The Tasty Table recently announced that it has plans to open at the Reeves-Sain Pharmacy under the name of The Soda Shoppe by Tasty Table. The previous location on North Church Street will serve as a private event space and kitchen for catering, but will not continue operating as a restaurant.
The Soda Shoppe by Tasty Table will offer desserts and shakes at Reeves-Sain, 1801 Memorial Blvd. For more information or to get a catering quote, call 615-482-0543 or visit tastytable.net.
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Dunkin’ recently celebrated the opening of its newest Next Generation restaurant at 5619 Franklin Rd. The grand opening festivities included the company making a $2,000 donation to The Journey Home, which provides assistance in rehousing those in need and providing basic needs for families and children.
The new 2,000-square-foot restaurant provides space for up to 14 guests and will employ 30 workers. Hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. The new restaurant design features a drive-thru, a front-facing bakery, new espresso machines, and a new tap system to provide consistently cold drinks including iced coffee, tea, cold brew and nitro-infused cold brew.
The Next Gen Dunkin’ locations are built with sustainable and efficient elements including LED lighting, high-efficiency mechanical equipment and low-flow faucets. On average, they are about 33% more energy efficient compared to conventional Dunkin’ restaurants. For more information, visit dunkindonuts.com.
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In-N-Out Burger plans to open its first Tennessee location in Franklin in 2026.
Governor Bill Lee, TNECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and In-N-Out Burger officials recently announced the company’s plans to invest $125.5 million to establish the eastern territory office in Franklin, which represents its first expansion east of Texas. The project is expected to begin just off I-65 in Franklin around the end of 2024, and be complete by 2026. The building will be 100,000 square feet, and will provide at least 277 new jobs in Williamson County.
“I’m proud to welcome In-N-Out Burger, an iconic American brand, to the Volunteer State. Tennessee’s unmatched business climate, skilled workforce and central location make our state the ideal place for this family-run company to establish its first eastern United States hub. We thank In-N-Out for planting roots in Williamson County and creating new jobs for Tennesseans,” Lee said.
In addition to the eastern territory office, In-N-Out plans to open restaurants in the region, beginning with locations in and around Nashville. In-N-Out currently has 385 locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Utah.
“I have no doubt that my grandparents, dad and uncle would be proud of this decision to grow our associate family and serve even more customers beginning in Nashville and the surrounding areas. This expansion is significant for our company. For many years, we’ve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations near them, further east than we’ve ever been,” said In-N-Out owner and president Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, the only grandchild of Harry and Esther Snyder, who founded In-N-Out in 1948.
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The Classy Cactus recently released its options for Murfreesboro’s first known succulent bar, which provides a fun and unique option for parties. Those interested can get together at the greenhouse, located at 1527 Rutledge Way behind the Tennessee Tool Works building, to create an arrangement of succulents. For parties larger than 10, a succulent bar can be brought to your home or event venue. Small succulent arrangements of four to six plants cost $40 per person, while large arrangements for seven to 10 plants cost $55 per person. Succulent soil, containers, decorative elements and plant signs are included.
Classy Cactus is currently open Wednesday through Saturday, although hours may vary depending on booked events for the day. For more information, visit classycactusfarm.com or call 615-637-7035.
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Lindsay Schultz has opened a new and used indie bookstore called The Spine in the Trellis and Vine building at 27 S. Lowry St. in Smyrna. The bookstore is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and dedicates Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. to its children’s reading time, which takes place every week.
The location also hosts book clubs, author of the month events, author spotlights, reading challenges and various workshops. For more information, visit facebook.com/thespinebookshop.
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Taste of Thai on South Church Street recently changed ownership due to the retirement of the founders after 14 years in business. According to a social media post, the new business owners plan to keep the restaurant the same in every aspect including name, menu items and usual business hours from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sunday. For more information, visit facebook.com/tasteofthaimurfreesboro.
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Main Street Murfreesboro recently awarded $10,000 in property enhancement grants to two downtown business owners ($5,000 apiece)—Keith and Shannon Beckman of Beckman’s Prescription Shop, and Rhonda Hingst, Kim Reynolds and the late Pat Patterson of Veda’s Flowers and Gifts.
In 2021, Main Street’s Board of Directors voted to approve funding for 2022 that would benefit improvements made to historical buildings in the downtown district.
“The grant application process focused on how the improvements being proposed would have a significant impact on the Main Street district, engage the public with the streetscape, thus improving the pedestrian experience within the downtown and adding value to the historic landscape,” said Main Street Executive Director Sarah Callender.
