4Top Hospitality has announced that it will bring its Char restaurant concept to Murfreesboro. The modern, Southern-style steakhouse will be located in a new development called The Exchange, a mixed-use expansion near The Avenue. The 6,600-square-foot restaurant marks the brand’s latest expansion and the company plans a groundbreaking later this year with a projected opening in 2027.

“We’re excited to bring our steakhouse to the rapidly-growing Rutherford County area,” said Doug Hogrefe, a partner at Nashville-based 4Top Hospitality. “Guests can expect the same great menu, wine selection, live music and hospitality they’ve experienced at our Nashville location.”

The development will be located at 2305 Exchange Dr., near the corner of Medical Center Parkway and Robert Rose Drive, across from Trader Joe’s. 4Top Hospitality has partnered with the Foundry Commercial team for the Murfreesboro location, as well as Char Franklin, which will open sometime in 2026 within the Canteen on Carothers development in Williamson County.

With roots beginning in 2001 in Jackson and locations in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, Char specializes in USDA Prime and Choice cuts of meat, fresh seafood, homestyle sides to share, a weekday meat-and-three lunch special, New Orleans-style jazz brunch and a selection of classic cocktails, wine and bourbon.

The Murfreesboro restaurant is expected to provide a gathering area in a space where guests work and live, making Char a suitable location for lunches, after-work drinks, and an upscale dinner spot. Char Murfreesboro will feature the concept’s signature piano bar, menu of modern takes on Southern favorites, Wine Spectator’s award-winning wine list, and a private dining space. Char Murfreesboro expects to bring about 50 jobs to the area. This makes the sixth restaurant for Char, with other locations in Franklin, Huntsville, Jackson, Memphis and Nashville.

“We’ve been considering a location in Murfreesboro for quite a while. Liz Craig and the Foundry Commercial team have been instrumental in supporting our expansion endeavors in the areas surrounding Davidson County. The Exchange development offers everything we look for in a new Char site, and we’re thrilled to become part of the Murfreesboro community,” said 4Top Hospitality Director of Strategy Ali Buchanan.

Nashville-based 4Top Hospitality Group also currently owns and operates Amerigo, etch, etc., Jasper’s and Saltine. For more information, visit 4tophospitality.com/char.

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Surcheros is opening a location in Murfreesboro in the space vacated by Slim & Husky’s, located at 2222 Medical Center Pkwy., Suite A. It will host a grand opening celebration on Monday, Oct. 6, starting at 10:30 a.m.

To celebrate the opening, Surcheros is giving away free burritos for a year to the first 100 guests who make a purchase and scan their receipt in the Surcheros app.

The new location features tacos, bowls, grilled burritos and quesadillas with premium meats and vegetables. The menu includes a selection of more than 25 toppings and a variety of signature sauces.

“We’re incredibly excited to open our second location in Tennessee and bring Surcheros to the Murfreesboro community,” said Luke Christian, founder and CEO of Surcheros. “Our menu is all about providing fresh, made-to-order meals that are both delicious and convenient.”

The restaurant will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

For more information about Surcheros, visit surcheros.com.

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Aloha Express Hawaiian BBQ recently celebrated its grand opening at 2705 Old Fort Pkwy. in the former Fu Sing building beside Lucky Thai. The new restaurant offers an array of authentic Hawaiian meals and appetizers, seafood to salads. Restaurant owners Ren Qun Jiang and Chao Wen, who previously operated Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse in Smyrna for 14 years before selling it, have worked in the food industry for more than 30 years.

Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Visit alohaexpresstn.com for further information.

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Swig, the popular drive-thru dirty soda chain, will open at 1213 Greenland Dr., in the former Truist Bank building just across from MTSU’s Floyd Stadium. The Utah-based company is known for its customizable sodas mixed with flavored syrups, cream, and fruit along with cookies and snacks.

Swig came to the Nashville market earlier this year, and will open the new restaurant space sometime this fall in the 2,085-square-foot space. Franchisee Mark Kunz, who has already opened locations in Brentwood and Spring Hill, will operate the Murfreesboro location. Eventually, he plans to open 15 Middle Tennessee locations, he says.

“The plan is to put two to three in Murfreesboro, and we felt the university students were a great market for us. That was the first thing,” Kunz said.

Visit swigdrinks.com for more.

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The former Dos Rancheros restaurant building, located at 2458 Old Fort Pkwy., will soon become a La Michoacana Ice Cream location, according to a banner hung at the building. Renovations are underway within and outside the building, with an expected opening later this year.

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Buona Beef and Rainbow Cone opened their doors to the public in September. Located at 2724 Roby Corlew Ln., the restaurant offers Chicago’s original Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, salads and more, with an ice cream and doughnut shop within the same space.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Visit buona.com for more information.

