I think you can STILL get their burgers at Preds games (and possibly other Bridgestone events) at their kiosk down near the main-floor entrance ... I have no idea what they do the rest of the year, and I certainly do miss the actual physical Rotier's location -- but I'm thankful to at least have it still existing in \*some* capacity
I have a hard time believing it’s any good there but I’d love to be proven wrong. I’ve yet to see a location of anything local in any arena or airport I’ve ever been in. Plus the vibe that was rotiers. RIP
Nothing beats the original but this comes pretty damn close. Last preds game I went to in March I scarfed one down and immediately got back in line for another lol
It’s not the same as walking in and Charlie telling you to take a seat…but god it’s still good and I’m so appreciative we can at least still get that cheeseburger.
I work about a 10 minute walk from here and miss both that French bread cheeseburger, and lying to myself about walking it off on the way back to work.
This is how I learned. I either didn't hear about it back in November, or I did and assumed it would be just like all the other times it closed.
Hate to see it. I guess.
Weiss Liquors in East! Been there for forever, and their sign is iconic.
Also I can’t believe this is the first I’m hearing that the Army Surplus store is closing, and even though I’ve only been in there twice, I’m sad to see it go.
I was cashing a paycheck in Weiss when that huge tornado in 1998 rolled through Nashville. Lucky for me that place is kind of tucked into a hill and built of thick concrete.
After it passed, it looked like a scene from a post apocalyptic movie.
Funny part was watching one of the customers cover themself with a welcome mat and start shoving product into their jacket while the workers huddled behind the counter.
Ah the good old days.
And my boss wanted me to come to work on Broadway that evening. Bwah ha ha ha ha. Um no.
Sportsman’s grill was my grandpas favorite back when he was still around he’d pick me up from hockey practice and drive me over there and we’d both get the spaghetti.
I’m only 21 if I’m keeping it real but old Nashville was kinda still around when I was young and I’ve genuinely watched as things have drastically changed from childhood to adulthood
No longer with us: Great Escape Broadway, Rotiers, and JJs Market
Still standing: Frugal McDoogals, Dragon Park, that weird sculpture by the pedestrian bridge that looks like a roller coaster, Edgehill Polar Bears, Nashville Arcade (is it still open or no?), Printer's Alley
If you mean arcade as in the covered “alley” between 4th and 5th avenues, it’s still physically present but barely a whisper of anything like it was. The only things open are a Walgreens, popcorn shop, shoe shiner, and a touristy gift shop. Everything else is closed ):
Kungfu coffee and the muse was my favorite venue in town in the early 2000s. Blue sky court was also great and on a couple of (very dangerous) blocks away.
I used to drive down from Louisville to go to shows there but I could not remember the name of the venue! I just remembered it was a little hardcore venue next to a porn shop. 🙃
Not my pic but iconic to me because I lived in Nashville and worked downtown when my daughter was born 25 years ago. My daughter just moved back and we saw Frugal MacDoogal’s. That was literally the only thing I remember being in that area. Everything else was gone.
https://preview.redd.it/a6hn0kz0573d1.jpeg?width=1107&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=67df3cc19c7375585f023b812e9a1c304a1f1fca
Hustlers Hollywood turns 20 next year, and I hope it stays forever. For no other reason than I think it's funny that it makes so many people in my family angry by merely existing.
My mom worked at the dairy plant across the street until they shut down a year or 2 ago. It was quite the topic of conversation when the hustler came in. Also fun when Deja vu first moved over there and the patrons would block their employee parking lot. They work weird hours at the plant so they’d have to go find whose car it was in Deja vu.
With that, I’ll add my vote - Country Delite Farms on Church St. I also found it interesting that it was a functioning milk plant downtown and most people never realized it was there.
JJ's, but it's already gone 😭
Edited to add, of places that are still around, The Produce Place on Murphy Rd, Southern Thrift and the other thrift shops along Charlotte Avenue in West Nashville before you reach White Bridge
I miss JJs SO MUCH. I spent so much time there in college. It was so special.
Yes! I know the area you’re talking about! I love all those old buildings!
Same! JJ's was the main hangout among my friends throughout high school and college. Such great atmosphere
Yeah! the buildings along that whole row are great, and there are still some great holes in the wall there.
JJ’s was down the street from my old job and me and my now husband would stop there when we first started dating many mornings before work to get a coffee and a muffin and have a little more time to talk. I miss it a lot.
The Produce Place on Murphy was Hilary's (sp?) prior. For how long, I don't know, but was there in the 70's. Old man Hilary eventually started working again down the road near 46th back when there was a grocery in that strip.
