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 Cerebrum 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 — and park only once — then all the better.
ROOTED is a Nashville-based purveyor of sneakers, hoodies, sweaters, and other fits. Inside the Gulch shop is Café ROOTED, 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 Beau’s Bar, 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.
Nashvillian Hannah Schneider once owned Kettner Coffee Supply 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.
Forevermore and Bagelshop
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.”
The Nashville Farmers’ Market is overflowing with options. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
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 about their childhood faves.)
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 L&L Market is now a collection of places to shop and eat. Stop by Amelia’s Flowers for a bouquet to take home. growUp has everything you could want for your kids, from party supplies to toys to clothing. Vinnie Louise stocks casual women’s clothing, jewelry, and even its own line of signature scents. Fuel up with a snack from Marigold Gourmet Popcorn, or a full meal at Thai Ni Yom, a next-level Thai restaurant.
In Germantown, a former slaughterhouse has become Nashville’s best mixed-use development. With local restaurants like Babychan and Charmers, the Neuhoff District is a go-to for dining out. Grab a fit from Sid and Ann Mashburn for men’s and women’s clothing. Dress your house in style, too, at Love Train Antiques & Home.
The Nashville Farmers' Market 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 here. Inside also depends on your mood, with Fluffed Up cotton candy, Bubble Love Nashville boba, and beer at The Picnic Tap, followed by browsing through Gardens of Babylon and Intentional Illumination. Plus, where else can you eat and shop next to a state park?