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Blue Hub Nutrition and Energy Tea has opened at the former Daily Dollar at 1106 Old Lascassas Rd. The new drink shop specializes in Herbalife-based protein shakes and colorful energy teas, offering a quick option for those looking for meal replacements or a boost on the go.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed on Sundays.

Visit bluehubnutrition.com for more information.

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Rob Handy, owner of Bricks and Minifigs, will open a Murfreesboro location at 510 N. Thompson Ln. between Panda Express and the Vitamin Shoppe.

The new store will buy, sell and trade new and used Lego bricks, minifigures and sets.

“At Bricks & Minifigs, our motto is ‘Rebuild, Reuse, Reimagine’—and it guides everything we do. Whether hunting for the latest Lego sets, searching for retired favorites, or digging through our bulk bricks to spark your creativity, you’ll find something special every visit,” according to bricksandminifigs.com. “Got Lego sets or pieces you no longer need? Bring them in to sell or trade—we love giving old bricks new life!”

The store expects to celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 13.

Visit bricksandminifigs.com/murfreesboro-tn for more information.

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Jamie Logan has opened Jamie’s Table Home + Garden at 7027 Main St. in Christiana at the former Big Creek Winery Tasting Room location. Jamie’s Table provides a variety of nursery plants, and currently features fall necessities including mums, pumpkins, fire pits and more.

Find Jamie’s Table Home + Garden on Facebook for more.

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Megan and Orion Smith have created Rolling Video Games Murfreesboro, a one-of-a-kind, family-fun business dedicated to bringing video games on wheels to parties and community events across Middle Tennessee.

The luxury mobile video game theater is climate-controlled and features a high-tech trailer equipped with the latest consoles, stadium seating and immersive lighting.

“From birthday parties and church events, to school celebrations and corporate team-building, we’ve built our reputation on delivering stress-free, host-friendly entertainment that kids and adults rave about,” according to the company’s marketing. “We go beyond the screen. Alongside video games, we offer Nerf and laser battles, giant yard games, and creative pixel craft stations—all designed to spark joy, teamwork and connection.”

For information on Rolling Video Games and booking requests, visit rollingvideogamesmurfreesboro.com.

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America’s Thrift Stores has opened a new location at 1030 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. America’s Thrift Stores offers major savings, as well as constantly revolving stock and a clean space for those looking to snag a deal. The store has three additional Tennessee locations in Chattanooga and Knoxville, with more than 30 locations total throughout the Southeast.

In addition, the store offers a variety of member perks including discounts, free birthday rewards, special offers and more.

For more information, visit americasthrift.com.

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Friends of the Stones River National Battlefield has been awarded a grant that will allow the organization to hire an executive director. In a recent Facebook post, the group announced that The National Park Foundation had awarded the Friends with a very large grant under their Park Partner Capacity Building Campaign. The grants allow partners of parks, such as the Friends of the Stones River National Battlefield, to continue providing long-term assistance to U.S. national parks.

“With this grant, we will be able to hire an executive director. This position will allow us to move towards a professional organization rather than relying on a small group of volunteers,” according to the social media post from Friends of the Stones River National Battlefield. “The Director will network with local businesses and organizations to raise the visibility of the Friends. The grant will allow us to purchase the tools to take advantage of technology to market the Friends organization. This will allow us to meet our goals to increase membership and donations. Finally, the new Director will be able to identify and apply for available grant opportunities. A well-built foundation will enable us to increase the financial support to Stones River National Battlefield.”

Those interested in applying for the new executive director position can send resumes to contact@friendsofstonesriver.org.

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MTSU has unveiled plans to construct a four-story parking garage at Blue Raider Drive and Alumni Drive near the Womack Lane apartments, as well as a new five-story housing building with 150 multifamily residential dwelling units at Blue Raider Drive and Homecoming Circle.

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The Yard Sale Store will relocate its Murfreesboro store to 745 Old Fort Pkwy., previously the longtime home of the recently closed Quality Furniture.

The business, which offers overstock, liquidation and scratch-and-dent items, will also change the name of all of its stores, located in Smyrna and Mt. Juliet in addition to the relocated Murfreesboro location, to Overstock Outlet.

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Chase Bank will open another Murfreesboro branch on Medical Center Parkway within Clari Park.

Chase Bank, which previously announced that it would open a new location on South Church Street in 2027, has moved the opening date of that branch to sometime this November. It will be located at 2973 S. Church St. near First Watch and Chipotle.

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Cintas Murfreesboro will construct a large industrial building at Beasie Road and Warrior Drive, where it will operate a Murfreesboro location.

Cintas offers branded uniforms and work apparel, restroom and facility services, safety gear, compliance training and much more. For more information, visit cintas.com.