Maru Sushi and Grill, which currently has locations in East and West Nashville, has plans to open a Murfreesboro location at 3921 Franklin Rd. in the same building as Big Pig’s Wine and Spirits and TN Craft Butcher.

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Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries, located at 5131 Franklin Rd., has announced that it is currently hiring for various positions. Hwy 55 features cheeseburgers, cheesesteaks, frozen custard, chicken platters, made-to-order salads and hand-squeezed lemonade.

A handful of Middle Tennessee Hwy 55 locations currently operate in Gallatin, Lewisburg, Nolensville, Spring Hill, Shelbyville and Tullahoma. To apply for general manager, leadership, team member or server positions, visit synchr-recruit.net. For additional information, visit hwy55.com.

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Five on Black Kitchen and Spirit House will soon open at 215 N. Church St.

The new addition to Murfreesboro’s culinary landscape—part of the local family of restaurants that includes Five Senses and Steakhouse Five—says it will be downtown Murfreesboro’s new home for tomahawk ribeye. The new concept will also have a pet-friendly outdoor patio.

Five on Black is on the lookout for talented individuals with a passion for food to join its team.

For updates, visit fiveonblacktn.com.

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Zio JohnB’s NY Pizza recently opened a pop-up location in the Walter Hill area.

Operating out of Macca Villa at Riverside, 1218 W. Jefferson Pk., the pizzeria will offer curbside pickup and delivery services only.

For more information, hours of operation and to place an order, visit ziojohnbsnypizza.com.

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MyEyeDr., a leading provider of eye health services with over 840 locations across the United States, opened its first Murfreesboro location in July. MyEyeDr. offers comprehensive eye exams and a full suite of eyewear solutions. This latest opening marks the brand’s 22nd location in Tennessee.

The new Murfreesboro office, located at 2634 Medical Center Pkwy., is led by licensed optometrist Dr. Monique Emmons. Dr. Emmons and her team support patients along their eye health journeys with exams, state-of-the-art retinal imaging, and a satisfaction guarantee for all services and products. Patients benefit from a wide selection of value and designer eyeglasses and sunglasses as well as access to the latest contact lens technology. MyEyeDr. accepts all insurances, with in-house insurance experts who handle all of the processing and paperwork on behalf of patients. For more information, visit myeyedr.com.

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Carhartt—the workwear brand known for its durable and warm outdoor apparel—will open a Murfreesboro store between the new CAVA and MyEyeDr. in the Clari Park development on Medical Center Parkway.

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Farrell-Calhoun Paint opened its new Murfreesboro location at 1131 Brinkley Ave. earlier this year after moving from its former spot on Broad Street, now home to Heroes Den. The Memphis-based paint business has more than 40 locations across several states.

According to the company’s website, many of the paints they offer are made with a unique, cross-linking resin system that gives the coating superior performance, adhesion, durability, washability, color and gloss retention. For more information, visit farrellcalhoun.com.

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L&L Contractors, a leading roofing and siding company in Murfreesboro, recently celebrated the opening of its newly expanded showroom at 23 S. Public Sq.

“As a company and a team, we are proud to have built a legacy that will continue to protect the homes of our clients, families and friends for countless years to come,” said Vice President and CEO Russ Hensley. “L&L Contractors measures by the SQFT: Service, Quality, Family and Trust.”

Founded by Donald Lester in 2006, L&L Contractors is proudly family-owned and operated, and provides homeowners with expert advice to protect their most valuable home assets. For more information, visit landlcontractors.com.

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Jimmy Davis and Tammy Stump are working on opening Hemispheres Wine, a new wine bar, at 208 W. Main St. just off of the Square. For updates, visit facebook.com/hemisphereswinebar.

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More than 100 residents of Cedar Glen Mobile Home and RV Park in La Vergne recently assembled to form Unidos Por Nuestras Familias/United for Our Families—a group to voice their concerns and demand an immediate stop to what they call predatory charges and harassment, exploitation, mistreatment and unfair practices implemented by new management.

Although Cedar Glen residents own their trailers, they must pay rent on the land on which trailers are parked. Following the arrival of new management at Cedar Glen, its residents, predominantly Latinx and construction laborers, have reported significant rent increases, a new utility payment system resulting in inflated bills, and stringent restrictions on pet and vehicle ownership. One of the new policies indicates that only one car can be parked for each household. This restriction hit the community particularly hard. Management had planned to enforce these restrictions by towing extra cars, imposing a $60 fee per vehicle. This policy disproportionately affects construction workers who require separate vehicles for work and to store construction equipment and for family use.

A petition has been started among the residents. For more information, visit facebook.com/poderpopularnashville.

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Cedar Glade Brews announced in early July that Jerremy Weaver, one of the brewery’s founders, suffered serious burns during an accident at his home.

“He is progressing and everyone is hopeful for a complete recovery,” according to brewery co-owner Jonathan Harmon. “In the meantime, please come in and write some well wishes in a book we have at the bar.” For more information and updates, visit facebook.com/cedargladebrews.

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Speedway Motors and American Motors, both formerly located at the corner of Church and Broad streets—just across from one other, one at 102 NW Broad St. and the other at 103 SE Broad St.—have both relocated due to the development coming to that area (Project Keystone and the Town Creek project). The car dealerships are now located at 1510 S. Church St.

