in the Gulch.

There must be something about coffee shops and shopping. Two more options for double-dipping include East Nashville’s Forevermore and Donelson’s Bagelshop. Forevermore offers jewelry and handmade goods by local artists — plus a photobooth — in addition to their popular matcha. Bagelshop has a small but mighty selection of cheeky, bagel-themed goods. I love their merch with their signature saying, “Thanks a lox.”

In some circles, the word "mall" is a four-letter word. Hanging out, going from store to store, people-watching, and grabbing a snack may not have the allure they did in previous generations. (For a nostalgia boost, 

listen to the City Cast Nashville team reminisce

But the idea of a place with lots of different entertainment, food, and shopping options under one roof still brings people in. Here are three spots in Nashville that are home to collections of small businesses and locally-owned shops to check out; just don’t call them malls.

A former hosiery mill and restaurant equipment warehouse, Charlotte Avenue’s 

 is now a collection of places to shop and eat. Stop by 

 has everything you could want for your kids, from party supplies to toys to clothing. 

 stocks casual women’s clothing, jewelry, and even its own line of signature scents. Fuel up with a snack from 

In Germantown, a former slaughterhouse has become Nashville’s best mixed-use development. With local restaurants like 

 is a go-to for dining out. Grab a fit from 

 for men’s and women’s clothing. Dress your house in style, too, at 

 may be known for its fruit-and-vegetable stands, but once you arrive, you’ll quickly see it’s also a place for beer, ice cream, and wood-fired pizza, plus shopping for knick-knacks, plants, and bath soaps. The selection both inside the market house and outside in the farm sheds means it’s never the same place twice. A full list of outdoor vendors is listed 

. Inside also depends on your mood, with 

. Plus, where else can you eat and shop next to 

Nashville's parking situation is dire. Here are some one-stop options where you can shop and eat without having to move the car.

Where in Nashville to shop, eat … and park once

Two-for-One Shopping Stops in Nashville

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

Whether it’s your own dad or some other father figure, there’s probably someone in your life who would like to hear, “Thanks for your help.” You can do that any time, of course, but Sunday is a sanctioned holiday for it. Below are some ideas for local gifts and things to do together.

Musician and perfumer Steve Soderholm launched Ranger Station in Nashville more than a decade ago, after he made a candle in a reusable whiskey glass. Now the company is known for its fragrances and its celeb collabs. There’s even car cologne — and if your dad’s car smells like mine (a combination of dog fur, wet paddleboard gear, and leftovers), that would be a welcome gift; choose from 

Stick Season Car Freshener (feat. Noah Kahan)

, which they say smells like “2:00 tee time, classic cologne, tucked-in polo, Jaguar XJ interior.”

I love to be outside, and when it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, I need to be on the water. I no longer own Nashville Paddle Co., but I did for more than a decade, so I can tell you with confidence that taking dad for a 

 is a masterclass in family bonding, with the added bonus of great photos.

Think you can’t afford to take Dad out for Father’s Day? Great news: Leiper’s Fork Distillery is offering “penny pours” — yes, 

 of Tennessee whiskey for just $0.01 all day this Sunday. While there, you can take a tour of the distilling process and splurge on 

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint turns 20 this year. All summer, they’ll be selling limited-edition versions of some of their past t-shirts. Start the series off by buying Dad the 

 shirt (seems like a good message these days). You can grab 

Treat Your Way Through the History of Father’s Day

While prepping today’s newsletter, I Googled the history of Father’s Day, and promptly fell into a research rabbit hole. So, here’s a story even a long-winded dad could love. You can share it with him while driving to the 

, which is offering free admission for fathers on Sunday.

I read a bunch of fascinating stories about the “first” Father’s Day observances, from the 

 in West Virginia. In 1918, Pres. Woodrow Wilson wanted to make Father’s Day a holiday, but Congress apparently turned it down because they were worried it would get 

. In light of that, instead of buying dad a gift, why not take him to 

Father’s Day wasn’t a permanent, national holiday until Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. According to the “

,” the date was chosen because it was far enough away from Mother’s Day that preachers would have time to come up with completely different sermons. PS: Does your dad enjoy almanacs? He might appreciate a rare or antique volume from 

 was introduced as early as 1871, first recognized as a holiday in 1914, and immediately had widespread acceptance. Apparently, Father’s Day didn’t catch on as quickly as Mother’s Day because some dudes thought the idea of flowers and appreciation was 

. To get your dad a macho plant instead, check out the amazing selection at 

 in Donelson. They’ll even pot it up for him.

From cologne to experiences, here are some great ideas for Father's Day gifts in Nashville.

