While there are literally thousands of socially conscious organizations working in our Nashville, I wanted to briefly highlight just a few mission-minded Music City businesses—some whose whole operations are designed for doing good; others who weave generosity into larger business goals.

Check out the six businesses creating a more beautiful Nashville.

Read more

By: Lifestyle Communities

We opened our newest community in Nashville, LC Germantown, earlier this year, and when we first visited, I was blown away by the vibrant neighborhood. It’s absolutely full of amazing new restaurants, established local favorites, and some of the coolest specialty shops and boutiques in the city - and new things are popping up all the time.

Bordered by Rosa L. Parks Blvd. to the west, 2nd Avenue North to the east, and Hume and Jefferson Streets (north and south, respectively), Germantown is one of the more walkable areas of Nashville, and an ideal destination for a weekend spent exploring your own city. A few weeks ago, that’s exactly what we decided to do. Here are some of our favorites, all within walking distance. (Pro tip: you’re going to want to wear flats for this one.)

Peter Nappi
1308 Adams Street

If you’ve lived in Nashville for any amount of time, you likely already know of the meticulously crafted shoes by Peter Nappi. The brand launched in Nashville in 2011 on a foundation of craftsmanship, family tradition and timeless style, and man, do they deliver. Their studio showroom is right off Adams Street in a former industrial boiler room, and the airy and light-filled space is mesmerizing. Add to that the walls of handmade Italian leather boots, shoes, bags, and leather-goods and you have everything you need for an idyllic shopping trip. Honestly, it’s worth a visit just to experience the beauty (and the real leather smell) of the showroom. They’re really good at what they do.

Kuchnia + Keller
1300 3rd Avenue North

Kuchnia and Keller might be new to the scene, but don’t mistake their newness for inexperience. Since officially opening in Germantown in late 2017, the restaurant has been serving Eastern European-inspired dishes that have us wishing for seconds (or thirds). An impressive cocktail, wine and beer list certainly doesn’t hurt either, with the latter featuring local beers from Yazoo and Bearded Iris, and national players like Threes Brewing and 3 Floyds.

The interior has a great vibe, too, with large open seating areas that give it a community feel. Chef Aaron Clemins is a master at his craft, and a perfect representation of his talent lies in the beef goulash. Please, please order this when you visit. You will not be disappointed.

Alexis + Bolt
506 Monroe Street

You can easily spot this boutique thanks to the giant blue whale mural on the east side of the building, a stunning visual display by Ian Lawrence and Sterling Goller-Brown of Eastside Murals. The inside of the shop will impress you, too. Alexis + Bolt opened its doors in early 2017, offering a selection of men’s and women’s apparel, home goods and gifts in a charming home decorated with impeccable style. The adorable store pups roaming room-to-room certainly don’t hurt, either. It’s a great spot to stop in and grab a glass of wine or local beer and treat yourself to something new. You deserve it!

Bearded Iris
101 Van Buren Street

Speaking of beer, have you been to Bearded Iris, yet? This place is a must-visit. It has a really eclectic atmosphere with chandelier lighting, black and white checkered flooring, and lots of seating (bar stools and chairs). Plus, the taproom is kid-friendly and BYO food, and pets are allowed to hang outside with you on the patio. Bearded Iris, founded and operated by Kavon Togrye and Paul Vaughn, is perhaps best known for its Homestyle IPA, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a bad one on the list. If your taste buds can brave the Double IPAs, we highly recommend them.

Little’s Fish Company
1234 6th Avenue North

No neighborhood is complete without a local fresh market - this one just happens to specialize in fish and seafood. For over 60 years, Little’s Fish Company has been serving the Nashville area with fresh fish. It’s like one of those things you didn’t know was a necessity in your life until you had it, and now you can never go back. They have so many varieties (including wild game and specialty meats like alligator, frog legs, quail and rabbit), it’s hard to keep track, but you can always call ahead for special orders or to see what they have in stock.

Rolf and Daughters
700 Taylor Street

It’s fitting that the acronym for Krajeck’s restaurant is R.A.D., because that’s exactly how we would characterize his genius take on food. In all honesty, food isn’t even the right word to describe the American South-meets-Italy menu he presents. Krajeck spent the better part of his childhood in Belgium before attending a Swiss hotel-culinary school where he learned how to make pasta from the Italians working alongside him.

He opened Rolf and Daughters in a renovated loft building in late 2012, and the Nashville culinary scene hasn’t been the same since. His goal of serving dishes highlighting whole-animal butchery, seasonal produce, and rustic pastas is realized in a menu that you have to sample to believe. We recommend starting with the Cecamariti, cultured butter and black pepper pasta dish. You might just want to order two - for yourself. If you’re looking to try more from Krajeck, experience his new concept, Folk, in East Nashville.