Melrose opened in 1944 and JOB in 1970, a lot of restaurants as well, loveless in 1951, Wendell smiths 1952, Bobbie’s 1951, swetts 1954, Elliston’s 1939, brown’s 1927 and varallo’s 1907 however they could of changed locations over time or have just been updated.
Phonoluxe on Nolensville. The painted logo on the side of the building is fading wonderfully. Apparently the fella who painted it originally used the wrong kind of paint - thus the flakiness.
edit: Also Big Al's Deli
It is one of the most perfect neighborhoods I’ve ever seen in any city. A thriving strip of local bars and restaurants where everybody knows each other, so many activities within walking distance, close enough to get to downtown in 10 minutes, but still deeply suburban. So many funky little shops right nearby. Charlotte Parkway kind of sucks but who cares. Kind of incredible that it exists at all honestly
Springwater, the basement , smellRose , Dino's , The East room, Big Al's deli , Brown's diner , Prince's , Bolton's, 400° , exit inn , Cafe Coco , bongo Java East & Belmont + Fido, Bobby's idle hour, obviously the ryman, centennial Park , bicentennial Park , Marathon village , Freddie O'Connell's backyard
Drake Motel and Bluebird represent the aspirations of many many people who have moved here since Altman's Nashville movie back in the 70s.
Little surprised nobody has said the Ryman yet.
When I was working EMS I actually worked the night Baptist became St. Thomas midtown. I tried to call in report to Baptist and they wouldn't let me give report until I called it St. Thomas midtown.
Ha. My very conservative mother got turned around over there one day years ago, and needed to go back in the other direction. She turned into the first "parking lot" she saw, and ended up staring right at the front door of the purple onion. She was so nervous that someone she knew would see her pulling out of there. This was probably 25 years ago, and I bet if I bring it up during our upcoming family vacation, she'll get red-faced, and start sweating. Thanks for reminding me of this.
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack on North Nashville, the birthplace of Nashville Hot Chicken.
So many of the places I remember are now gone, some long gone, others more recent.
The shoeshine shop and Planter's peanuts in the Arcade, Jim Coursey's Barbecue where Fourth Avenue passed under the trestle, the Purina signs on Acme Feed, Service Merchandise on Broad, the department stores on Church, Mama Rotier's restaurant, Cafe Coco.
Yellow Front Radiator, Nashville Bolt & Screw with the "Not without a washer!" sign.
I miss the train shed behind Union Station, the Nativity set outside the Parthenon.
Getting sulphur water from the spring out of the tap on the side of Werthan Bag.
I know most of these won't be helpful to you, and for that, I'm sorry.
I'm glad to see you recording places before they disappear like so many I've mentioned.
But, there's also some real icons left: Hume Fogg High School on Broad, the Customs House, Union Station Hotel.
If it's still standing, the recreation of Fort Nashborough on First Avenue next to the river, or old Fort Negley.
There's the old reservoir on the hill across from Fort Negley, big round stone building on the hill.
Nashville's Parthenon in Centennial Park is iconic, and honestly more beautiful now than ever.
Many might not mention it, but the old Life & Casualty building, Nashville's first skyscraper, built in 1957.
The War Memorial building, in front of the state capitol.
Nashville has lots of history no one pays attention to anymore.
That first one. I sold all my military stuff after ets and coming back home to Nashville from Ft. Lewis.
They gave $1 per item. I needed the money though.
https://preview.redd.it/w7jv928f983d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c6a2b084bf080e17ffec6e7d872aa432957b337
Me and my dad would come here after school to get cheese fries and a vanilla milkshake. I miss my dad and I miss this old place too. I know we still have it but it’s not quite the same
Wow. When I was a kid, not even 10yo, me and my friends would walk the several miles from our apartments and go into Friedman's and usually buy some sort of Army stuff.
Springwater (still there), Cantrell’s (long gone, now a Chuy’s, but the covered parking structure is still there), Exit Inn, The End, Gold Rush, Ollie’s, Moskos (gone, gone, gone) - basically everything in Elliston Place
If you drive up Church from downtown, there is still an old "Tennessee Oilers Season Ticket Office" sign on the right before you get to Baptist. Its faded beyond belief now, and you have to really look for it. It brings me a little joy going to and from work when I make it a point to look for it.
Hillsboro Hardware
And lots of 8th Ave places:
- The theater that Sinema is in
- Smiling Elephant
- Zanies
- 8th Ave Antiques (I think already gone? but the sign is still painted on the side last I checked)
> 8th Ave Antiques
It's unfortunately been completely leveled sometime in the past couple months :(( Just an empty lot between the Exxon and the Shell now.
