Main Event Murfreesboro has announced that it will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, Feb. 9, with a soft opening, VIP, and friends and family events scheduled for the days prior.
The first 200 people in line during the Feb. 9 grand opening will receive a free year of laser tag. The new game center is located at 1510 Greshampark Dr. behind the McDonald’s and Rooms to Go.
Main Event features 18 brand-new bowling lanes, with four additional lanes in a private suite, laser tag, a full-service restaurant and bar, a billiards area with four pool tables, a variety of arcade games including vintage and virtual reality—165 games total—gravity ropes and a meeting space. Its occupancy is 1,700 people. It also offers full-service catering with private party rooms, free Wi-Fi, big-screen televisions and availability for parties.
Dave & Buster’s acquired Main Event in an $835 million deal back in 2022. Dave & Buster’s now has more than 150 locations with an additional 50-plus operating under the Main Event brand.
The two concepts are similar in their food, drinks and games, but Dave & Buster’s traditionally caters to young adults while Main Event is more open to the family-friendly end of things and children’s birthday parties. For more information, visit mainevent.com.
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Murfreesboro officials have confirmed that the city will be getting a Trader Joe’s. The 2.4-acre lot behind McAlister’s Deli on Medical Center Parkway is the presumed location for the future Trader Joe’s. More information to come.
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Next Brands has announced that Beef-a-Roo will open a new location in Murfreesboro, making it Tennessee’s first location for the restaurant chain as the Midwestern favorite extends its reach into the South.
The Illinois-based Beef-a-Roo offers classic roast beef sandwiches, wraps, burgers, chicken and turkey sandwiches, soups, salads and fries.
“Beef-a-Roo is a 55-year-old quick-service restaurant brand dedicated to serving fresh handmade meals at an affordable price,” said Next Brands President Austin Capoferi. “The brand’s first Tennessee location in Murfreesboro is a testament to our commitment to bringing high-quality dining experiences to new markets across the country.”
The Beef-a-Roo location and opening date have not yet been announced. For more information, visit beefaroo.com.
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KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot has announced plans to open between Shoe Carnival and Bink’s at the Stones River Town Centre, which will be the restaurant’s fourth planned Tennessee location, in addition to Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.
Conceived by four friends from different backgrounds who blended their cuisines over a shared table, KPOT is a unique, all-you-can-eat experience that merges traditional Asian hot pot and Korean BBQ flavors with global spices and seasonings, a full bar and a nightlife atmosphere.
KPOT offers a variety of meat, seafood, vegetable, barbecue, noodle and soup options. For more information, visit thekpot.com.
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X-Golf will open a new golf simulator at the Stones River Town Centre beside the Paul Mitchell salon. The new golf simulator will offer a PuttView putting system and six new simulators as well as wine and beer, and golf clubs available for rent.
X-Golf has space for all ages and skill levels at its state-of-the-art indoor simulators, which operate through a combination of camera systems, infrared lasers, impact sensors and advanced gaming software. X-Golf also offers professional and personal training, leagues and events.
Ownership says they plan to have the facility open in early February. For more information, visit playxgolf.com.
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Amped Fitness has also announced that it will open a gym at the Stones River Town Centre. The gym will feature 24/7 availability, a women’s-only section, options for classes and personal training, HydroMassage, tanning beds, childcare with the kids club, virtual group classes, basketball and more. Visit ampedfitness.com for more information.
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Peach Cobbler Factory has announced that it will celebrate its grand opening under new ownership at the former Buttermilk Sky Pie location at 2314 Medical Center Pkwy. The grand opening will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, at noon.
The dessert brand currently operates six other Tennessee locations. Popular menu options include cobblers, cinnamon rolls, banana pudding, shakes, cookies, churros, peach tea, Belgian waffles and brownies. For more information, visit peachcobblerfactory.com.
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Grand Adventures: Comics and Games has relocated to 1013 Memorial Blvd., near the Smith Brothers Car Wash. The store continues to operate under a similar concept with a variety of comics, Magic, Digimon and Pokemon cards and items, Gundam figures, board games, RPG games, events and tournaments, a gaming room similar to the shop’s previous location and more. Hours are Monday and Wednesday from 12 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m., Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m., and Friday from 12 to 11 p.m.
Find additional parking in the back of the building. For more information, visit grandadventurescomics.com.