Honorable Mentions:
While not technically located in Germantown, we just had to include the Farmers’ Market and Bicentennial Mall. You can reach both by foot from Germantown in a quick 15-minute walk, and they’re open nearly every day of the year. Gardens of Babylon is one of our favorite spots at the market, located at the south end of the Farm Sheds. So. Many. Plants. When you’re done spending all of your money on greenery, you can walk out to your right and down to the Bicentennial Mall. It’s so scenic and beautiful and arguably one of the best spots for people watching. Highly recommend.

So, what do you think are some other great spots in Germantown? Where should we go next? Feel free to share them with us by tagging @lifestylecommunities on Facebook or Instagram.

-------------------------

Britt is a Content Marketing Manager for Lifestyle Communities (LC), who enjoys sharing the stories of cities and neighborhoods. With communities throughout Columbus, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville - Germantown, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro and SoBro (coming soon) - LC is committed to bringing people together to form meaningful connections. It’s not about building apartments, restaurants, pools and gyms - it’s about building places for people to engage, to connect, and to be themselves. It’s about building a place to call home. Learn more at LifestyleCommunities.com or on Instagram, @lifestylecommunities.

--------------------------

Interested in writing a blog post for us? Click here for more information.

By: Aaron Hoke Doenges

I was a bit of a sneaker when I was a kid. On summer days, I would slide out the front door of my small town home and pedal my bike as quietly as I could across the yard. I wasn’t very good at it. The loose chain would smack against the metal guard every time I hit a root or a molehill, and let everyone know that I was off for an adventure. Sometimes I would just ride around the parking lot of the school down the road, but most days I was headed for the creek in the field with the little red bridge. It was a whole different world, refreshing from the summer heat, an endless supply of rocks for skipping, and teaming with alien life to find. I drifted away on warm days often, and it was here in the shallow waters of Delano Run that my love of water began.

In 2007, I arrived in Nashville with my keyboard and a couple of kayaks strapped to the top of my old jeep. The summer was hot, and it was time to leave the rolling hills of central Ohio for another sort of adventure in the south. I had come to study music in the graduate school at Belmont University. I was determined to find this city’s version of a little creek with a small red bridge while I was here, and I hoped to make some friends along the way. Fortunately, what I found was that this is a city that embraces all kinds of music, that Nashville and the surrounding area are rich with gracefully lazy currents in which to dangle my feet, and that there are good people working to ensure that our waterways stay healthy and steady for the future. There are some pretty great bridges around, too.

Wade [Music for River and People] (www.aaronhokedoenges.com/wade) is a project that grew out of my old love of the waters and music, and my desire to find people who are doing interesting, creative and environmental work. My first thoughts of working on a piece about the rivers in town came during the floods of 2010. Watching the waters churn from something loved into a serious threat made me want to artistically explore the relationship that we have with the waterways that flow through our neighborhoods. It’s a relationship that continues to become more and more complicated with the growth of the city, and the continued development taking place along so many of our streams and rivers.

Installing Wade on the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge is a dream come true for me, and I can’t think of a more appropriate location for the piece. There on the bridge, while listening to the river slowly ebb below, we can easily see the development happening on its banks. As a meditation on how our city affects the rivers that flow through and around it, the intersection of the Cumberland River and downtown Nashville – with the glitz of Lower Broad reflecting off the river’s surface and the construction cranes raising the city higher every day – provides an important visual reminder of the change that is happening and the work that we need to do to protect our waterways.

One of the reasons this project is so important to me is the partnership it has created. Wade is presented together with Rivive! Nashville (www.rivivenashville.org) - the waterway improvement branch of the Nashville Waterways Consortium. They are working to connect, educate, and work with the people of Davidson County to ensure the health and well-being of the area’s watersheds. I was first drawn to their organization because of the other public arts projects they have supported through their outreach efforts. Their contributions to the mural scene in Nashville have brought the life of the rivers to some pretty big walls in town. It’s a pretty innovative way to connect with a city, and the partnership for Wade was a natural fit. They are telling the stories of Nashville’s rivers, the ways that we impact them, and the things that we can do to ensure a beautiful coexistence. Wade [Music for River and People] allows the rivers to tell their own stories, and encourages people to feel their relationship with them.