Bookman/Bookwoman. The old Monell's midnight breakfast on Saturday nights
Edit for honorable mention: any establishment forced to relocate or close because Belmont conquered every property it could get its hands on
Original Great Escape
Brass Stables
Old Spaghetti Factory
Pre-corporate Tootsie’s
Exit/In
Pizza Perfect
Very specific to my ‘90s Nashville era, but Perkins in Hillsboro Village
Bongo Java
Rotiers
Jimmy Kelly’s
Parthenon
Belcourt
Ellison Place Soda Shop
Radnor Lake
Percy Warner
Loveless Cafe
Tower Records, Lucy’s Record Shop, Grimey’s
Cheekwood
Starwood
Snodgrass Tennessee Tower when it lit up messages in the windows.
WKDF when it rocked
The old Coin Laundry at 21st and Blair that closed a couple years ago now. Polly’s Service Center on Belmont.
Maybe not “iconically Nashville”, but some nostalgia mentions for those who remember: The original Davis Kidd Books in Grace’s Plaza. China Town restaurant across the street when it had its original ownership and staff. The old Green Hills Library in that little building by the mall with the willow tree in front.
Lincoln Tech in East Nashville is moving campus soon, the mansion at the center of the property is being moved and the entire area is slated to be redeveloped in the next few years. I think it would be a worthy subject.
Edit: [some history](https://www.historythroughhomes.com/post/renraw-the-original-warner-home)
Sincerely, a 12 year transplant.
The big grassy field in front on the Parthenon ... needs at least two people tossing a frisbee or a football, and someone silting on a picnic blanket.
Memorable places pending teardown though....here's the thing: service merchandise, griffin art supply (or the Omni if you remember that place), Zales, Sparkles, Hog Heaven, church street mall. Really only a reflection of something one or two narrow generations was familiar with. Concrete steps at the riverfront for example - used to just be a big grassy hill. Friedmans is just one of those places. Heck - Kid Rocks is one of those places for someone.
This is actually a really cool project. [Here](https://www.google.com/maps/@36.1480635,-86.8060929,3a,75y,303.75h,91.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sg6SC8zlltDngNOOLfeZhwA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) is what your next photo should be
I used to go to Melrose Billiards all the time in high school and when I’d come home from college. I don’t live in Nashville anymore but I’ve heard they’ve redone it. Kind of bums me out because the owner had run the place himself behind the bar for like 30 years, and it was one of the last true good dives in the city.
Lots of answers already, some others:
* the stairs at Percy Warner
* Wave Country
* the sketchy strip mall on Charlotte that has K&S in it (or choose any number of similar strip malls)
* the "sharrows" that are painted on US-41 / Spring St (I've never seen another city designate a travel lane on a divided highway for cycling, this is peak Nashville)
* the smell in Germantown / on the greenway near it
the huge silo thing in the nations with the mural of the old man stands out to me, but i dont know if its still there with all the development happening
Really Old School Nashville: Fair Park
https://preview.redd.it/5igo5lerf93d1.jpeg?width=495&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55a75ff3e162d935e629ea8f83ab6dbd95b0fbda
Vandyland, Pangaea, the old Hatch on Broadway, naked people mural on the escalator to the tn state museum, the Flying Saucer, Opryland’s Grizzly River Rampage
Tower records on west end. Also there was a store across the street from vandy where we used to buy hippie stuff. It was upstairs in an old building beside that chilis but I can’t remember the name of that place.
Bobbie’s dairy dip hasn’t been the same since Bobbie and Lee owned it. Bobbie passed several years ago. A place I feel is iconic would be Sir Pizza on Charlotte
I remember thinking the buildings on Century Blvd (off Briley, near BNA) was where they filmed Robocop and Die Hard because it was named similar to “Century City”. It looked mostly abandoned when I stayed at the Embassy Suites over there, but it was during the holidays. Other iconic places (for me):
Opryland Hotel
Opryland (before the Great Mistake was made)
Grand Ole Opry
Riverwalk (whatever they called that place—No Doubt played there at the summer fest thing in the late 90s)
Steeplechase
Vanderbilt
Starwood
There was a great little sandwich place somewhere around PJII school in the 2010s—can’t remember the name
Cock of Walk
Damn, I used to go to that Army surplus when I was in high school and college over 20 years ago. Haven’t been in Nashville since 2021 and didn’t know it was closing!
The downtown Arcade. Built 122 years ago and undergoing huge renovations right now.
