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 store in the Hill Center. 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 The Mall at Green Hills: A collection of luxury brands anchored by Nordstrom, 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 Hollie Ray Boutique and Bazooka Subs.
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 skincare, makeup, haircare, and all the other stuff you might grab at a big box store. Plus, expert staff can help you make smart choices through salon services 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 Jellycat, limited to one per day per person), board games, and books. The day I stopped in, they were sold out of Needoh; check their social media in advance if that’s on your wish list. Need even more kids’ books? Walk from here to Ann Patchett’s Parnassus Books, 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 Marie Cecil Anderson swears by it, and she has never led me astray. I plan to swing by ASAP. Find more of her Green Hills picks here.