Nobody understands the issues facing our rivers and streams more than the folks at Rivive! Nashville. Through their work, I have come to understand that just over 50% of Nashville’s area waterways are considered impaired, which means we may not be able to swim in them, let alone drink from them or eat the fish they offer. Considering the water that we drink, give to our pets, and use to grow our gardens comes from these sources, that statistic is a bit disconcerting.

Improving the health of our rivers seems like such a colossal matter when I think about it on an individual level, but together we can figure it out. So, what can you do to help? First, sneak down to the Seigenthaler Bridge to check out Wade [Music for River and People]. Be immersed in the sonic flow of Nashville’s rivers, listen to them tell their stories, and feel your impact as the music drifts along. Then, check out the One Degree Shift Pledge (http://www.onedegreepledge.com/) from Rivive! Nashville. The pledge is a collective impact project that encourages the people of Nashville to do one small thing that can have a huge impact on our rivers and streams. You can choose to become involved through activities with Rivive! itself, commit to taking care of your lawn a little differently, or you can simply plant a tree so that it will divert significant amounts of water into itself and out of the storm water system. Small things that we as individuals can do to have a big impact together. Along with contributing to Nashville’s amazing public arts scene, it’s one of my favorite things that Rivive! is doing.

---------------

Aaron Hoke Doenges (www.aaronhokedoenges.com) is a Nashville-based composer and sound artist. He is the creator of Wade [Music for River and People] – a data-drive interactive music experience installed on the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge through April 29. Wade translates real-time information about Nashville’s rivers into continuously evolving music that is changed when people move across the bridge. Wade [Music for River and People] is presented in partnership with Rivive! Nashville and is partially funded by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.

Bio photo: Kimberley Alexandria Day

By: Jess Rice

I have called Nashville home since 2010. I originally moved to Nashville for the same reasons most transplants do; I came to further my career in the music business as a publicist and artist manager. About 5 years ago, I found myself feeling pretty miserable sitting at my desk 9-5 every day, so I decided to completely ditch all that I had worked for and start completely fresh; I was sick of feeling overly stressed, anxious and lethargic at work. I wanted to learn everything there was to learn about health and wellness. I had started dabbling in the kitchen when I decided to adopt a raw vegan diet (Full speed ahead, right? No baby steps!) and hitting the gym every day. I discovered my true passion when I took this leap. Months later, I quit my day job and hopped on a plane to Indonesia, where I studied holistic nutrition and detox coaching with a Naturopath Doctor in Ubud. After completing her program, I decided to pursue a more structured culinary education with Matthew Kenney in Santa Monica, CA. I came back to Nashville and opened AVO about 2 years later. I sold AVO not too long ago and have since been working as a private plant-based chef in Nashville and on tour.

I was the keynote speaker at the very first Nashville VegFest 3 years ago and I am beyond excited to return this year! I will be speaking about my experiences as a private chef on tour and giving a knife skills demo at 10:30am on April 7^th, kicking off the festivities at the Nashville Fairgrounds!

My favorite part of Nashville VegFest, which drew an unanticipated crowd of over 4,000 people its first year, is visiting all of the vendor booths. You wouldn’t think there would be SO MANY options for people living a plant-based lifestyle in the deep fried South, but the restaurants, shops, products, and experts is endless at VegFest! I picked out a few of my absolute favorites to share with you on The Nashville Guide blog this year. 

KOKOS Vegan Ice Cream
You might already recognize KOKOS from Instagram (or People Magazine!) The expertly designed shop is located on Porter Rd. in East Nashville between The Terminal Café and PONY clothing store, part of the independently-spirited “Shops of Porter East” complex. KOKOS is Nashville’s first locally made, dairy free, 100% plant-based (AND nut free!) artisan ice cream company. They sell mouth watering “drumstick” cones and scoops every weekend, Friday through Sunday from 1pm – 4pm. 

“Holy Chocolate” is right!

They cover all of the classic flavors like coffee (Cuban dark roast), mint chip, vanilla cherry, “Holy Chocolate” and coconut chai. Every flavor is to die for. I dare you to bring any friend who is the toughest critic of special diets and #hashtags. I guarantee they won’t be able to tell it’s #vegan, #nutfree, and #healthy. Their grand opening is on April 14^th from 1-8-pm. Go visit them and tell them Jess and The Nashville Guide sent you. I can’t wait to visit their booth at VegFest and grab a chocolate-coated cone of goodness. Yes. PLEASE.

The Nashville Public Library
The Nashville Public Library is one of VegFest’s generous sponsors this year. The library does so much for our city and keeps a fully stocked cookbook section at all of their locations. If you’re curious about brushing up on your skills in the kitchen and trying some new healthy recipes, there’s a book for that! (In fact, there are hundreds of books for that. The catalogue and resources at the Nashville Public Library is beyond extensive!) 

