Tijuana Flats has opened at 1306 Westlawn Blvd. in Murfreesboro, its second Tennessee location. Tijuana Flats now has more than 50 locations across Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee (with its only other Tennessee restaurant located in Pigeon Forge).
Some of the restaurant’s best menu options include burrito bowls, queso, guac, flautas and chimichangas, as well as take-home taco and burrito kits. Desserts include churro fries with chocolate sauce and cookie dough flautas.
In January 2007 Tijuana Flats created the Just in Queso Foundation to give back even more to the community. That foundation has raised over $4 million and team members have donated countless hours to help others in need. Tijuana Flats also gives back internally through team member scholarships, a team member assistance fund and other in-house initiatives.
For more information, visit tijuanaflats.com.
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Dos Bros Mexican Grill will take over the former CycleBar location beside Bad Daddy’s Burgers in the complex located at 2249 Medical Center Pkwy. Offering a fast-casual dining experience, the restaurant chain has plans to open almost 50 locations across the U.S.
Menu options include bowls, salads, burritos and more, with queso, guac and salsas. Meals include gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, and Dos Bros says it uses fresh ingredients such as meats with no added hormones, salsa from scratch, beans soaked and prepared daily, non-GMO oils, and peppers fire-roasted on-site.
Visit dosbros.com for more information.
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Barrio Burrito Bar recently celebrated the grand opening of its Murfreesboro location at 3921 Franklin Rd., where the restaurant offers fresh burritos and burrito bowls. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
“From our guacamole to our fresh toppings, our food is a healthy alternative to traditional fast-food fare,” according to the company. “We may not be the only burrito in town, but we’ve certainly raised the bar. Find out what you’ve been missing at Barrio Burrito Bar Tennessee.”
Visit barrioburritobar.com for more information and menu options.
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Taste of India has announced it plans to open on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 120 Eleanor Way, offering an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet and menu options for dinner.
Taste of India will offer fish curry, lamb and goat, chicken, paneer and tandoori specialties, vegetarian and seafood options, salads and soups as well as domestic, Indian and other import beer options.
Visit tasteofindiatn.com to place an order or make a reservation.
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Seasons of Murfreesboro recently celebrated the opening of its second restaurant, located at 1733 Saint Andrews Dr. Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with breakfast ending at 10:30 a.m. and the restaurant transitioning to lunch and dinner selections. Some options include salads, pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.
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CAVA has opened another location in Murfreesboro at 2961 S. Church St., serving a variety of protein and grain bowls, salads, fresh beverages and more.
“Our mission is to bring heart, health and humanity to food, and everything we do at CAVA is grounded in that spirit of generosity, to our guests, our team members, and our community,” said CAVA Regional Director Louie Lovejoy. “We couldn’t be more excited to open a second restaurant in Murfreesboro.”
CAVA’s new Murfreesboro restaurant employs between 30 and 40 locals and aims to create career pathways for its team members, offering competitive pay and benefits, health care, early wage access and free mental health support. Visit cava.com for more information.
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Beloved Smyrna custard and hamburger joint Karin’s Kustard & Hamburgers temporarily closed following an accident at the South Lowry Street business. On Nov. 26 an out-of-control car crashed into the storefront, rendering the establishment inoperable. No employees were harmed in the incident.
Business owner Karin Dyer donated the food on hand to local food banks to prevent waste and to assist the organizations during the holiday season while the restaurant underwent repairs.
“We thank God that no one was injured,” Dyer posted on social media. “We would like to thank everyone for being so patient while we put our business back together. . . . We will be open by Friday, Jan. 3.”
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The Dragon’s Hoard has opened at the Stones River Town Centre, located in the unit beside Big Twist Pretzels. The store sells Magic the Gathering products and other board and card games. Dragon’s Hoard offers space for daily events including Friday Night Magic, Board Game Wednesdays and other gaming activities, with hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Visit dragonshoardboro.com for more information.
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School of Rock will open a Murfreesboro location at 1282 NW Broad St., taking over the former credit union building beside Champy’s Chicken. School of Rock currently operates more than 350 schools, with over 62,000 students worldwide, and hosts music lessons for all ages.