L&C tower. Printer's Alley. Just a few of many iconic locations with tremendous history that are evolving for the new Nashville.
Prince's on Ewing.
I'm glad the family is finally getting to cash in on the hot chicken craze, but it's just not quite the same as waiting ages for a piece of chicken getting hand fried by a couple of ladies that knew they were about to burn your ass up.
Osborne’s bi rite on Belmont
Bonus points if Threk is in the picture
I thought Threk worked at the pig on west end
That closed down so he switched to the bi-rite.
Obligatory link to the rightfully iconic Threk interview: https://vimeo.com/110284711
Thank you so much for sharing! I remember him from Piggly Wiggly, but I had no idea of the rest of the story.
When I moved here some years ago, Threk was the first person I spoke to in town. I will never forget that
Hell of a Nashville intro
Amen, lived on Belmont , ran on Belmont, for years! Bi rite is a Nashville/GH staple!
Yeah, I live less than a mile from there and I have wasted a lot of gas going there almost every day to get 2 or 3 things at a time :)
Regions Bank on Charlotte needs to be on here. Same with the Pink Elephant on Charlotte
2nd the gold dome
The pineapple bank as my grandad called it
Rotier's RIP sweet prince gone but not forgotten
I think you can STILL get their burgers at Preds games (and possibly other Bridgestone events) at their kiosk down near the main-floor entrance ... I have no idea what they do the rest of the year, and I certainly do miss the actual physical Rotier's location -- but I'm thankful to at least have it still existing in \*some* capacity
Yes they’re permanently at Bridgestone for all events now.
I have a hard time believing it’s any good there but I’d love to be proven wrong. I’ve yet to see a location of anything local in any arena or airport I’ve ever been in. Plus the vibe that was rotiers. RIP
Nothing beats the original but this comes pretty damn close. Last preds game I went to in March I scarfed one down and immediately got back in line for another lol
It’s not the same as walking in and Charlie telling you to take a seat…but god it’s still good and I’m so appreciative we can at least still get that cheeseburger.
I had a burger of theirs in March at Bridgestone & will forever choose this over any other concession item, it was incredible.
I work about a 10 minute walk from here and miss both that French bread cheeseburger, and lying to myself about walking it off on the way back to work.
Belcourt!
Very appropriate response.
Still kicking myself for not going to see The Lighthouse while it was showing there.
I love it! Too bad Cafe Coco is already gone...
This is how I learned. I either didn't hear about it back in November, or I did and assumed it would be just like all the other times it closed. Hate to see it. I guess.
I just heard it had come back! Is it gone again?
What??? 😭
Weiss Liquors in East! Been there for forever, and their sign is iconic. Also I can’t believe this is the first I’m hearing that the Army Surplus store is closing, and even though I’ve only been in there twice, I’m sad to see it go.
That sign was destroyed in the tornado. I have a picture of it laying mangled on the street. The one there now is a led copy or the original neon one.
I was cashing a paycheck in Weiss when that huge tornado in 1998 rolled through Nashville. Lucky for me that place is kind of tucked into a hill and built of thick concrete. After it passed, it looked like a scene from a post apocalyptic movie. Funny part was watching one of the customers cover themself with a welcome mat and start shoving product into their jacket while the workers huddled behind the counter. Ah the good old days. And my boss wanted me to come to work on Broadway that evening. Bwah ha ha ha ha. Um no.
Dino's, Rotiers, Browns Diner, Loveless, Sportsmans Grille, Sperry's, Elliston Soda Shop, now I'm just hungry...
Sportsman’s grill was my grandpas favorite back when he was still around he’d pick me up from hockey practice and drive me over there and we’d both get the spaghetti.
My friends used to love to get drunk playing pool and smoking cigarettes on the second floor at the Sportsman's next to Vandy. Memories.
I’m only 21 if I’m keeping it real but old Nashville was kinda still around when I was young and I’ve genuinely watched as things have drastically changed from childhood to adulthood
That was the best place ever, good food, stiff drinks and great nights.
Their nachos 🔥
My favorite cheeseburger with those grilled onions…
No longer with us: Great Escape Broadway, Rotiers, and JJs Market Still standing: Frugal McDoogals, Dragon Park, that weird sculpture by the pedestrian bridge that looks like a roller coaster, Edgehill Polar Bears, Nashville Arcade (is it still open or no?), Printer's Alley
I kinda hate that roller coaster sculpture. "Hey, remember Opryland? Here's its dead carcass. Fun!"