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Las Trojas Cantina has received building permits for a new restaurant location on the corner of Medical Center Parkway and Conference Center Boulevard. The restaurant currently has additional locations in Fayetteville, Tennessee, as well as seven in Alabama and one in Georgia.
Las Trojas offers a variety of authentic Mexican meals, ceviche, Pollo Feliz, and its well-loved Fiesta Plate Specialty, which includes grilled chicken, steak and shrimp served on a bed of rice with broccoli, onion and cheese dip. For further information, visit lastrojas.com.
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La Siesta’s Greenland Drive location has rebranded to Fiesta Grill, although the food will remain the same, according to management.
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Mi Patria Mexican Restaurant has announced plans to open a second Murfreesboro location, this one at the former Applebee’s building on South Rutherford Boulevard, just in front of Walmart. Mi Patria currently operates one other location just off Mall Circle Drive. For current information, visit facebook.com/mipatriaconsazonamexico.
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Soul restaurant and nightclub has opened a second location in the area in addition to its previous Nashville location, and has plans to open a third location in Antioch. The Murfreesboro restaurant is located at 2804 S. Rutherford Blvd. near Walmart where FKS Kitchen and Jay’s BBQ operated for brief stints.
Soul hosts live music and karaoke and serves a variety of soul food, seafood, wings, pizza, burgers and more. For further information, visit soulmurfreesboro.com.
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Wendy’s newest area restaurant, located at 3243 Memorial Blvd. (near Aldi), has opened. Regular hours are 6:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily for drive-thru, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for dine-in. Breakfast options are available until 10:30 a.m.
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Carpe Cafe, located at 115 Front St. in Smyrna, re-opened its doors to the public last fall after remaining closed for much of the year while renovating and re-envisioning operations. The cafe announced that it will partner with Sweet Addiction, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to employing women survivors of human trafficking, addiction, domestic violence and incarceration. The Sweet Addiction helps provide some of the cafe’s sweet treats, which include cookies, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls. The restaurant’s new hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit facebook.com/carpecafetn.
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Cultivate Coworking will remain open at 107 W. Lytle St., but under new ownership. The new team consists of Jason Ayers and Brandon Santander from Veterans Pressure Washing along with Rachelle Ayers, a local attorney. All are longtime Cultivate members.
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Lanes, Trains and Automobiles owner Jimmy Patrick has sold the business, marking the Patrick family’s exit from more than 50 years in the bowling business.
Lanes, Trains and Automobiles remains open under new ownership. Patrick will continue to operate his Murfreesboro Custom Tees apparel business at the same facility at 450 Butler Dr., but will no longer be responsible for bowling and restaurant operations there.
LTA will continue to offer its home-school and senior bowling leagues, as well as other usual events, and will likely make some changes to the kitchen over the coming months. For more information, visit ltadepot.com.
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Peddler Interiors and Gifts, currently located at Georgetown Square at 1756 W. Northfield Blvd., has unveiled plans to move to the former Ichiban and Moose Lodge location at 1831 NW Broad St. The shop offers a variety of home products including unique gifts, fine art, fabrics, wall coverings, jewelry, bedding, furniture and seasonal items.
Peddler Interiors was founded in Murfreesboro in 1972 by Mary Ann Richardson and Jane Jones, and has since been bought by Kathy and Alison Jones, who grew up shopping at the location. The new owners say they hope to continue to grow the business’ clientele and keep the Peddler open for another 50 years.
“Many of our clients are third-generation patrons, and we view them as extensions of our own families,” they said in a statement on the Peddler website.
Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit peddlerinteriors.com.
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Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has opened at 1636 New Salem Hwy., Ste. B, near Costco. The new Jiu-Jitsu location is one of three in the state, with the other two in Columbia and Spring Hill. It offers a variety of class options including kids programs, teens, women, adults and private classes.
“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that’s all about using space, angles and timing to win without throwing a punch. It’s like a real-life game of strategy, where you get a killer workout—both for your muscles and your brain. No matter your age or skill level, the moment you step on the mat, you’re in it, body and mind, ready to dive into the world of Jiu-Jitsu like a boss,” according to Renzo Gracie marketing.
For more information, visit renzogracietn.com.
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The Murfreesboro City Council gave approval in early December for a construction agreement with Moody Excavating, LLC to realign Butler Drive to Joe B. Jackson Parkway in an attempt to improve traffic in the area, where the Buc-ee’s chain plans to construct a large travel center.
