A dessert and ice cream concept appears to be heading to Murfreesboro; crews working on the former Party Fowl building at 127 SE Broad St. say the space will soon become a Melt n Dip.
Known for its upscale desserts, chocolate fondues, waffles, crepes and elaborate milkshakes, Melt n Dip locations have been expanding throughout the Eastern U.S. over recent years.
Patrons can select fruits, brownies, eclairs, marshmallows and other items, and dip them in various kinds of melted Belgian chocolate.
Menu highlights also include molten cakes, pistachio desserts, specialty coffee drinks, fruit bowls and more. For more information, visit meltndip.com.
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Cajun restaurant The Gumbo Bros has officially opened its first Rutherford County location at 1306 Westlawn Blvd., in the former Tijuana Flats space near the Publix shopping center just off Veterans Parkway. The Murfreesboro restaurant marks the first expansion for the Nashville-based concept outside of its original Gulch location.
Founded by Louisiana native Adam Lathan, The Gumbo Bros specializes in Cajun and Creole favorites including chicken and sausage gumbo, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, po’ boys, boudin balls, wings, cheesecake, alligator bites, and seafood dishes inspired by New Orleans cooking. The restaurant also features a full bar with hurricanes, frozen cocktails and Tennessee- and Louisiana-based craft beers. According to the Gumbo Bros website, the restaurant uses Leidenheimer French bread shipped directly from New Orleans for its po’ boys and sandwiches.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit thegumbobros.com.
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Drive-thru coffee chain The Human Bean will officially open its first Murfreesboro location on June 10 at 1803 Memorial Blvd.
The new location is locally owned and operated by Scott and Anita Findlay, who say they are excited to bring the company’s customer-focused approach and specialty coffee drinks to Rutherford County.
“The bean on top is a little thank-you for driving through, because The Human Bean believes in making even the smallest of exchanges memorable, kind, and sincere,” Scott Findlay said.
The Oregon-based chain specializes in espresso drinks, blended coffees, Bright Energy beverages, smoothies, teas and breakfast items. Signature menu items include the Snowy Mocha, Java Chip Granita and Bright Energy drinks made with caffeine sourced from green coffee beans. Customers also receive the company’s trademark chocolate-covered espresso bean with many drinks.
For more information, visit thehumanbean.com.
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Another Broken Egg Cafe, the Louisiana-based breakfast and brunch chain, is preparing to open a Murfreesboro location in the former Genghis Grill space near Barnes & Noble at The Avenue.
The restaurant serves New Orleans-inspired breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, including shrimp and grits, crab cake benedicts, bourbon pancakes, omelets and specialty cocktails. The brand has expanded rapidly throughout the Southeast in recent years with a focus on chef-driven brunch offerings and full bar service.
Founded in Louisiana in 1996, Another Broken Egg Cafe now operates dozens of locations nationwide and has become known for its weekend brunch atmosphere. For more information, visit anotherbrokeneggcafe.com.
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Honky-Tonkin ’Bout has opened at 1 N. Lowry St., Smyrna.
The saloon and steakhouse features “cold beer, live music, boots on the dance floor, steaks on the grill, the largest selection of whiskey behind the bar, a mechanical bull, neon lights . . . maybe a little trouble and zero regrets,” according to its social media.
Honky-Tonkin ’Bout will hold a grand opening celebration on Friday, June 5, featuring performances by Erica Rae at 4 p.m. and Righteous Revolver at 9 p.m.
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1811 Wood-Fired Oven is expected to soon open its permanent food truck location at Cedar Glade Brews, 906 Ridgely Rd., behind Chuy’s. The food truck will offer wood-fired pizzas featuring handcrafted dough, fresh ingredients, and a genuine wood-fired oven.
Other menu options will include street elote (corn) pies, barbecue pulled pork, and caprese sandwiches on a Neapolitan bread. Hiring will begin in July, according to the local company.