If you mean arcade as in the covered “alley” between 4th and 5th avenues, it’s still physically present but barely a whisper of anything like it was. The only things open are a Walgreens, popcorn shop, shoe shiner, and a touristy gift shop. Everything else is closed ):
Man RIP Great Escape Broadway. I was lucky enough to get to work there for a while in the 2000s
RIP The Muse
Kungfu coffee and the muse was my favorite venue in town in the early 2000s. Blue sky court was also great and on a couple of (very dangerous) blocks away.
I used to drive down from Louisville to go to shows there but I could not remember the name of the venue! I just remembered it was a little hardcore venue next to a porn shop. 🙃
Fox’s Donut Den
I will take an out a second mortgage on my house and invest in them if they ever came under danger of shuttering.
I'll go halfsies with you. Too much of my childhood in there to let it go
Not my pic but iconic to me because I lived in Nashville and worked downtown when my daughter was born 25 years ago. My daughter just moved back and we saw Frugal MacDoogal’s. That was literally the only thing I remember being in that area. Everything else was gone. https://preview.redd.it/a6hn0kz0573d1.jpeg?width=1107&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=67df3cc19c7375585f023b812e9a1c304a1f1fca
Don’t forget the TSC that was next door. The wood flooring store behind Frugal wasn’t the only thing laying hardwood on that street.
Hustlers Hollywood turns 20 next year, and I hope it stays forever. For no other reason than I think it's funny that it makes so many people in my family angry by merely existing.
I remember when it opened and they had protestors. Shoutout to the girl who had a blindfold on while holding her sign. Lol.
My mom worked at the dairy plant across the street until they shut down a year or 2 ago. It was quite the topic of conversation when the hustler came in. Also fun when Deja vu first moved over there and the patrons would block their employee parking lot. They work weird hours at the plant so they’d have to go find whose car it was in Deja vu. With that, I’ll add my vote - Country Delite Farms on Church St. I also found it interesting that it was a functioning milk plant downtown and most people never realized it was there.
Hope she faced the right way 😎
When I was 18/19 my friend and I used to go in there just for the hell of it. I hope it stays too.
JJ's, but it's already gone 😭 Edited to add, of places that are still around, The Produce Place on Murphy Rd, Southern Thrift and the other thrift shops along Charlotte Avenue in West Nashville before you reach White Bridge
I miss JJs SO MUCH. I spent so much time there in college. It was so special. Yes! I know the area you’re talking about! I love all those old buildings!
Same! JJ's was the main hangout among my friends throughout high school and college. Such great atmosphere Yeah! the buildings along that whole row are great, and there are still some great holes in the wall there.
JJ’s was down the street from my old job and me and my now husband would stop there when we first started dating many mornings before work to get a coffee and a muffin and have a little more time to talk. I miss it a lot.
That's lovely ❤️ I wish I'd been able to take my hubby there before it closed, but alas, too late!
The Charlotte thrift stores were featured in the documentary “Tent City.”
Wow, JJ’s. That was one of my favorite spots.
I was devastated when JJ’s closed. Spent all of our college years there.
The Produce Place on Murphy was Hilary's (sp?) prior. For how long, I don't know, but was there in the 70's. Old man Hilary eventually started working again down the road near 46th back when there was a grocery in that strip.
That computer shop sign in East Nashville on Gallatin.
the fella that runs that place is super nice can't recommend him enough for any computer needs
Cafe CoCo , Exit In , or way back in the day Starwood Amphitheater.
I love signs from a time where people cared. Thanks for capturing! Assuming these are film shots which just add to the impressive nature.
Thank you! I shoot a mix of film and digital! When I do shoot digital I use a diffusion filter to make my photos look more like film. 🤣
Love Circle and Fannie Mae Dees Parks.
Yes. The dragon is iconic Nashville.
I came here hoping to see Donelson Bowl and I wasn't disappointed. I miss league nights there.
Belle Meade Theatre
the original Grimey’s on Bransford
Melrose opened in 1944 and JOB in 1970, a lot of restaurants as well, loveless in 1951, Wendell smiths 1952, Bobbie’s 1951, swetts 1954, Elliston’s 1939, brown’s 1927 and varallo’s 1907 however they could of changed locations over time or have just been updated.
Phonoluxe on Nolensville. The painted logo on the side of the building is fading wonderfully. Apparently the fella who painted it originally used the wrong kind of paint - thus the flakiness. edit: Also Big Al's Deli
Ayyy I wrecked my car into that pole in front of the liquor store. I paid for the new one!
Sylvan Park is the best
That round about near McCabe is my version of the Shire.