The BeHive
The BeHive has been around for a while. If you have enjoyed the seitan sandwich at Mitchell Deli or tried any of the specials on the menu at The Wild Cow, or passed by the vegetarian section in the produce aisle at Whole Foods, you’ve experienced the wonders of The BeHive!

The BeHive strives to make plant-based eating easier and more accessible to our community through their products, special events and exquisite catering. They offer retail and wholesale items, and host monthly dinners that benefit the Nashville community. Curious about seitan? What is it anyway? The BeHive has the answers you seek:

Seitan is a plant-based protein made from wheat that dates back to the 6th century, when it was developed by Buddhist monks. Whole wheat flour is rinsed to extract gluten (the main protein of the wheat plant). This "vital wheat gluten" is then used as a base for a savory dough which is steamed or boiled. The result is a low-carb, high-protein food with a strikingly meat-like texture and flavor, suitable for use as a main course in all kinds of cuisine. 

I’m not too crazy about “meat substitutes,” (I’ll take a giant farmers market salad over mystery meat any day!) but The BeHive’s products are different. They are crazy flavorful, locally made, and are sure to please even the most discerning meat lover.  Find them at VegFest this year (and hopefully every year!) for a free sample.

Thanks for reading! If you’d like to chat with me more, come find me at VegFest, sign up for one of my upcoming cooking classes, or send me a message on Instagram. I love sharing veggie-friendly Nashville recommendations whenever I can!

----------------------------------

Jess is a professional chef in Nashville, TN. She is the former owner and creator of AVO, Nashville’s first raw vegan restaurant, located on Charlotte Avenue. Jess has worked as a private chef on tour with Neil Young and, most recently, made her Food Network debut alongside Trisha Yearwood on “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen,” teaching knife skills on the episode “Sharpen Up.” Jess is the keynote speaker at this year’s Nashville VegFest, happening on April 7^th at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Jess teaches plant-based cooking classes regularly around town, throws pop-up dinners, and works as a private chef on tour. For more information and to learn more about Jess’ work, visit ChefJessRice.com, find her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram @MyPoorTiredLiver. 

By: Isabel Storolis

It goes without saying that Nashville is growing and growing fast. It’s a beautiful thing to see the city blossoming before our eyes. There’s never a shortage of new places to shop and new restaurants to try. The beautiful thing about Nashville is even though we’re growing, some of the best spots from years ago are still thriving. I find myself trying new places, but always being drawn to the places I’ve always gone. If you’re feeling nostalgic or want to get a taste of old Nashville, here’s a list of some of my favorite Nashville spots that have been around for years, but haven’t lost their magic!

Hillsboro Village 
Fido
Fido is in Hillsboro Village which, in my opinion, is the original hip area of Nashville. Fido has been in the same spot serving the same great coffee for as long as I can remember. Throughout the years, Fido has kept up with demand and morphed from a small corner coffee shop into a monster hangout that takes up nearly a whole block. Sit down and have a delicious meal with your cup of coffee or if your’e on the run stop by Fetch, their new quick stop sister store, that’s right next door. I’m perfectly happy with black coffee but I love seeing the creativity that goes into creating their selection of seasonal drinks. Fall and winter specials have recently been released and they’re all delicious!


Photos: @fidonashville

Pangea
While you’re in the area pop on over to Pangea. My absolute favorite place to shop. It’s a cozy little store right across from Fido filled with colorful clothes, beautiful jewelry, and household goods. As you squeeze through the shelves you’ll find treasures from all over the world that will add a splash of color and excitement to your life. Don’t forget to go in the back next to the dressing rooms where you’ll find adorable gifts and clothes for little kiddos. Pangea is the best Christmas shopping spot because you’re sure to snag one of a kind gifts for everyone on your list. Just try to avoid keeping everything for yourself.


Photos: @izzycooksinsta

McDougal's
In my opinion, McDougals it’s better than any Nashville Hot Chicken spot. Gasp! I know...I said it. McDougals has been making the best chicken tenders for years and years and even though they changed management recently, you can still feel the love in every bit. You can choose to get your tenders or wings tossed in an assortment of house-made sauces with a side of some of my favorite fries on earth! Other than the food, you’re sure to be charmed by the decor. Everything from t-shirts to license plates, to toys adorn the walls to the point where you can’t even see the wall itself! Even though you’re going to be full to bursting after your chicken basket, don’t forget your free ice cream! Tip- If you’re gluten-free they have a gluten-free menu posted by the registrar.

