A banner reading “El Hornito Bakery #2” appeared back in April above a unit in the multi-tenant commercial development on Rutherford Boulevard that also houses Nacho’s Mexican Restaurant and Little Caesar’s.
The bakery is now open and serving Mexican bread and pastries. Check out some amazing cakes on its Facebook page.
El Hornito Bakery #1 is on Murfreesboro Road in Nashville.
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In other bakery news, a possible third bakery is coming to downtown Murfreesboro. A sign appeared on a window in one of the buildings on Maple Street near Marina’s that said “Nonie’s Bakery. Coming soon.”
You’ll know more when I know more.
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It’s no secret that one of my favorite places is Simply Pure Sweets on Walnut Street. As I reported last month, owner Chantell Kennedy-Shehan tied the knot with Bread Man Matthew Joseph, who started baking bread full-time at the bakery. To reflect the new menu options, the Kennedy-Shehan-Josephs have rolled out a new logo featuring wheat.
I think they should name the new bread brand Simply Pure Wheats, but we’ll have to wait to see if they take my suggestion.
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Hop Springs has opened its Steel Barrel taproom to the public to enjoy its 18 rotating beers and growler filling station offering Life Is Brewing beer brands: Mantra Artisan Ales, Steel Barrel Brewing and Humulus Project.
Hop Springs has plans for opening other amenities in 2019. This will include a brewhouse, 18-hole disc golf course, three-acre dog park, a pond overlook, 360-degree outside stage, 5,000-seat amphitheater and more. Hop Springs is a family-friendly facility, and guests are encouraged to bring their dogs to enjoy the farm.
The 83-acre research and education farm and production brewery will house the offices of Life Is Brewing, as well as fermentation and sensory labs for MTSU’s Fermentation Science program. For more information, visit hopspringstn.com.
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Sun Tan City Acquires Hot Spot
From 1999–2018, Hot Spot Tanning had provided vitamin D and UV rays to the people of Middle Tennessee.
But on Dec. 3, the business was sold to Sun Tan City for “strictly personal reasons,” owner Lyvonn Reese said in a letter posted to her Facebook page. A majority of the company’s nine locations closed but Sun Tan City converted two Hot Spots spots on Rutherford Boulevard and Nolensville Road. Clients can fulfill all their tanning needs and outstanding package credits there.
Their infrared- and red-light clients were directed to Float Alchemy to continue their treatments.
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More Business News of Note
Enchanted Planet is moving from its longtime Lytle Street location to its own Broad Street building near Mercury Boulevard—look for the truck parked near the street displaying some of the Enchanted Planet merchandise in a glass encasement. Enchanted Planet will hold a grand opening celebration at the new location Jan. 18–19.
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The good people of Walter Hill don’t have to drive into town to have their shipping needs met anymore. Postal Plus Shipping and More recently opened at 5987 Lebanon Rd. The new shop seeks to fulfill the packing, shipping, printing and business service needs of residents in that section of Rutherford County.
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Andy’s Frozen Custard has opened on Memorial Boulevard in its retro building, not far from SportsCom. This is the second Andy’s that has opened in Tennessee, the first being the Spring Hill location.
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Buff’s Subs Burgers Wings has opened at 451 N. Thompson Ln., in the location formerly occupied by Smashburger.
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The Country Gourmet has started selling the coffee alternative NuJo. The blend of chicory root, quinoa and spices claims to be prebiotic, detoxifying, caffeine-free and locally made.
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Locally owned coffee roaster Just Love Coffee will open its eighth location at Fountains at Gateway in early 2019.
“Fountains at Gateway is an ideal home for our newest coffee cafe,” said Rob Webb, co-founder of Just Love Coffee. “We were drawn to the Class A quality of the development as well as the events and entertainment that bring the community to Fountains. Also, its location on Medical Center Parkway next to St. Thomas Rutherford is convenient to everything and equidistant to our two other coffee cafes in Murfreesboro.”
If you haven’t been to one (really, did you just move here?), Just Love Coffee Café serves a full menu of its specialty drip coffee, caffeinated specialty drinks, traditional espresso, cold brews and signature lattes as well as a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, sandwiches, salads and sweets. Just Love Coffee Café at Fountains will be located in a 1,897-square-foot retail space adjoining the pocket park that connects the retail space and five-story office building. The interior build-out of the coffee shop is underway and the projected opening date is March 2019.
Just Love Coffee also partnered with Nashville’s Tennessee Brew Works and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy this holiday season to support conservation efforts with their coffee roast or a beer toast. A portion of the sales of the “State Parks Coffee” and the “State Park Blonde Ale” support the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit partner of the state parks system.
Just Love Coffee produced three flavors branded as Tennessee State Parks varieties—Earthy Blueberry for West Tennessee, Chocolate Raisin for Middle Tennessee and Smoky Blueberry for East Tennessee. The coffee flavors are available for sale in 16 state park gift shops across the state, including Cumberland Mountain, Fall Creek Falls, Montgomery Bell, Roan Mountain, Cedars of Lebanon, Dunbar Cave, Henry Horton, Natchez Trace, Old Stone Fort, Paris Landing, Pickett, Pickwick Landing, Radnor Lake, Reelfoot Lake, Sycamore Shoals and the central office at the Tennessee Tower in downtown Nashville. Tennessee State Parks staffer David Pineros did the artwork on the labels.
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Closings Corner
On Dec. 14, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop announced in a Facebook post that it was closing to business just two days later.
“It’s been a great run, folks, but the team at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has decided it’s time to close our restaurant. After thousands of tacos and who-knows-how-many beers and frozen drinks, we have arrived at the very difficult decision that Sunday, December 16th, will be our last day of operation,” the post said.
The local franchise was opened in Fountains at Gateway on Medical Center Parkway by restaurant industry veterans Sean Chambers and Richard Phillips. The pair owns the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop franchise for the Nashville area, including Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties. Murfreesboro was their first location.
“We simply don’t have the resources to continue, try as we might,” Chambers continued.
He added there will soon be another restaurant opening nearby and the staff is invited to work there. Maybe it’s the Just Love.
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The couple behind eClips Barbershop decided to close the business after trying to make a go of it following the shooting of co-owner Eric Ortiz on Nov. 2.
Ortiz was shot point blank in the chest at the shop that he co-owned with his wife, Alicia. After only a month, Ortiz attempted to return to work but it was too taxing and the couple was forced to close the shop.
Antonio Hurt II turned himself in to Murfreesboro police in connection to the shooting. He is currently making his way through the justice system. There is a GoFundMe to help the Ortiz family with medical expenses.
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While it still might be temporary, Azteca Mexican Grill on Broad Street remains closed after fire damage. No official word on when it might reopen.
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Other closings worth noting include the Subway at 206 N. Thompson Lane, and the Gap at The Avenue, which has announced that its last day will be Jan. 26.