“Whether an absolute beginner or a budding rockstar, School of Rock students will achieve the next level of musical proficiency. How? Our patented performance-based education system, the School of Rock Method, includes individual lessons, group rehearsals and live performances, all with the goal of getting our students on stage performing at a real rock show at a real music venue,” according to information from the school.
Lessons offered include guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, singing and songwriting. For more information, visit schoolofrock.com.
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Redstone Federal Credit Union has announced plans for the construction of two multi-tenant commercial buildings, totaling 23,042 square feet on 3.88 acres located along Memorial Boulevard near Osborne Lane.
One building will house a new Redstone location, and the space will also provide available units for other merchants and restaurants.
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A lawsuit filed by Smyrna auto mechanic Jonathan Gilbert against Daylan Langford has been dismissed with prejudice under the Tennessee Public Participation Act, the Circuit Court for Rutherford County, Tennessee has ruled. The court awarded Langford “the mandatory court costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, discretionary costs and other expenses incurred in filing and prevailing upon the petition” and directed the parties to file supplemental briefing concerning whether Gilbert and his counsel should be sanctioned.
Gilbert’s lawsuit arose from the service Langford received at Jon’s Auto Service, which resulted in Langford undertaking a days-long protest. The peaceful protest involved Langford wearing a chicken-head mask and displaying “Jon the Con” signs outside on a public sidewalk for several days.
“This is a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation . . . [that] has been filed by Plaintiff Jonathan Gilbert—a no-good, very-bad auto mechanic who has a lengthy criminal record that includes crimes of dishonesty—against Daylan Langford, an unhappy customer who, like many before him, received poor and abusive service when he went to Jon’s Auto Service to get his truck repaired,” according to court documents filed by Langford’s counsel.
In response to Langford’s protest, Gilbert sued Langford for “an amount in excess of $500,000.” Langford then retained anti-SLAPP attorneys from Nashville firm Horwitz Law, PLLC, and petitioned to dismiss Gilbert’s lawsuit with prejudice under the Tennessee Public Participation Act.
On the night prior to the hearing, Gilbert attempted to withdraw his lawsuit and prevent Langford’s TPPA Petition from being adjudicated. Because Langford also filed a motion for summary judgment, the court ruled that Gilbert lacked authority to prevent the court from ruling.
Upon review, the court ruled that Gilbert’s lawsuit was filed in response to Langford’s exercise of his right to free speech. Therefore, the evidentiary burden shifted to Gilbert, and the court determined that Gilbert’s failure to support his claims with any evidence was fatal to his lawsuit.
“Peaceful protests are a quintessential American right and enjoy the First Amendment’s full protection,” said Horwitz Law principal Daniel Horwitz. “Mr. Langford should be commended for protecting that sacred right on behalf of all Tennesseans, and business owners who are so thin-skinned that they cannot handle valid customer criticism should find another line of work.”
Langford’s win follows a string of earlier TPPA victories for Horwitz Law against defamation and other speech-based tort claims, including representation of conservative commentator Candace Owens.
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Best of Best Review has honored Middle Tennessee-based Game Time Sports Network with the title of Best Live Play-By-Play Sports Streaming Provider of 2024. This award recognizes a dedication to delivering high-quality live sports streaming services.
“The Game Time Sports Network exceeded our expectations. They were passionate, professional and gave our tournament the exposure and experience that could not have been any better,” said Kody McGovern, tournament director for the Tennessee State Little League. “They are now our go-to for all of our tournaments going forward!”
In an industry where many streaming providers rely solely on AI-driven automation, The Game Time Sports Network prioritizes human connection and technical excellence. Their team aims to bring authenticity and excitement to every broadcast—baseball, basketball, football or soccer.
“Our services ensure that every game is more than just a broadcast—it’s an immersive experience,” said Jay Harper, CEO of Game Time Sports Network. “Our team is there to bring excitement to every play and resolve technical issues in real time, ensuring that every moment is captured and delivered seamlessly.”
With the ability to provide multi-camera video coverage of local sporting events, real-time play-by-play commentary, and streaming on its exclusive Roku channel, Game Time Sports Network continues building partnerships with area schools, leagues, teams and tournaments.
GTSN also serves as the exclusive live-stream provider at Pellissippi State Community College.