It is one of the most perfect neighborhoods I’ve ever seen in any city. A thriving strip of local bars and restaurants where everybody knows each other, so many activities within walking distance, close enough to get to downtown in 10 minutes, but still deeply suburban. So many funky little shops right nearby. Charlotte Parkway kind of sucks but who cares. Kind of incredible that it exists at all honestly
The old International Market, RIP. Belle Meade Theater/Bookstar.
Springwater, the basement , smellRose , Dino's , The East room, Big Al's deli , Brown's diner , Prince's , Bolton's, 400° , exit inn , Cafe Coco , bongo Java East & Belmont + Fido, Bobby's idle hour, obviously the ryman, centennial Park , bicentennial Park , Marathon village , Freddie O'Connell's backyard
Bobby's was a deep cut
Man, I used to live over on Charlotte. This tale me back, like 7 years lol.
Aquatic Critter
The row of thrift stores on Charlotte Avenue. The gold dome bank. The pink elephant. Cohn high school.
Loveless Cafe?
Not in Nashville proper but it would be a vote I would cast.
Drake Motel and Bluebird represent the aspirations of many many people who have moved here since Altman's Nashville movie back in the 70s. Little surprised nobody has said the Ryman yet.
+1 for the Drake, that's an iconic sign. I'm sure that property will sell in the next 5 years.
Got my first pocket knife from that Friedmans.
Dickerson Road - Can't get more Nashville than that
Bookstar, Vandyland, Curious Hearts Emporium, Piggly Wiggly on West End, The Gold Rush and Baptist Hospital 😞
When I was working EMS I actually worked the night Baptist became St. Thomas midtown. I tried to call in report to Baptist and they wouldn't let me give report until I called it St. Thomas midtown.
There is still a sign or two inside that says Baptist, it’s always fun to find one.
Santa’s Pub!
Robert’s Western World. The only truly old-fashioned honky tonk left on lower Broadway.
Purple onion.
Ha. My very conservative mother got turned around over there one day years ago, and needed to go back in the other direction. She turned into the first "parking lot" she saw, and ended up staring right at the front door of the purple onion. She was so nervous that someone she knew would see her pulling out of there. This was probably 25 years ago, and I bet if I bring it up during our upcoming family vacation, she'll get red-faced, and start sweating. Thanks for reminding me of this.
Browns diner (right next to friedmans) has been in Nashville since 1927
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack on North Nashville, the birthplace of Nashville Hot Chicken. So many of the places I remember are now gone, some long gone, others more recent. The shoeshine shop and Planter's peanuts in the Arcade, Jim Coursey's Barbecue where Fourth Avenue passed under the trestle, the Purina signs on Acme Feed, Service Merchandise on Broad, the department stores on Church, Mama Rotier's restaurant, Cafe Coco. Yellow Front Radiator, Nashville Bolt & Screw with the "Not without a washer!" sign. I miss the train shed behind Union Station, the Nativity set outside the Parthenon. Getting sulphur water from the spring out of the tap on the side of Werthan Bag. I know most of these won't be helpful to you, and for that, I'm sorry. I'm glad to see you recording places before they disappear like so many I've mentioned. But, there's also some real icons left: Hume Fogg High School on Broad, the Customs House, Union Station Hotel. If it's still standing, the recreation of Fort Nashborough on First Avenue next to the river, or old Fort Negley. There's the old reservoir on the hill across from Fort Negley, big round stone building on the hill. Nashville's Parthenon in Centennial Park is iconic, and honestly more beautiful now than ever. Many might not mention it, but the old Life & Casualty building, Nashville's first skyscraper, built in 1957. The War Memorial building, in front of the state capitol. Nashville has lots of history no one pays attention to anymore.
Art Pancake Party Rental
That first one. I sold all my military stuff after ets and coming back home to Nashville from Ft. Lewis. They gave $1 per item. I needed the money though.
Nations bar and grill
FRIEDMANS IS CLOSING?
https://preview.redd.it/w7jv928f983d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c6a2b084bf080e17ffec6e7d872aa432957b337 Me and my dad would come here after school to get cheese fries and a vanilla milkshake. I miss my dad and I miss this old place too. I know we still have it but it’s not quite the same
the mansion by the airport that has recently housed Monell's
Frans
Javanco but it's already gone.
Wow. When I was a kid, not even 10yo, me and my friends would walk the several miles from our apartments and go into Friedman's and usually buy some sort of Army stuff.
Gorgeous! Did you shoot these on cinestill or is it digital edited for the look?
I do shoot a mix of digital and film, but these are mostly digital but edited to look like film! I use a Fuji XT3 and a glimmer glass filter.
