The Original Rainbow Cone ice cream shop has announced it will open a Murfreesboro location at 2724 Roby Corlew Ln., within the new Clari Park area. The building will feature a dual-restaurant space, connecting the ice cream shop and Buona Beef’s new local restaurant.
In 2018, Buona acquired the Rainbow Cone brand in a merger that brought both restaurants together, and provided Buona with the ability to open both dual and standalone restaurants across the states.
The Rainbow Cone will offer ice cream cones, hand-spun shakes, mini donuts, sundaes, banana splits, ice cream pints and quarts, ice cream cookie sandwiches, made-to-order cakes and cake slices, root beer floats and more, as well as catering and merch.
When the first Rainbow Cone opened in 1926, the signature cone featured five delicious flavors—chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla, cherry and walnut), pistachio and orange sherbet—all sliced and placed atop one another in one cone.
The grand opening for both Buona and Rainbow Cone is set for Sept. 16. As part of the grand opening festivities, the first 1,500 guests will each receive a sealed mystery prize envelope with a guaranteed special offer inside; 100 of those mystery envelopes will contain a prize for guests to redeem free beef sandwiches for a year. Visit rainbowcone.com for more information.
___
City Barbeque has announced plans to build a 2,972-square-foot restaurant along North Thompson Lane and the corner of Armory Drive, near the recently announced Bubba’s 33.
City Barbeque currently operates out of several states ranging from Florida to Wisconsin, serving pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, wings, smokehouse tacos, smoked sausages, turkey and house-made sides including baked beans with brisket, corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, salads and more. This will be the chain’s first location in Tennessee.
The new restaurant’s design will include a designated area for smoking meats.
Visit citybbq.com for more information.
___
M.L.Rose, which previously announced plans to open a restaurant in Murfreesboro near the Costco a few years ago, and shortly after canceled those very same plans, has announced this summer that it will open a Murfreesboro location at 2108 Medical Center Pkwy. in the former Cajun Steamer space.
This new location will mark the Middle Tennessee chain’s eighth neighborhood location. M.L.Rose is known for its seasonal craft beer menu, creative burgers and fresh pub fare.
“Murfreesboro has been a priority location for us for years,” said restaurant founder Austin Ray. “It’s a community I have personal connection to and fond memories of, and we receive requests frequently from guests about expansion there. Many will remember we had a different location planned for Murfreesboro that didn’t work out. We didn’t give up on finding the best home for M.L.Rose, and this new location is ideal for us. We look forward to making connections with our new neighbors in Murfreesboro.”
M.L.Rose opened locations in Franklin and Gallatin in 2024, and in Inglewood earlier this year. The brand expects its Murfreesboro location to open by the end of 2025.
The menu offers an array of shareable snacks and crispy, beer-braised wings, fresh salads and sandwiches, classic and creative craft burgers, and M.L.Rose’s signature crispy waffle fries.
“It took us about 13 years to grow from one location to four, and doubling that to eight locations in two years is exhilarating and a welcome challenge,” Ray said. “We’ve found that communities surrounding Nashville are hungry for a spot that’s comfortable and neighborhood oriented. It’s given us an excellent opportunity to review our offerings and let people have the M.L.Rose experience that works for them. One big change for us this summer is an updated beverage menu that adds an expanded array of non-beer offerings for guests, including cocktails, non-alcoholic offerings, seltzers and functional beverages. Don’t get me wrong—our commitment to craft beer is unwavering and our beer council continues to meet quarterly to seek out the best craft beer in the world. But we know that our guests want variety, and we’re excited to expand these offerings.”
With 36 taps, the craft beer menu changes seasonally and features an array of carefully selected local and national craft beers.
M.L.Rose’s Murfreesboro location will undergo minor updates to transform the existing building into the brand’s artistic pop culture design. Find more at mlrose.com.
___
Casa Tio’s will open at 4433 Veterans Pkwy. The restaurant will offer a variety of delicious Mexican dishes—from sizzling fajitas to fresh tacos and margaritas.
The restaurant will offer a lunch menu featuring daily specials from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other menu options will include quesadillas, seafood meals, a variety of beverages, soup and salad options, enchiladas, nachos and a dessert menu with flan, Mexican fried cheesecake, churros and tres leches. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit casatios.com for more information.
___
Aloha Express Hawaiian BBQ will open soon at 2705 Old Fort Pkwy. (the former home of Fu Sing) offering a variety of authentic Hawaiian food options. Find more on Aloha Express on Facebook.
___
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill will open a restaurant in Clari Park—on Medical Center Parkway in between the Whataburger and the building housing Cava and Carhartt—complete with a drive-thru, serving island-inspired plate meals. Hawaiian Bros currently operates more than 70 locations, with another Tennessee store in the works in Hixon.
___
Jaggers, owned by Texas Roadhouse, which also owns and operates the recently announced Bubba’s 33, will open a new location in Clari Park.
It features a variety of made-to-order burgers and chicken sandwiches, shakes, salads and more. Hours and opening dates have not been announced.