Where To Go for Father’s Day Gifts in Nashville

Father’s Day Finds in Nashville

It wasn’t that long ago that Nashville was a bookstore desert. In fact, one of the reasons that author 

 in 2011 was that both of the city’s big 

 and she didn’t want to live in a city without an independent bookstore — or any bookstore at all.

Well, it seems like Patchett had a crystal ball. Nashville is in 

, with some new ones recently opened, others about to open, and some old favorites getting better and expanding. Plus, there’s a spate of 

, including a few that used to be mobile-only and now have brick-and-mortar spots. Browse the offerings on this list and grab your summer beach reads.

Last week, East Nashville’s decade-old book nook 

 announced it is moving to a larger location. Later this year, it’ll move to a house in McFerrin Park, nearly three times bigger than the cozy, well-edited current shop (already The Bookshop’s second location; it previously outgrew a spot in the 

). The new house will include a porch and a coffee nook. The current shop, stocked with cookbooks, literary nonfiction, and, yes, my 

, is open for business until the move. (More on this move 

.) Other East Nashville bookstores worth popping into include 

If you like to read romance novels, two bookmobile businesses have planted roots in East Nashville. 

 sells used books from a cozy, light-filled shop in Riverside Village. While it isn’t all romance, there’s a good selection, plus other fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, and more, all at flat-rate prices. For romance-only, head to Afro Latina-owned 

, where the shelves are packed and the vibes are moody.

Speaking of moody vibes, that’s the idea at 

, a new bookshop/bar/coffee shop in Brentwood. Danniele Reeves opened the spot to provide the community a place to hang out, and in the short time it's been open, I think it’s done just that. Every time I stop by, I see families, book clubs and just groups of friends looking to gab, sip and read, all while being surrounded by a dark academia aesthetic.

 is now open in Wedgewood-Houston. Its initial press materials promised more than 1,000 sq. ft. of literary titles, stationery, and writing supplies. Meanwhile, 

 opened in Old Hickory in December and is hosting local journalists/authors 

Personally, I’m having a good start to a Good Book Summer (GBS), during which I set a goal to read more books — and doomscroll less. I always read a lot of nonfiction for article research, and I just finished “

. It publishes June 16, and I'll have an interview with Alabanza in the 

 next week. It's part history lesson on the contributions of Black America to the development of ice cream and part cookbook. I've flagged several recipes I'm ready to try, perhaps to eat on my deck while I'm reading.

To start my GBS, I got sucked into the wild ride of tradwife time travel book "

.” I didn't realize it took place in Idaho, which is where I grew up, so I got lost and went on a deep dive of the geography on top of tracking the outrageous plot. Next, I read back-to-back books that have similar titles but could not be more different: “

” “Dandelion is Dead” is a sweet, weird charmer. “Beth is Dead” is a YA thriller inspired by “

.” My nickname is Meg, which my mom gave me because she loved “Little Women,” so I feel a connection to the March sisters (although I’m more of a Jo than a Meg).

, at Parnassus last month, talking about his new book, “

.” In the novel, one character goes up in a UFO while his husband is left in the backyard in Palm Springs. At the beginning of the talk, Rowley asked audience members to raise their hands if they would go with the aliens if a spaceship with a bright light showed up in their backyard. I was sitting toward the front, so I couldn't fully see how many people behind me were responding, but it seemed to me that I was in the minority. Most people would stay home. It seemed obvious (to me) that this was a chance to explore worlds I would never otherwise get to see. But I guess other people are worried about alien probes. 

👽 Go with aliens or stay?

Nashville's indie bookstore scene is booming. Snag a great summer read at one of these local shops.

Snag Your Summer Reads at These Indie Shops

Where To Buy Your Summer Beach Read

 Not all of us locals love negotiating the big crowds of CMA Fest and Bonnaroo to see live music, so I thought this would be a good time to chat about shopping for vinyl. What better time to find some new tunes and hole up at home to listen without paying for parking downtown?

 offers the dream combination: A big record selection and a full bar. Browse racks of new and used vinyl, then talk about it with your friends while you enjoy a cocktail or two. If you’re a dedicated record collector, join their 

 that earns you $33.33 after 10 new record purchases of $30 or more.

 is one of Nashville’s leading independent music spots. New releases are popular draws (check the 

 for the details each week), but collectors also like to spend time combing through bins on two floors. Don’t skip the 

. The murals on the exterior are photo-op favorites.

The sleek black exterior that houses Jack White’s 

 hides a shop full of riotous color and fun discovery. The store, of course, stocks music from the Third Man label, plus other novelties. Reserve a spot in advance for $30 to take a 

 of the recording facility. Their adjoining venue, 

, hosts everything from concerts to game and trivia nights.

 is one of my favorite places to look around and pretend I live in a house that looks like a retro movie set. 

 is located inside that Trinity Lane shop, and stocks some rare finds — check their Instagram for new arrivals. (Anybody else experiencing extreme nostalgia at the sight of 

Perhaps you want to be a little farther away from the city this weekend, so I’ve got some ideas for vinyl shops that are worth paying current gas prices. Each of these are in towns about an hour away, and are easy destinations for a day trip.