The project realigns Butler Drive to the west and ties it into Joe B. Jackson Parkway approximately 600 feet west of the current intersection. The realignment includes a three-lane street with a curb and gutter section and sidewalk on each side, and should help minimize the intersection’s impact on the nearby interchange. The project is expected to start this fall and be completed by 2025.
“The realignment relocates the intersection away from the interchange ramps, reducing potential weave problems by motorists and allowing the intersection to be signalized,” said Public Infrastructure Executive Director Chris Griffith. “Once completed, the signalized intersection will provide better access to Joe B. Jackson.”
The old Butler Drive will remain in place to access existing properties but will no longer be a public connection to Joe B. Jackson Parkway.
As part of the overall project, Elam Road is also being realigned.
Excavating of the Buc-ee’s property began last fall to make way for the 76,245-square-foot convenience store and travel center along Joe B. Jackson and I-24. The Buc-ee’s will feature 120 fuel pumps, electric charging stations, and a walking trail.
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WaWa has announced plans for another Murfreesboro location in addition to the previously announced Veterans Parkway location. The 16-pump gas station and convenience store will be located on the 1.9-acre lot on South Rutherford Boulevard at Bradyville Pike. WaWa also offers a variety of coffee and hot food items. For more on WaWa, visit wawa.com.
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Progress at the former First United Methodist Church property near the Murfreesboro Public Square remains largely stagnant after nearly five years since One East College, LLC proposed plans to construct a 110-room hotel, 55 townhouses, and an office, restaurant and retail space at the site. According to WGNS, the city recently sent a notice of default to the developers to let them know that they are in violation of the agreement made with the city as no progress has been made on the plot of land. A notice of default is a statement sent by one contract party to another to notify them that the latter has failed to fulfill the terms of an agreement, and legal action may follow if the latter continues to default.
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Homewood Suites by Hilton has announced that it will construct a new, five-story hotel at 1412 Gateway Blvd., across from the SmartBank building along the Stones River. The hotel is considered an extended stay hotel, which offers long-term accommodation including amenities like self-serve laundry, in-suite kitchens, recreational facilities, pet-friendly rooms, conference rooms, Wi-Fi and cable, and more. The hotel also plans to offer access to the future expansion of the Murfreesboro Greenway.
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Five Daughters Bakery, which offers its signature, flaky, croissant-style, 100-layer doughnuts, cookies and other pastries out of its seven other locations in Nashville, Franklin and Atlanta, will soon open a Murfreesboro shop at Fountains at Gateway on Medical Center Parkway.
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Plans for a skate park planned for Old Fort Park continue to progress after Murfreesboro Councilmembers recently approved $888,000 for the park’s construction.
New Line Skateparks FL, Inc. will soon begin work on the project and expects the skate park to be complete in the fall of 2024.
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Rutherford County Schools plans to build a new elementary school in the Blackman community, on property formerly part of the Batey family farm.
The total estimated project cost for Batey Elementary School stands at $59.8 million.
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Einstein Bros. Bagels has opened inside the Bizee Mart located at 3127 Medical Center Pkwy. The new bagel shop offers a variety of gourmet bagels, signature breakfast sandwiches, shmears, dessert options, coffees and pizza bites. For more information, visit einsteinbros.com.
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Nashville Hot Tub and Swim Spas has opened a Murfreesboro location at 500 N. Thompson Ln., which was previously home to Sports Seasons. In addition to luxury hot tubs and swim spas, the store offers massage chairs and more. For more information, visit nashvillehottubsandswimspas.com.
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Party Fowl has recently declared bankruptcy. This follows the opening of three new locations in 2020. These newest locations in Chattanooga and Cool Springs, and Destin, Florida, have gained the least revenue of the Party Fowl locations over the past four years. The restaurant’s owners suggest that the timing of their expansion, in the midst of Covid, led to a snowball of debt, which has resulted in the decision to file a plan for reorganization.
The owners have asked bankruptcy court to “allow the businesses to pause addressing their non-critical but highly damaging financial obligations so that they can build sufficient cash flow to satisfy priority and administrative claims under a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.”
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CLOSED
Richard’s Kitchen has closed its Lytle Street restaurant, after approximately six months in operation.