“They go above and beyond to make sure our athletic events are featured in the best possible light,” said Jake Woods, SID at Pellissippi State.
For more information on the Game Time Sports Network, visit gametimesportsnetwork.com or call 615-751-GAME.
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Onward Real Estate, a locally-owned brokerage led by Murfreesboro native Jenni Barnett and longtime resident Dawne Davis, has grown to more than 100 agents since its launch in Rutherford County back in June.
“With deep roots in the community and extensive knowledge of the market, we’re eager to bring a tailored, local real estate experience to Murfreesboro,” said Davis, managing broker of Onward Murfreesboro.
Davis joined Onward to lead its Murfreesboro office, located at 1225 Garrison Dr. She most recently served as a principal broker and partner with Parks in Murfreesboro. She has also been a realtor for 20 years, and has served as treasurer and vice president of Tennessee Realtors, and as a director for the Williamson County Association of Realtors.
CEO of Onward, Jenni Barnett, is an industry veteran with vast experience in managing rapid growth. In her previous role, she spearheaded the expansion of multiple service lines for Parks, which became one of the largest residential real estate firms in Tennessee. Barnett won the Nashville Business Journal’s chief financial officer of the year award in 2013.
“Since launching Onward this summer, more than 300 Middle Tennessee agents have joined our team, which is reflective of the desire we’ve seen for a hyper-local approach to real estate,” said Barnett. “Three members of our leadership team—Bob Parks, Dawne and myself—consider Murfreesboro home and we are particularly proud to have such a strong start in Rutherford County.”
Barnett has worked alongside real-estate icon Bob Parks—who serves as a senior advisor for Onward along with his wife, Marie—since the beginning of her career. Parks launched his realty career in Murfreesboro in 1975.
In addition to the Murfreesboro location, Onward has offices in Cool Springs, Green Hills and Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston neighborhood. For more information, visit onwardre.com.
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KST Performance Academy produces a yearly benefit concert known as KST Gives Back, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for special Rutherford County nonprofits. The annual event serves as a way for students to use their talents to give back to the Murfreesboro community. Following the 2024 concert, KST’s third annual fundraiser, the academy announced that a total of more than $13,000 has been raised over the past three years for the local Isaiah 117 House and Liberty’s Station.
The annual concert features students of all ages performing voice and piano numbers, from iconic pop songs to musical theatre hits, the solo and ensemble performances demonstrating the wide range of students at KST.
Located in the heart of historic downtown Murfreesboro, KST is dedicated to the transformative power of music and providing life-changing experiences for students. For more information, email info@kstperformanceacademy.com or call 629-247-1766.
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Following a recent study of Middle Tennessee State University alumni’s economic impact, Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr underscored the conclusion of the findings, pointing out that his county alone recorded over $4.1 billion in annual business revenue resulting from MTSU alum.
“I’m not surprised at the data enumerated in the report,” Carr said. The report also showed that MTSU generated over $15.2 billion in statewide business revenue each year. The Business and Economic Research Center within MTSU’s Jennings A. Jones College of Business detailed the positive financial impact of MTSU’s graduates throughout Tennessee in its 2024 MTSU Alumni Impact Report.
The report reflected how MTSU particularly bolsters the economies of its home and surrounding counties.
“I can’t imagine Rutherford County without an MTSU,” said Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce President Paul Latture.
Carr said that the university provides students with an opportunity to “become an integral part of the fastest-growing county in Tennessee.”
“One of the things we do in economic development, when we recruit every single day, we have a leg up because we have a great university in MTSU here,” Carr said.
MTSU alumni in Nashville and Davidson County, including alumni-owned businesses, recorded the second-highest total in business revenue among Tennessee counties after Rutherford, generating $2.9 billion.
According to 2022 numbers, Rutherford County had the largest number of MTSU alumni residents at 32,500.
Davidson follows behind with more than 19,300. Williamson, Wilson and Maury counties are next with approximately 10,000, 6,000 and 4,400, respectively.
“Most of our graduates remain in our state, adding to the workforce, paying taxes, starting businesses and contributing to our communities,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee.
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CLOSED
Slim & Husky’s has closed its Medical Center Parkway pizzeria location after just a few years in business; the business still operates numerous locations in Nashville and Atlanta.