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Work continues on 99 Degrees Southeast Asian, located at 307 N. Thompson Ln. with signs hung at the restaurant space and menu photos uploaded to its Google page, including curry meals, pho dishes, and more.
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With its first Murfreesboro location now in operation, Tim Horton’s plans to open a second location in the former Arby’s building on Broad Street, near Champy’s Chicken.
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The Murfreesboro City Council has approved a purchase and sale agreement for 8.62 acres of city‑owned land along Medical Center Parkway for the development of a large event venue and restaurant. Hackberry 5 Properties, operated by Shawn and Christy Hackinson of The Alley on Main and One of Nineteen Cocktails, is the developer for this project.
The property is part of a larger 20.12‑acre tract of unimproved land, and was previously considered for development for the Notes Live amphitheater. The Hackinson’s proposal for the space will include multiple buildings.
A restaurant will serve wood-fired pizzas in addition to some of the pastas, steaks and other offerings found at The Alley, they say.
One of the wedding venues will be large enough for 500 guests, according to initial plans, and the other will accommodate up to 200 guests. Plans for the event venues include 7,000 to 10,000 square feet of outdoor green space with direct access to the Murfreesboro Greenway and views of the Stones River.
Under the proposed agreement, the land would be sold for $6 per square foot, totaling $2,252,923, payable at closing. Including impact fees and annual recurring property and sales taxes, the city expects the project to generate nearly $12 million in revenue for the local government over 20 years.
“This project represents a smart, forward‑looking investment in Murfreesboro’s economic future,” said Mayor Shane McFarland. “By converting surplus land into more than $2.25 million in revenue with no subsidies, we’re strengthening our financial position while supporting a destination‑style venue that will serve residents and visitors alike.”
The agreement requires Hackberry 5 Properties to secure all zoning, site plan, design, and building approvals at its own expense. No incentives, tax abatements, or fee waivers are included. The City of Murfreesboro will retain the right to repurchase the property at the original sale price if the developer fails to begin site work within 180 days of closing or vertical construction within one year, according to terms of the agreement. Closing must occur no later than March 11, 2027.
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Cotton + Cradle, a children’s boutique formerly known as Georgia and Co., will celebrate the grand opening of its new downtown Murfreesboro storefront on Saturday, June 13, at 9 a.m. at 126 N. Church St. Those who attend can enjoy games and giveaways, light snacks and refreshments, swag bags for the first 50 customers to enter, and goodies for kids.
The shop says it will sell baby and toddler essentials, smocked styles, books and gifts.
Current posted hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Visit cottonandcradle.com for more details.
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Discount retailer Ollie’s Bargain Outlet appears to be preparing to open a Murfreesboro location at Mercury Plaza on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The Pennsylvania-based chain specializes in closeout merchandise, excess inventory and deeply discounted goods, including books, housewares, flooring, food items, toys, hardware and seasonal products, operating under the slogan “Good Stuff Cheap.”
Jobs openings for the Murfreesboro location have been spotted on LinkedIn.
Ollie’s operates hundreds of stores across the country and has continued expanding throughout Tennessee in recent years. Visit ollies.com for more information.
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Construction crews continue making visible progress on the future Buc-ee’s travel center in Murfreesboro near Interstate 24 and Joe B. Jackson Parkway.
Site work, utility installation and roadway improvements have accelerated in recent months as the massive travel center continues taking shape. Once complete, the Texas-based chain’s Murfreesboro location is expected to include more than 120 fuel pumps, extensive retail space, prepared food stations and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The project is anticipated to bring hundreds of jobs to Rutherford County and become a major regional travel stop between Nashville and Chattanooga. Buc-ee’s is known nationally for its oversized convenience stores, brisket sandwiches, Beaver Nuggets snacks and award-winning restrooms.
The Murfreesboro location is expected to open later in 2026.
Visit buc-ees.com for more information.
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TowBoatUS will add two Middle Tennessee operations this summer.