With the funds, the Beckmans improved their business’ front steps and upgraded its handicapped-accessible ramp. Also upgraded was Beckman’s trademark mortar and pestle sign with new materials and logo, while maintaining its nostalgic design.
Veda’s improvement project included exposing previously covered windows and replacing them with commercial-grade glass.
Main Street Murfreesboro plans to hold a second round of property enhancement grant applications later this year for downtown businesses.
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Privately owned Australian defense company NIOA recently purchased Murfreesboro-based Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. This serves as a benefit to NIOA as it now has widened access to the American market. Management and staff at Barrett’s Murfreesboro manufacturing facility will continue production as usual.
The sale “marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Barrett story,” said Murfreesboro entrepreneur Ronnie Barrett. He said that NIOA team “has great respect for the legacy Barrett has created as the leader in long-range precision rifles. It’s reassuring to know Barrett will be in good hands with a family-owned company that is focused on manufacturing and delivering world-class firearms and munitions to a global network.”
Barrett will exist as a separate division under the NIOA Group, along with NIOA Australia, NIOA New Zealand, the Australian Missile Corporation and the group’s investment in Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions. Barrett President Sam Shallenberger was promoted to chief executive officer, while Barrett Chief Operating Officer Bryan James was promoted to president as part of the acquisition.
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Middle Tennessee State University recently broke ground for its three-story, 85,000-square-foot Student Athlete Performance Center, which will provide all MTSU students with new facilities for weight training, nutrition and sports medicine. It will also provide a new home for Blue Raider football operations.
The $66-million performance center will be located near the north end zone of Floyd Stadium, and is expected to be complete before the start of the 2024 Blue Raider football season.
[Pictured: This conceptual rendering shows a Floyd Stadium view of the new Student-Athlete Performance Center that broke ground Thursday, Jan. 26, outside the stadium at Middle Tennessee State University. The center will serve as the new home of Blue Raider Football. Photo courtesy of MTSU Athletics.]
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The new Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Westlawn hospital is expected to open in March of this year, and will provide 24/7 emergency care, lab testing and imaging services to the Rutherford County area as well as surrounding areas. The new building will be located on Veterans Parkway just off I-840.
Some of the care offered at Westlawn will include treatment for bites and stings, chest pain, confusion and difficulty speaking, fatigue and fainting, head injury and other trauma, seizures, open fractures, severe bleeding, shortness of breath, sprains and broken bones, sudden numbness and weakness, sudden stomach pain and more. Westlawn will also offer lab testing and imaging services.
Doctors and care teams will be available at all times and if more advanced care is deemed necessary, quick transfer to the Ascension Saint Thomas hospital will be available.
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El Patron Taqueria recently opened at 1112 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The new Mexican restaurant is located in the old Pizza Hut building just in front of Bargain Hunt. Some of the menu options include nacho con fajitas, birria tacos, margaritas, piña coladas, fresh avocado dip, fried whole tilapia and more. For more information, call 615-624-8225.
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CLOSINGS:
Camino Real off Cason Lane recently closed for renovations, but the restaurant does plan to reopen soon.
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Shortly after opening its second location on Broad Street, Clay Pit Indian Cuisine announced that it will close its original restaurant on Memorial Boulevard.
Clay Pit will continue using the Memorial Boulevard location as a kitchen for catering orders, but directs all dine-in business and individual pick-up orders to 1312 NW Broad St., which will open seven days a week, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. with the buffet running until 3 p.m. each day.
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Sweet CeCe’s at The Avenue recently closed its doors after around a decade at the location. The self-serve frozen yogurt location announced that it had lost its lease and would consider Jan. 12 its last day in business. Some customers suggested on a Facebook post that the reason for the sudden closure is related to neighboring Bar Louie’s plans to expand.
A few local enthusiasts recommended the frozen yogurt setup at area RaceTrac locations, which offers similar cup and topping options.
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After just a couple months in business, Southern Cravings on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard has closed and the space is available for lease. Restaurant owner Teresa Waters announced that she plans to offer her Southern soul food at MTSU and may continue catering around the Nashville area. Those who experienced her cooking suggested that the location just isn’t good for restaurants, and that Waters may have better luck at another location.
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Ridenour Rehearsal Studios, the concert, rehearsal and event space at 1203 Park Ave., has closed permanently, according to business owner Keith Ridenour.