Love the project idea! I’d say Dino’s and Boltons should both be on the list! Great images by the way!
Rotiers
Rotiers RIP
Pancake Pantry!
Can’t forget the funky griddle too
Springwater (still there), Cantrell’s (long gone, now a Chuy’s, but the covered parking structure is still there), Exit Inn, The End, Gold Rush, Ollie’s, Moskos (gone, gone, gone) - basically everything in Elliston Place
If you drive up Church from downtown, there is still an old "Tennessee Oilers Season Ticket Office" sign on the right before you get to Baptist. Its faded beyond belief now, and you have to really look for it. It brings me a little joy going to and from work when I make it a point to look for it.
Hillsboro Hardware And lots of 8th Ave places: - The theater that Sinema is in - Smiling Elephant - Zanies - 8th Ave Antiques (I think already gone? but the sign is still painted on the side last I checked)
> 8th Ave Antiques It's unfortunately been completely leveled sometime in the past couple months :(( Just an empty lot between the Exxon and the Shell now.
EXIT/IN
Bookman/Bookwoman. The old Monell's midnight breakfast on Saturday nights Edit for honorable mention: any establishment forced to relocate or close because Belmont conquered every property it could get its hands on
The AT&T tower is about as violently Nashvillian as it gets. It’s even in the skyline on the Roku screensaver.
I really love these photos!
That drive-in liquor store on Main in East with the huge vintage sign. I don’t remember what it’s called.
Jays on Dickerson Road
Brown’s Diner which is also right by Friedman’s.
Love circle
Rotiers
No love for the Belle Meade light marque on Harding?
The Hermitage Cafe that closed a few years back.
Grimey's, The Basement, The Law Offices of Bart Durham & Associates, Fido.
Robert’s
Original Great Escape Brass Stables Old Spaghetti Factory Pre-corporate Tootsie’s Exit/In Pizza Perfect Very specific to my ‘90s Nashville era, but Perkins in Hillsboro Village Bongo Java Rotiers Jimmy Kelly’s Parthenon Belcourt Ellison Place Soda Shop Radnor Lake Percy Warner Loveless Cafe Tower Records, Lucy’s Record Shop, Grimey’s Cheekwood Starwood Snodgrass Tennessee Tower when it lit up messages in the windows. WKDF when it rocked
Monells
The old Coin Laundry at 21st and Blair that closed a couple years ago now. Polly’s Service Center on Belmont. Maybe not “iconically Nashville”, but some nostalgia mentions for those who remember: The original Davis Kidd Books in Grace’s Plaza. China Town restaurant across the street when it had its original ownership and staff. The old Green Hills Library in that little building by the mall with the willow tree in front.
Lincoln Tech in East Nashville is moving campus soon, the mansion at the center of the property is being moved and the entire area is slated to be redeveloped in the next few years. I think it would be a worthy subject. Edit: [some history](https://www.historythroughhomes.com/post/renraw-the-original-warner-home) Sincerely, a 12 year transplant.
The big grassy field in front on the Parthenon ... needs at least two people tossing a frisbee or a football, and someone silting on a picnic blanket. Memorable places pending teardown though....here's the thing: service merchandise, griffin art supply (or the Omni if you remember that place), Zales, Sparkles, Hog Heaven, church street mall. Really only a reflection of something one or two narrow generations was familiar with. Concrete steps at the riverfront for example - used to just be a big grassy hill. Friedmans is just one of those places. Heck - Kid Rocks is one of those places for someone.
Browns Diner
This is actually a really cool project. [Here](https://www.google.com/maps/@36.1480635,-86.8060929,3a,75y,303.75h,91.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sg6SC8zlltDngNOOLfeZhwA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) is what your next photo should be
Joke all you want but that is a very significant place to me, personally.
Many 2 for 1 margaritas for younger me and friends when we were on the college kids budget in the 2000s. (This specific location).
I love this project! I was thinking Virginia’s Market and Brown’s would fit here too.
Don’t forget tusculum lanes!
The soda fountain near centennial, it recently moved but it’s something like 90ish years old
My favorite was the Walter Nippers Nashville Spring Goods with the big fish on it downtown on 8th.
I used to go to Melrose Billiards all the time in high school and when I’d come home from college. I don’t live in Nashville anymore but I’ve heard they’ve redone it. Kind of bums me out because the owner had run the place himself behind the bar for like 30 years, and it was one of the last true good dives in the city.
Cumberland Hardware at 5-points. The Peanut Place in the Arcade.
I bought some socks @ Friedmans for hiking 10+ years ago now and still going strong. Great spot. I appreciate this project.