Building on the success of TowBoatUS Old Hickory Lake and TowBoatUS San Diego, Captain Rob Butler is expanding his Tennessee operations with TowBoatUS Percy Priest. This location will assist recreational boaters with services such as on-water towing assistance, fuel delivery, soft ungroundings, and battery jumps.
“We love serving the local boating community and being a dependable call when boaters need help. Whether it’s dock‑to‑dock towing or on‑water fuel delivery to get them moving again, we’re always just one phone call away,” said Butler, managing partner and owner of TowBoatUS Percy Priest who started his career on the water as owner of a fishing charter boat in the 1980s.
TowBoatUS Percy Priest will operate a 23-foot Parker and a 24‑foot Edgewater center‑console. Both vessels will be crewed by U.S. Coast Guard‑licensed captains and home-ported at Nashville Shores Marina.
“I’m excited to lead operations and support boaters on Percy Priest Lake,” said Travis Basom, operating partner at TowBoatUS Percy Priest and Rob’s nephew. “We focus on safe towing practices, clear communication, and careful handling, so when a day on the water doesn’t go as planned, boaters can count on us to help them get home safely.”
Additionally, Captains Jared Smith and Michael Brown have expanded their operations with the addition of a second port, TowBoatUS Center Hill Lake. The pair also owns TowBoatUS Dale Hollow Lake. Both locations are part of TowBoatUS, North America’s largest on-water towing fleet of more than 330 on-water towing ports nationwide.
Smith is a Center Hill Lake native and has been a captain for more than five years. His grandparents were longtime slip holders at Hurricane Marina, frequently taking him out on the lake and helping shape his passion for boating.
Boaters can call TowBoatUS Percy Priest directly at 615-917-1131 or contact TowBoatUS Center Hill Lake at 606-939-1636, or hail either on VHF radio Ch. 16.
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Murfreesboro resident and Air Force veteran Charles Pickett has launched YourTravel Advisor, a boutique travel-planning agency focused on personalized vacation services for Middle Tennessee travelers.
Founded in May 2026, the agency specializes in cruises, luxury travel, family vacations, adult getaways and all-inclusive resort packages. Pickett says the business is designed to offer a concierge-style alternative to online booking sites by providing customized planning assistance and insider travel guidance.
“Travel should feel exciting, not overwhelming,” Pickett said. “My goal is to help people plan trips with confidence and joy, while giving them the kind of personal support that makes every journey feel effortless.”
YourTravel Advisor partners with major travel brands including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea and Disney Cruise Line. Complimentary consultations are now available for travelers planning 2026 and 2027 vacations.
“Middle Tennessee is full of people who love to explore,” Pickett added. “I’m proud to help them discover new destinations and create unforgettable memories.”
For more information, visit ytadvisor.com.
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The City of Murfreesboro continues to progress with plans for its first police precinct. This will be a separate location from the current police department headquarters, which opened in 2018 on Highland Avenue. If approved, the new precinct building will be located along Veterans Parkway and should be completed by 2030.
Plans include a 21,000-square-foot facility to accommodate daily police operations, administrative offices and training spaces. The city said the addition of a new west-side precinct will allow for improved service, better resource management and fill the need for new facilities as the area grows.
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Litigation between Farm Credit Mid-America and Uncle Nearest, Inc.—which operates a distillery and entertainment complex in between Shelbyville and Murfreesboro—continues.
A federal judge has handed Farm Credit Mid-America a major victory, according to May reports from Shelbyville Now, “issuing a sweeping order that keeps the Shelbyville-based whiskey company under court-supervised receivership and sharply criticizes the company’s financial condition and leadership credibility.”
U.S. District Court has denied an effort by Fawn Weaver, Keith Weaver, and Grant Sidney, Inc. to end the receivership that has controlled Uncle Nearest operations since August 2025. The judge ruled the company remains financially unstable and that the Weavers failed to show any meaningful change in circumstances that would justify returning control of the business.
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CLOSED
Church Street Gallery has closed. The downtown Murfreesboro building that formerly housed the local art gallery, located at 124 N. Church St., is currently for rent.
