There are a few new things to do around town.
First, the team at Lanes, Trains and Automobiles recently announced that it was closing down its laser tag venue to make room for a new attraction.
“We felt like laser tag had run its course in Murfreesboro and we wanted to do something different. We saw people were throwing more Nerf tactical combat parties for their kids,” said Jimmy Patrick, owner of Lanes, Trains and Automobiles.
Called “Murf Wars,” the new offering is the first indoor foam dart arena in Murfreesboro. Players will be able to use multiple types of Nerf guns to play a live-action foam dart battle.
“We thought it would be great to have a place where kids can do a Nerf battle and their parents wouldn’t have to worry about buying the equipment, cleaning up the darts or providing a large enough space to play. We noticed other facilities in major markets opening these types of venues around the country, and we thought it was time to bring one to Murfreesboro,” Patrick said. “We’re excited to open the new attraction to the public.”
Hudson Lee was one of the lucky kids who got to try out the arena and he gave his review of Murf Wars, “It’s like playing Fortnite in real life! I loved searching for the hidden chests filled with darts. I want to come back and play again with my friends.”
Lanes, Trains and Automobiles plans to eventually offer “Murf Wars” birthday parties where the birthday boy or girl gets to use a special Nerf gun called the Birthday Blaster.
Murf Wars opened June 1 at the Lanes, Trains and Automobiles’ location at 450 Butler Dr. in Murfreesboro.
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The future is now with Virtual Reality Lounge in Stones River Mall. The new VR attraction offers industry-leading equipment to provide users with a truly immersive and exhilarating experience.
Using HTC’s VIVE headset and gear, the new lounge allows for the absolute best VR experience whether you want to visit the Eiffel Tower or battle your friends PvP.
The VR Lounge also hosts birthday or private parties, corporate events and team building activities, and even host both private and global tournaments.
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In anticipation of opening a new movie theater at the mall, AMC has rebranded Carmike Wynnsong 16, the Cason Lane multiplex, as an “AMC Classic.”
This designation means the theater will offer more “value” options like an annual refillable popcorn bucket program.
Once the Stones River Mall theater opens, a dine-in theater with 1,000 seats with full-service electronic, high-back recliners featuring seat-side dining, it will be called “AMC Stones River 9.”
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Fresh off opening a new “Wellness Emporium” in Bell Buckle, the fellows at Half Hill Farm announced they have outgrown their space at the Arts Center of Cannon County.
The kombucha and extract maker will move into the building next to DTC on High Street in Woodbury. Owners Christian Grantham and Vince Oropesa purchased the 3,600-square-feet building with plans to expand manufacturing and retail.
The High Street location will feature a kombucha tap and tasting room with growler refills, products made by the farm, handcrafted gifts and products that promote better health and well being.
Half Hill Farm is currently in the third year of a shared lease at the Arts Center of Cannon County where they make and bottle kombucha, botanical extracts, apple cider vinegar tonics, tinctures, teas and more. The new location will officially open on High Street when the lease with the Arts Center is up at the end of the year.
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The law office of McCarter|East is moving into the West Main Street building next to Whiskey Dix. After an extensive retrofit, the law office is close to opening. Maybe they’ll offer discount DUI defense to Whiskey Dix customers. There’s no harm in asking.
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The former location of Top of the Block on Lokey Avenue has a new occupant with The Bug Man. The Cassidys, along with company mascot Goldendoodle Lincoln, will move its family business from South Church Street to the building on Lokey. But don’t worry, they’ll still come to your house to kill bugs.
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Sarah Clark is expanding her side hustle and opening a brick-and-mortar letterpress shop. Called Scale House Print Shop, the new shop will be located in the old office and scale house of Clark Iron and Metal, which was built in 1961. Clark uses antique printing presses, handset metal type and hard-carved illustrations to create posters, stationery and unique invitations for special events. Scale House Print Shop will officially open June 15. For more information, check out scalehouseprintshop.com.
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Columbia’s The Faded Farmhouse is bringing its shabby chic design aesthetic a little closer to Murfreesboro with a new Arrington location. Helmed by Lori Diaz, The Faded Farmhouse offers distressed finish and chalk-painted furniture and accessories for the home. Check it out at thefadedfarmhouse.com.
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Food News
A familiar favorite, Smyrna’s Omni Hut, has reopened after a brief labor-related hiatus. The reopening doesn’t come without changes. Owner Polly Walls-Balakhani recently reported that she plans to reopen in June with a lunch buffet, because a buffet takes fewer people to operate.
Speaking of old made new, the old Camino Real on Broad Street is under new ownership and has been rebranded as Azteca Mexican Grill.
Another dining option has opened in historic Lascassas. Fatguy Barbecue has a spot to park its food truck; owner Jordan Pack is ready to fill your belly with barbecue, brisket, ribs and more at a new home directly across from Dollar General and Sweet T’s, another local food truck, on New Lascassas Highway.
Cousins Maine Lobster has expanded its food truck to a physical location at 1932 Almaville Road in Smyrna. Co-owner Craig Betts said the biggest difference between the truck and the restaurant is the menu.
“There will be things we can do now that we didn’t have room to do on the food trucks,” he said. Some of those new items are whole-belly clams, a lobster BLT and a haddock fish sandwich.
Never fear, the lobster truck will continue to prowl the streets looking for hungry lobster lovers.
If you’re craving Vietnam’s national soup, Pho Express has opened on Old Fort Parkway. Located in the strip mall space formerly occupied by Chex and Touchdown Wings, Pho Express has also partnered with blueraiderfood.com to deliver hot soup to your door.
As reported last month, McAlister’s Deli has purchased the building that formerly housed Peter D’s American Southern Bistro on Medical Center Parkway. The deli, which has operated a Memorial Boulevard location since 1999, should open in late fall, Southern Rock Restaurants CEO David Blackburn said.
BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse has finally announced an opening date. Kind of. Bryan Beach, COO of BoomBozz, recently said that eager pizza eaters can mark their calendars for a mid-June opening. The Louisville, Kentucky-based chain specializes in gourmet pizzas with premium ingredients, local and craft beers, and TVs, lots and lots of TVs.
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Closings Corner
We have a few businesses to mourn.
First, Let’s Make Wine has officially closed its doors as owners Cheryl and Jack Lisi look to retirement.
Second, Reed and Embry didn’t exactly close, though the business recently moved to another town. Jason Reed and Mike Embry, who created Reed and Embry in 2014, packed up and moved their goods to Franklin.
This means two spots have opened on the Square for potential entrepreneurs.
Bob’s BBQ closed its Murfreesboro location in the old Kirkenburt’s spot on Cason Lane; Bob’s still has its Smyrna store.
Two chains bit the dust locally in the past month, too.
TGI Friday’s closed its store by Stones River Mall, as did Which Wich in The Avenue. The closing of TGI Friday’s leaves only the Madison and Opry Mills locations in Middle Tennessee. The Franklin store closed in November 2017.
