Domenico’s Italian Deli opened Jan. 27 in downtown Murfreesboro. Owner Jeff Murphy’s mother, Ann Murphy, even took time off from the Domenico’s original location to see the grand opening.

The deli was started 50 years ago in Alameda, California, by Jeff’s grandparents. When his grandparents retired in 1989, his parents took over and when it was his turn, he and his wife, Murfreesboro native Scarlett Lanning Murphy, decided to locate the old-style deli at 106 S. Maple Street.

Ann Murphy mother of Domenico’s Italian Deli owner Jeff Murphy serves samples.

The deli will serve cheese, cured Italian meats like prosciutto and salami, desserts and more.

Murphy met his wife, daughter of Mike and Gina Lanning (see more on them later) when he attended MTSU on a football scholarship.
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Turns out the old O’Charley’s on Memorial won’t be an apartment complex. It will be the other thing Murfreesboroans love: a Mexican restaurant.

El Toro Mexican is slated to open in February. Co-owner Adan Deleon opened El Toro Loco in Hermitage last year and wants to bring his “authentic Mexican” to the Boro.
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Food truck Big Bobby’s BBQ has its eyes set on a brick-and-mortar shop. The truck will park permanently at 2805 Old Fort Parkway, the former location of Blue Cactus, and operators will open a restaurant inside. Big Bobby’s was previously parked at 1505 Memorial Boulevard.
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Grandy’s, the fried chicken version of Captain D’s (its parent company), will open a restaurant on South Church Street in the same strip mall as Koji Express’s newest location.
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Yet another Dunkin’ Donuts opened, its latest store at 3250 Memorial Blvd., Ste. A.
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Black’s Apothecary opened in early January near Climb Murfreesboro. Owned and operated by former Reeves-Sain pharmacist Taylor Black, the family pharmacy puts an emphasis on excellent customer service, compassionate personal care and efficient transactions.

Black said he tried a chain pharmacy after Reeve-Sain Drug Store closed, but after working for 15 years in an independent shop, he felt the calling to hang his own shingle.

In addition to pharmaceutical remedies, Black’s offers a range of wellness products, like Herb+Leaf from Mt. Juliet; a variety of CBD oils, gummies, creams and more; and other herbal remedies.

It looks like they may be stocking a gift shop also, but you should stop in yourself at 1636 Memorial Boulevard in Murfreesboro, to confirm. Learn more at blacksapothecary.com.
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Another CBD store has opened, cleverly called “The Farmacy.” It’s located near Puckett’s Grocery on North Church Street.
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Dollar Tree has renovated and reopened the former Rite Aid on Memorial Boulevard (across from SportsCom).
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Steered Straight, a nonprofit organization that leads seminars for youth on making positive choices, has opened a thrift store at 610 W. College St., Suite 125.
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LIVFIT, a new functional fitness workout facility, is now open on Jessica Street, just off of Middle Tennessee Boulevard. The gym focuses on strength, balance, coordination, range of motion and mobility training, and owner, Coach Mic Santo, says he wants individuals from all walks of life to feel comfortable at the gym and to come train together to LIVFIT.
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Habibi Hookah opened in December in the strip mall near the Middle Tennessee Boulevard Kroger. It looks like a sports hookah bar where you can smoke tobacco and watch mixed martial arts and other events on the many TVs.
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Modern Acupuncture opened near Poke Fun at the corner of Medical Center Parkway and Thompson Lane. The spa-like wellness practice also has a location in Brentwood.
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Morning Brew Coffee Shop, a Murfreesboro small business located 405 N. Front Street, is trying to raise capital on platform called MainVest.

Community investors can make a financial investment of at least $100. Initial investors will receive a portion of Morning Brew’s gross revenue until they receive the amount invested plus 75%, paid by the year 2026, according to MainVest.

Morning Brew, owned by MTSU women’s tennis coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall, is seeking investment for interior renovation, marketing and equipment items. Find more at mainvest.com/businesses/morning-brew.
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CLOSING CORNER

Rick’s Barbecue has closed its Memorial Blvd. location permanently. The Lannings experienced “recent family events” that prompted the closure on Jan. 24. The closure is related to Mike Lanning’s recent heart attack. Lanning decided to reduce his stress levels and sell the location.

The Warrior Drive location will remain open.

“The Lanning family would like to thank you for your patronage and support over the past 14 years. It has been an honor and pleasure serving this community and we hope that you continue to visit us at the Warrior Drive location,” the sign said, adding they will continue to offer catering.
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Another long-time eatery shuttered last month. Your Burger, which opened ahead of the local eating craze, is now closed.
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Gold’s Gym closed its downtown Murfreesboro location. It sat on Church Street, across from the old Murfreesboro Police Department headquarters. Many officers used to work out there, but now they have a state-of-the-art gym at the new HQ on Highland Avenue.
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While they may not yet be closed, two regional chains have filed for bankruptcy:

In mid-January, Krystal filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy even after closing dozens of restaurants. In the filing, the Georgia-based, Chattanooga-born square slider chain blamed rising labor costs and shifting consumer tastes as the reason behind its financial woes. No word yet on whether its Rutherford County locations will get 86-ed.

A few days later, Bar Louie filed for Chapter 11 protection. The gastro-pub has more than 90 locations nationwide, including three in Nashville and Murfreesboro. In its bankruptcy announcement, it said one-third of its locations, mostly in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Colorado, will be closed as part of its restructuring.
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