I’m a diehard fan of Columbia, Tennessee and that’s in part because of its public square, chock-full of cool shops like 

. Make a day of it and eat well while there. I love 

 with my whole heart (bring me a pastrami, please), and people who frequented Savarino’s when it was in Hillsboro Village will be happy to visit their market in Columbia.

, is a woman-owned gem open 7 a.m-10 p.m. daily, so there’s no time that they won’t be able to cure your jonesing for a new album. And, of course, The Factory has plenty of other shops, restaurants, bars, and even a restored 

People sometimes roll their eyes at me when I tell them I am headed to 

. It takes me less time to get there from Inglewood than it takes to get to Franklin, but I guess because it is in a different state, it seems far. Once there I can check out 

 in Bowling Green. It wasn’t until last year that I learned he was a real person from Bowling Green, and not just a name on a cake mix.

 is a great place to window shop and check out public art galleries and the 

, an old-school shop where the staff want to chat with you about your favorite finds.

My fave vinyl spot

What's your favorite record shop?

If the crowds from music festival season are getting you down, try these record shops and day trips to find some new tunes you can enjoy at home.

Great Vinyl Shops in and Around Nashville

Local Shops and Day Trips for Vinyl Lovers

There’s so much cool stuff to do in Nashville every summer, and of course, that means we need fits that keep us cool in the Music City heat. But stuff’s expensive these days, and not everyone has bank. Here are some of my favorite second-hand places for finding that perfect summer wardrobe.

If you’re a dedicated thrifter, I hope these places in East Nashville and Donelson help you find some new gems. And if traditional thrift stores (with mounds of unsorted stuff) aren’t your jam, you might like these more curated experiences. Once you get into second-hand shopping, you’re going to be amazed by what’s out there.

Keara Sexton opened this store in the old Brassfield’s space earlier this year, with help from her mom, former consignment shop owner Karen Goddard. They focus on trending styles from quality brands: Frances Valentine, Frye, and Farm Rio. There’s even a whole rack of 

 (during the week, no intake on weekends). But leave the fast fashion at home: Cherry Picked stocks both men’s and women’s styles. Of course, clothes don’t have gender. Wear whatever you want!

This destination on Dickerson Pike stocks men’s and women’s clothes and shoes, plus some higher-end designer pieces in the back — that back room is perfect for stage wear. Proceeds are used to help 

 and its treatments. This store is packed with merchandise, so come prepared to flip through the racks.

has impeccable taste. Take advantage of it by shopping at

her Inglewood store, stocked with a curated selection of cowboy boots, belts, jewelry and more. HCH shares a parking lot space with 

, which boasts a selection of 1960s and 1970s clothing, records, patches and other blasts from the past.

Shopping as a plus-sized person is a pain in the ass, pardon my French. Many brands don’t carry extended sizes, and when they do, they are only available online. Julie Hollis and Shannon Clemons opened 

 in Donelson so that you can actually try on plus-size clothes in person. Emphasis is on women’s styles from affordable, but not fast-fashion brands (no Shein here). They 

 is more than just a store — technically, it is two stores, both in small houses across the street from one another. It’s also a nonprofit that gives young women enrolled in their programs $100 to shop at their stores four times a year. That means women in need get to have some agency in the clothes they receive, and get to build their own sense of style, whether they are shopping for school or work.

 either by shopping at TenThirtyFive, where proceeds fund those programs, or by donating good-quality used clothes. The 

 with formal gowns (if you are going to an award ceremony, stop here first), workout clothes, sundresses, handbags and more. Sometimes you’ll find discounted, brand-new Draper James clothing, donated by the brand. Styles tend to fit the store’s mission, with clothes you could wear to work or workout, with relatively modest cuts.

Inventory is well organized, clean and in excellent condition. Sizing is inclusive and lighting and dressing rooms make it easy to shop second-hand.

Need a bite at the end of all that shopping? Pop by Donelson’s 

 for tea, baked goods and a place to talk about your new treasures.

We need fits that keep us cool in the Nashville heat. But stuff’s expensive these days, and not everyone has bank. Here are some of our favorite second-hand places for finding that perfect summer wardrobe. 


Keep It Local

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Two-for-One Shopping Stops in Nashville

Father’s Day Finds in Nashville

Where To Buy Your Summer Beach Read

Latest articles

Local Shops and Day Trips for Vinyl Lovers

Our Favorite Fashionable Thrift Shops