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The indoor playground Kids Land opened in July at 2812 Old Fort Pkwy., Ste. E, next to Wasabi Japanese Steak House. Play admission is $15 for kids and $5 for adults.

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A new MaxMart, Amoco Gas Station has opened at 4923 NW Broad St., near Singer Road in the Florence community.

The locally-owned convenience store offers 12 fuel pumps, along with Broasters Chicken, Hunt Brothers Pizza, plate lunches and other hot food options on weekdays, as well as breakfast every morning.

The store is open from early morning (opening hours vary) until 10 p.m. daily.

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A Take Five convenience store will be coming to 2250 Memorial Blvd.

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Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation opened its new Skate Park and Pump Track at Old Fort Park on July 19.

“This project has been really unique for us because we have truly involved the community in the concept and design of this park,” said Executive Director of Recreation Services Nate Williams. “We know it will be a great addition to Old Fort Park and our entire parks system.”

The skate park is open to skateboards, scooters and bikes for free every day during daylight hours.

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Chris Sharpe, the owner of Pure Heart Tattoo, located at 1630 S. Church St., recently shared his story of redemption, faith and recovery to a full audience at the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center.

Sharpe said his substance abuse started at the age of 13. He spoke of his days playing football in high school, when he suffered an ACL injury that sidelined his dream of being a star athlete. To manage the pain he started using methamphetamine, which began Sharpe’s downhill spiral, which made getting into trouble like a revolving door.

Sharpe spent three years in a correctional facility for assaulting a police officer. While in this facility, Sharpe began utilizing the services available to reprogram his life. Sharpe, now free from substance abuse, serves as a successful tattoo artist and business owner of Pure Heart Tattoo. He is also a husband, father and mentor.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to come and speak and share my experience, strength and hope. 10 years ago, I was also in a correctional program that equipped me with people, volunteers and the tools needed to help my transition back into society. Transformation and restoration are possible for those individuals who are willing to try something new,” said Sharpe.

He said he believes that people help change people and, with guidance, anyone can change.

“Chris has faced obstacles at every stage of life and continually finds ways to overcome and be successful. I am so appreciative that he shared his testimony with all of us,” said RCCWC Superintendent William Cope. “His story is so inspiring that it challenges me to look at my own life and say, ‘OK, where are your moments, what are your achievements and how can you be better?’”

Pure Heart Tattoo recently celebrated its two-year anniversary. For more information, visit tattooshopmurfreesboro.com.

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Prohibition Home Brewing has announced that, after three years at its shop on Ridgley Road near Cedar Glade Brews, the brewery has found a larger location at Hop Springs Beer Park at 6790 John Bragg Hwy. and will move its homebrewing and winemaking supplies business there.

Events and winemaking classes started at the new location in mid-July. Prohibition also announced that its CigaRV will be making more local appearances.

Formerly held at Prohibition, the weekly C3 Networking meeting now meets at Achieve Entrepreneur and Coworking Center, 1630 S. Church St., at 8:30 a.m. each Friday.

For more information, visit facebook.com/prohibitionmurfreesboro.

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Plans have been unveiled for Bell Tower Apartments, coming to the large parcel of land at 2588 New Salem Hwy. between Walmart and Publix.

The gated, upscale facility will cater to seniors. The development will include 384 condominium and apartment units, as well as commercial facilities, on its 22 acres. Some units will serve assisted living and memory care residents.

The Bell Tower property will also include water features and some wetland areas.

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The City of Murfreesboro has elected not to move forward with the Notes Live project in the Gateway area due to Notes Live’s inability to meet the conditions set forth in its development agreement with the City. That agreement, which the parties executed in August 2022, called for Notes Live to construct an open-air amphitheater with seating for 4,500 patrons, a casual dining restaurant and an additional music and event venue.

“We had high expectations for this project, but unfortunately the project changed and those changes significantly altered what was agreed to in the development agreement,” said Mayor Shane McFarland. “The city is committed to finding the best project and use for this site. The City Council has already approved the infrastructure improvements to Medical Center Parkway and we look forward to those being completed.”

According to city officials, Notes Live will transfer the 20.13 acres located at Medical Center Parkway and Gateway Boulevard back to the City.

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Doodles Kitchen and Bakery has closed, but Andrea and Scott Calamusa have taken over the restaurant space and will continue operations as Bart’s Kitchen and Bakery. Andrea—the creative force behind the Joyfull Muffin Company—and Scott—known for his Cajun-inspired cuisine—say they intend to offer many of the favorite menu items from Doodles along with some of their own additions.

Bart’s Kitchen and Bakery is now open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, follow Bart’s Kitchen and Bakery on Facebook and Instagram.

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Southern Spoon recently announced that its brick-and-mortar restaurant would close, with plans to focus more on catering and food truck services. However, the business still operates out of the same kitchen at 1303 Plaza Dr. in Smyrna. For more information, visit southernspoontn.com.

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Stover’s Liquidation has closed its Murfreesboro location at 2349 S. Church St.; Stover’s still operates locations in Cookeville and Oak Ridge.