Photos: @izzycooksinsta + @mcodugalschickennashville

Sylvan Park/The Nations
Great Escape Record Store
Great escape used to be in Midtown a long long time ago (I can still remember...), but it’s now on the ever-changing Charlotte Ave. One of my favorite things to do is go eat dinner then spend some time flipping through records. As you flip through records you might get lucky enough to find a hidden treasure, but half the fun is laughing at the cheesy cover art. The old location used to be more quaint, but the new location has more room and is still packed with awesome finds. Whether you're into records, video games, or comic books, you’ll find something to occupy your time. Dinner and an hour at the record store sounds like the perfect date to me! 

Photos: @izzycooksinsta + @thegreatescapemadison

Coco’s Italian Market
Coco’s Italian Market is one of those spots that you would never think to go into unless someone told you to. Well, consider this someone tell you to! Right when you walk in you’ll know why it’s been around for so long. The smell of authentic Italian food will instantly make your mouth water and your tummy growl. Coco’s has been around for almost 50 years and for good reason. You won’t find Italian food like this anywhere else in Nashville. While you’re waiting for your table you can browse through their market for anything from imported olive oil to pasta makers or play bocce ball. One more plus, they have gluten free pasta that’s so good it’ll make you question if they accidentally brought you the real stuff!

Photos: @izzycooksinsta + @cocositalianmarket 

Bobbies Dairy Dip
When you think about the classic burger and milkshake joint from back in the day, Bobbies is what you should envision. Since 1951 they’ve been serving perfectly delicious, greasy, not healthy at all, burgers with a side of fries and a milkshake. I’m all about a healthy lifestyle, but sometimes after a hot summer day at the pool, you just need a good old fashion burger!

Photos: @izzycooksinsta + @abbydemmer

West End
Samurai Sushi
This is another one of those hole in the wall spots that you might drive by every day and never notice. But, if you’re a true Nashvillian and someone asks you where they can get the best sushi in town, this should be your answer. Nestled in a tiny building on Elliston Pl, the environment and service are no frills, but what they lack in fanciness they make up for with the sushi. You can choose from many classic rolls or get wild and try some of their signature rolls such as the Choo Choo roll filled with salmon, crab, eel, avocado, cream cheese, and topped with nut and eel sauce and strawberries. Sounds like it couldn’t possibly be good, but you’re just going to have to trust me and try it for yourself.

Photos: @izzycooksinsta

Exit Inn
Exit Inn has been a Music City staple since 1971. Any given night you can hear music of all different genres from Reggae to Screamo. You’ll love this venue because it’s small and you’ll feel more connected with the musicians. Whether you're in the mood for a chill indie band or you want to party in a mosh pit, you’ll find what you’re looking for on their event calendar.

Photos: @izzycooksinsta + @exit_in

East Nashville
Wonders on Woodland
If you’re into antique shopping, this is absolutely the best curated shop in Nashville. The owners have a knack for picking out the best of the best and keeping new things coming through the door all the time. They have the perfect assortment of furniture, home decor, and jewelry from centuries past. My favorite finds include our beautiful mid-century modern credenza, a matching silver necklace and bracelet, and a psychedelic poster from the 60’s. The hours aren’t very consistent and they’re usually only open on the weekends. If you have a long drive to get there, be sure to call before you make the trip. Happy hunting!

Photos: @izzycooksinsta

The Five Spot
This little bar and dance club will satiate anyone's nostalgic side. Their event calendar has everything from 80’s nights, to classic country shows, to (my personal favorite) swing dancing. Every Monday night at 8 pm you can go take advantage of their awesome Monday night drink specials while watching or participating in the exciting art of swing dancing. It doesn’t matter if you a swing dancing expert or if you have two left feet. You’ll have a blast! 

Photos: @izzycooksinsta + @the5spotnashville

Dino’s
We can’t talk about old school Nashville without putting Dino’s on the list! Even though it’s had a bit of an overhaul in recent years, it’s Nashville's oldest surviving dive bar, and despite the facelift, it still feels the same. The food is delicious, the drinks are refreshing, and there’re board games. I mean, it really doesn’t get any better than that.

Photos: @dinosnashville

--------------------------

Isabel Storolis is a nurse by day and a passionate home cook and blogger by night. If you can’t find her in the kitchen she’s out and about exploring Nashville! Follow her love for creating healthy comfort foods and her Nashville adventures on Instagram @izzycooksinsta or visit izzycooks.com.

Want to write a blog post for us? Here's more information.