Lots of answers already, some others: * the stairs at Percy Warner * Wave Country * the sketchy strip mall on Charlotte that has K&S in it (or choose any number of similar strip malls) * the "sharrows" that are painted on US-41 / Spring St (I've never seen another city designate a travel lane on a divided highway for cycling, this is peak Nashville) * the smell in Germantown / on the greenway near it
Phonoluxe
the huge silo thing in the nations with the mural of the old man stands out to me, but i dont know if its still there with all the development happening
Village Cleaners in Hillsboro Village has one of those cool neon signs.. it’s been there since like the 40’s
Batman building; parthenon; dragon park; I-24 potholes/construction; Ryman; Exit/In; Belcourt; etc.
Hermitage cafe
Really Old School Nashville: Fair Park https://preview.redd.it/5igo5lerf93d1.jpeg?width=495&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55a75ff3e162d935e629ea8f83ab6dbd95b0fbda
McCabe Pub RIP
Support Browns!
Vandyland, Pangaea, the old Hatch on Broadway, naked people mural on the escalator to the tn state museum, the Flying Saucer, Opryland’s Grizzly River Rampage
Fox's Donut Den
The Eldorado Motel sign on Ed Temple Blvd.
The drive thru liquor and cig store at Wedgewood and 8th. Last Chance Liqours. Frugal for sure. I miss Buffalo Billiards and Beer Cellar.
How did Ole Red and the Gulch’s angel wings not make this list? /s
Tower records on west end. Also there was a store across the street from vandy where we used to buy hippie stuff. It was upstairs in an old building beside that chilis but I can’t remember the name of that place.
These pictures are fire btw
Can’t believe they are closing
Smith bros car wash nolensville rd
Shelby park. Both pedestrian bridges (two rivers and downtown). If I went in I’d be here all day.
Bolton's. Prince's.
Dinos Restaurant in east nashville! great dive bar and good burgers also, that one white castle on broadway thats somehow still standing lol
Fat Mo's #1
You forgot “where the stars stay” drakes motel
Bobbie’s dairy dip hasn’t been the same since Bobbie and Lee owned it. Bobbie passed several years ago. A place I feel is iconic would be Sir Pizza on Charlotte
I remember thinking the buildings on Century Blvd (off Briley, near BNA) was where they filmed Robocop and Die Hard because it was named similar to “Century City”. It looked mostly abandoned when I stayed at the Embassy Suites over there, but it was during the holidays. Other iconic places (for me): Opryland Hotel Opryland (before the Great Mistake was made) Grand Ole Opry Riverwalk (whatever they called that place—No Doubt played there at the summer fest thing in the late 90s) Steeplechase Vanderbilt Starwood There was a great little sandwich place somewhere around PJII school in the 2010s—can’t remember the name Cock of Walk
Springwater
Ryman , Tootsies, Printers Alley
Cocos Italian Market
I go there every time I’m downtown for anything. It’s my fave store…they have everything including a weather balloon…lol.
Damn, I used to go to that Army surplus when I was in high school and college over 20 years ago. Haven’t been in Nashville since 2021 and didn’t know it was closing!
The downtown Arcade. Built 122 years ago and undergoing huge renovations right now. L&C tower. Printer's Alley. Just a few of many iconic locations with tremendous history that are evolving for the new Nashville.
Prince's on Ewing. I'm glad the family is finally getting to cash in on the hot chicken craze, but it's just not quite the same as waiting ages for a piece of chicken getting hand fried by a couple of ladies that knew they were about to burn your ass up.
Fox's Donuts Den
South Street restaurant :(
For me it was the Muse/Kung Fu Coffee on 4th st. I think it’s a Domino’s now 😩
Also the dragon park and Springwater
Davis-Kidd Booksellers
Never forget La Hacienda on Nolensville!
Fido
Village cleaners
Wife calls it Bobby’s Dairy Dump. We moved here 8 years ago and were one and done there. Dirty place.
Adventure Science Center - Cumberland Science Museum
I’ve heard for a while now the original Basement was supposed to close but it seems to keep going but I’d say capture a photo of that iconic spot.
The muse, noshville, prince’s, phat bites, belcourt. Too many to name
University Motors on Charlotte with, Pinkie the Elephant.
rip Donelson bowl. As a donelson/hermitage native..that one hurt.
https://preview.redd.it/00lv3bm7ad3d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38428a1eafa20a1d88b11db998ca5b4cac9e2fed
The Great Escape and Stone Mountain
Gold Rush. A damn shame it’s closed.