The company notes that it uses fresh ingredients and prepares everything from scratch, including its sauces and dressings.
Visit eatjaggers.com for more information.
___
Demos’ Restaurant will head to the MTSU campus for the 2025–26 school year. Demos’ will open a new location on the first floor of the MTSU Student Union building.
Join the Demos family alongside MTSU’s mascot, Lightning, and the Blue Raider Spirit Squad for a grand opening celebration on Monday, Aug. 25, at 9:30 a.m. The first 100 customers will be gifted swag bags filled with merchandise and coupons. One lucky swag bag will contain a “golden ticket” which grants the winner one free meal daily at the new location for the entire Fall Semester.
The Demos family’s experience in the restaurant industry dates to the 1940s. Peter and Kristin Demos are both MTSU alumni who have operated the original Demos location on NW Broad Street in Murfreesboro for more than 35 years. Their oldest son, Jamey, will head up the new campus location.
___
Cotti Coffee will open a Murfreesboro coffee shop on East Main Street in the same building as Ms. Marian’s Cafe. Cotti Coffee is dedicated to providing ethically sourced 100% Arabica beans from regions including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Yunnan, China. It also offers pastries, various other beverages, instant coffee and merchandise.
The coffee brand currently operates over 14,000 locations across 28 countries.
___
Get Hooked Boro has officially opened at 115 E. Vine St. beside Bart’s Kitchen and Bakery. Get Hooked specializes in meal replacement shakes, energy teas and protein coffees.
Popular menu items include the Peanut Butter Cookie shake, Salted Caramel Pretzels shake, Banana Cream Pie shake and the S’more shake. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 615-278-1322 for more details or to place an order.
___
Miss Polly’s Tea Room has opened at 218 Valley Ct., Smyrna, within the Sanders’ House, a Victorian-era home just off Old Nashville Highway.
The collaborative dream of Jana Taylor and Chelsea Hyland, Miss Polly’s serves afternoon tea with a Southern flair, by reservation. These teas consist of a selection of sandwiches and tarts, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a variety of pastries and cakes, arranged on a tiered stand and served alongside a pot, or two, of tea, as well as cold beverages.
The venue can also host specialty events, birthday parties, showers and weddings.
Miss Polly’s currently offers afternoon tea times at 1 and 3 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
To book a time or to learn more, visit misspollystearoom.com.
___
A new Asian fusion restaurant, U&I Restaurant & Bar, is now open at 2069 Lascassas Pk. in the former Casa Blanca Mexican location. U&I offers a Korean-American fusion experience with bold Korean flavors and American comfort, “where tapas meet tradition and culture meets cocktail.” The menu features shareable plates and the bar features handcrafted cocktails and Korean-inspired beverages.
___
Subculture Cafe in Smyrna has closed. Recently, the restaurant’s owner announced on Facebook that he would be out of town for a much-needed vacation, while also suggesting that the menu would undergo changes to include a wider variety of meal options when he returned. However, local fans of the restaurant have now found Subculture entirely gone, replaced in the space by Maíz Soul by Tía Yaya.
According to visitors, the menu is now completely in Spanish. Tía Yaya also operates a food truck out of La Vergne.
The new restaurant is described as a Latin kitchen and brunch spot that offers a variety of Venezuelan-Latin dishes with a modern twist.
___
The Rustic Rebel has opened at 301 N. Spring St., blending rustic style and rebellious spirit to provide bold, chic and inclusive collections for men and women alike.
“We believe fashion should be fearless, fun and unapologetically authentic,” said owner Kayla Clackum. In addition, she owns two locations of the boutique in Georgia.
Find jeans, dresses, jewelry, cowboy boots, dog items, air fresheners, candles, hats and more. Whether you’re discovering your next favorite outfit or joining the store for a local event, the Rustic Rebel invites the community to be part of something real, raw and refreshingly different. Sizes range from small to 4XL to include all types of people. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Visit therusticrebelboro.com for more information.
___
MTSU graduate Jaedyn Heil has opened a vocal studio in Murfreesboro offering both in-person and virtual lessons. Jaedyn Heil Studio helps singers ages 8 and older find confidence in their voices.
“At Jaedyn Heil Studio, I focus on classical, musical theater, and pop repertoire, helping students prepare for auditions, performances or simply discover the joy of singing in a supportive, encouraging environment,” Heil said.
Visit jaedynheil.com/vocal-studio for more information and to book a lesson time.
___
Lost Worlds Seatopia, located at 1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd., recently posted via Facebook that final inspections have been completed and the business will celebrate its grand opening Aug. 4.
The indoor playground features five party areas and a themed cafe, as well as several themed attractions including ball pits, multiple slides, trampolines, swings, mazes and more.
In addition, it offers merchandise, a photo spot, decorated restrooms, an obstacle course and a small bike racing track, giant bowling, basketball and Velcro throwing axes.
Find Lost Worlds Seatopia on Facebook page for more information.
___
Welsh Dentistry celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art facility on July 10. It is located at 349 S. Main St., Eagleville.
Eight years after starting his dental practice in Eagleville, Dr. Jesse Welsh said he realized he and his staff needed a little more space to serve their growing patient population.
The team at Welsh Dentistry performs all facets of dentistry, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures, wisdom tooth removal, implants and even offering IV sedation.
For more information, call 615-274-2525 or visit welshfamilydentistry.com.
___
Delicias Markets has opened at 810 NW Broad St. within Jackson Heights, proudly showcasing the best of Latin America. Offering a full array of culinary products, Delicias Markets features a butcher shop, fresh breads, tortillas and pastries; a taqueria with a dine-in area, and fresh produce. It also offers international money transfer and catering services.
Hours are Monday thru Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
___
R&R Boutique recently celebrated its grand opening at 1527 E. Main St. beside Far East Cafe. The new boutique sells clothing, jewelry and shoes, and also operates a salon offering top-notch hair and skin care. Find R&R Boutique on Facebook for details and booking.
___
An Avid Hotel is under construction at Warrior Drive and New Salem Highway.
___
Wild Birds Unlimited at The Avenue (2615 Medical Center Pkwy., Suite 1060) will celebrate its three-year anniversary Aug. 15–17. Stop by on Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Fun promotions, prize drawings, refreshments, giveaways and product demonstrations make this celebration very suitable for the entire family.
Local experts will also provide information about backyard bird feeding, helping people bring the joy of nature into their yards.
Wild Birds Unlimited is a nature specialty store catering to backyard bird enthusiasts and carries a variety of seed blends specially formulated to attract birds in this region. The Murfreesboro location carries bird feeders, bird houses, bird baths, and nature and garden gifts.
For more information, visit wbu.com/murfreesboro.
___
Recycle Right Tennessee has launched its new website, recyclerighttn.com, designed to make it easier for residents to access up-to-date recycling information, learn best practices, and locate nearby drop-off locations.
“At Recycle Right, we are on a mission to transform the way Tennessee thinks about waste disposal. Real change starts with awareness of the importance of recycling—and grows through action. That’s why we provide easy access to resources that help individuals recycle, something from which we all benefit,” said program director Donna Barrett.
The directory will be continually updated, with each recycle location being reviewed to ensure that the items collected are indeed recycled, not landfilled.
The new website serves as a one-stop resource for recycling locations provided by local businesses throughout the community; County Convenience Center locations, hours, and materials accepted; printable guides and other recycling resources.
The launch is part of the Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board’s directive to improve recycling rates and decrease the amount of waste going into landfills across Tennessee. Barrett, who also serves as the board’s chairman, pointed out that the website currently provides information for residents of Rutherford, Cannon, Coffee and Warren counties.
___
CLOSINGS
Spooky’s Pizza & Grill has closed after nearly 10 years in business after some issues regarding lack of legal restaurant-operating permits.
“In August 2024, the Tennessee Department of Health began threatening to shut the restaurant down over a ‘food establishment permit’ that expired on June 30, 2024. Six months earlier, I’d restructured the business as a lawful Private Membership Association and was, according to the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court, no longer obligated to ask permission or purchase a permit from the State to conduct business,” restaurant owner Joe Peters stated regarding his decision to close the restaurant. “Charging money for a license or permit to engage in protected activity (e.g., speech, religion, trade) is unlawful taxation of a right. A right cannot be lawfully transformed into a privilege and then taxed, licensed, or regulated out of existence.”
As a result, Peters was arrested not long after. He maintains that his inherent rights as an American are not negotiable, licensed or taxable and vows to defend them at all costs. He says he will continue to fight the system and the closure should not be viewed as a failure.
Many locals have suggested that he should consider opening a new location in the future, though a Domino’s Pizza location will be moving into the Walter Hill space formerly home to Spooky’s.
___
Thai Pattaya recently closed its restaurant at 810 NW Broad St. after 15 years serving Murfreesboro and surrounding areas. The restaurant has already sold the majority of its stock and supplies via its Facebook page.
Scoopy’s, next to Thai Pattaya in Jackson Heights, has also closed. Numerous other businesses in the complex are expected to vacate to make room for the new Auto Zone planned for Jackson Heights.
___
The Phone Exchange has closed its Murfreesboro location at 2955 S. Rutherford Blvd. However, its Knoxville and Chattanooga stores remain open.
___
The Arby’s on Northwest Broad Street has closed. Arby’s still operates two Murfreesboro restaurants, on Memorial Boulevard and Chaffin Place.
___
Kirkland’s, the popular home decor and furniture store, is closing its storefront at 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. at The Avenue. Signs in the windows indicate that clearance sales are underway and that Bed Bath & Beyond Home is “coming soon” to the space.
Kirkland’s Home announced a rebranding of the company in June 2025, with plans to change its corporate name from Kirkland’s to The Brand House Collective, Inc., pending shareholder approval.
“We plan to accelerate the launch of Bed Bath & Beyond Home stores through full-market conversions of existing Kirkland’s Home stores,” the announcement stated. “We will also co-brand the Kirkland’s Home website with Bed Bath & Beyond Home, creating a unified online experience as store conversions begin.”
