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Neighborhood Guide: Hillsboro-West End

The mosaic dragon sculpture at Fannie Mae Dees Park has become the neighborhood mascot. | Photo by NASHtoday

When you head to Hillsboro-West End, you’re visiting a vibrant and historic neighborhood three miles southwest of downtown. Whether you know the area for its scenic views atop Love Circle or for the films that screen at The Belcourt Theatre, there’s a lot to love about this charming community. If you haven’t explored in a while, it might be time to rediscover why so many people — maybe even you — enjoy calling it home.

Need to know

According to Walk Score, Hillsboro-West End is a fairly walkable and bikeable neighborhood, with access to coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques in the bustling Hillsboro Village business district. The neighborhood — bounded by Hillsboro Pike to the east and West End Avenue to the west — is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is in close proximity to Vanderbilt and Belmont universities.

The Hillsboro Village strip in the mid-1960s.

The early days

This former streetcar neighborhood was developed on farmland beginning in the late 19th century, with most homes built between 1910-1935. This brought a variety of architectural styles to the area, like bungalow, Tudor rival, and English cottage, and many homes retain much of their original design and character. The neighborhood’s business district started taking shape in the early 1920s with grocery stores, theaters, and mom-and-pop businesses.

The Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association, which formed in 1975 and organizes annual events to celebrate the community, published a 109-page book in 1992 full of neighborhood history, photos, and architectural designs.

Can’t miss

Running low on time? A trip to Hillsboro Village isn’t complete without a stroll through the neighborhood. Start your walk by grabbing a latte from Fido, Barista Parlor, or Anzie Blue as you make your way to Fannie Mae Dees Park (also known as Dragon Park, and you can see why). If you have a couple hours to spare, be sure to bookmark what’s playing at the Belcourt.

SHOPS, RESTAURANTS + MORE

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Today

Music and Movement at Church Street Park | Wed., Sept. 14 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Main Library + Church Street Park | Free | Join the librarians for a music and movement storytime that’s sure to get the whole family dancing.
Plaza Mariachi Night Market | Wed., Sept. 14 | 4-9 p.m. | Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk. | Cost of purchase | Enjoy an evening of food, shopping, live music, and salsa dancing. 💃

Thursday

4th Annual Martin’s Bar-B-Que Americana Review | Thurs., Sept. 15-Sat., Sept. 17 | Times vary | Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, 410 4th Ave. S. | Free | Tonight’s lineup features Harry Foxton, Boo Ray, Bobby Dove, November Blue, and James Carothers.

Friday

Conversation and Performance: The Black Opry | Fri., Sept. 16 | 12-1:15 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum | Cost of admission | Black Opry founder Holly G and the Kentucky Gentlemen, Nikki Morgan, Aaron Vance, and Julie Williams will discuss the creation and expansion of the Black Opry + perform.
“Rent” | Fri., Sept. 16-Sun., Sept. 25 | Times vary | TPAC, James K. Polk Theater | $50+ | See Nashville Rep’s production of this iconic musical about young artists struggling through life in Lower Manhattan’s East Village.

Saturday

Nashville Food Faire | Sat., Sept. 17 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | oneC1TY Nashville | Cost of purchase | Shop from 50+ local vendors selling provisions like infused olive oils, handmade pastas, hot sauces, and jams.
Sunset Safari | Sat., Sept. 17 | 7-11 p.m. | Nashville Zoo at Grassmere | $175+ | The zoo’s annual fundraising event features live entertainment, special animal hosts + food and drinks. 🦁

Sunday

Ben Platt | Sun., Sept. 18 | 8 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $41+ | The “Dear Evan Hansen” star will be joined by Aly & AJ.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Wellness

Put back in what you’re sweatin’ out 💦

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To perform at your mental + physical best every day, proper hydration is key. Unfortunately, most electrolyte drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients (read: stuff you don’t want in your body).

Enter: LMNT, a drink that replaces essential electrolytes without sugar, coloring, gluten, artificial ingredients or other junk. LMNT tastes great, too — you can even use it as a cocktail mixer. (Hello, weekend hydration.)

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Weather

84º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

Coming Soon

A neighborhood cafe and bar called Common Ground Nashville is slated to open in West Nashville — 4001A Charlotte Ave. While an opening date has not been announced, you can get a sneak peek of its cocktail, lunch + dinner menus via its website. (Nashville Business Journal)

Closed

Midtown gastropub Tavern is permanently closed after more than a decade in business. All team members have accepted opportunities at Saint Añejo, according to the social media post announcing the closure.

Open

Small World Yoga recently opened a studio in Edgehill — 1119 12th Ave. S. The nonprofit is celebrating with a free, family-friendly grand opening event tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. and all classes will be free that day. View the class schedule. (Tennessee Tribune)
TailGate Brewery Hendersonville (248 Sanders Ferry Rd.) is soft opening with 22 beers, pizza, and loaded fries on the menu. As a reminder, the brewery plans to open in phases, with the 8,000-sqft taproom + the lagerhaus production site completely built out by spring 2023. 🍺
Memphis-founded med spa SkinBody Nashville is now open in West End — 2910 Poston Ave. The 3,000-sqft location features seven treatment rooms, a skincare consult room, and a glam room. SkinBody will host a grand opening on Wed., Sept. 28.

Pets

Cause it’s Backstreet’s pups, alright. Last week, the Backstreet Boys visited the Nashville Humane Association for a photo shoot with a litter of ~9-10-week-old shepherd mix puppies. Some of the dogs — named after members of the boy band — are available for adoption. 🐶

Eat

Mediterranean-inspired eatery Sadie’s will feature a special Rosh Hashanah menu in celebration of the upcoming holiday. The three-course meal is $42 per person + to-go orders must be purchased by Fri., Sept. 23 for pick-up through Sun., Sept. 25.

Plan Ahead

This should drum up some excitement. The musical theater troupe Blue Man Group is coming to Music City early next year, making a pit stop at TPAC on Tues., Jan. 24-Thurs., Jan. 26. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.

Number

35,742. That’s the record-breaking number of passengers that departed from Nashville International Airport on Sunday. ✈️

Drink

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Clarification

Details comin’ in hotter than a biscuit. Yesterday, we shared news of a new Willy Wonka-inspired scavenger hunt The Loveless Cafe is kicking off Fri., Sept. 16. To clarify, the gift cards redeemable with a golden ticket are good for up to $150. You will also find golden tickets on the bottom of the Loveless Cafe biscuit mixes at participating retailers.

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Business will soon be booming at a new South Nashville development

Indian street food restaurant EggHolic opening in South Nashville

EggHolic is the first storefront to appear at the new development. | Photo by NASHtoday

Egg-cellent news. 🍳 The mixed-use development at the corner of Nolensville Pike + Harding Place is nearing completion, and we spotted what appears to be one of the first tenants coming soon.

EggHolic — located at 412 Harding Pl. — will serve egg-based dishes + curries, sandwiches, and Indian street foods. While this seems to be the first Tennessee location, there are a handful of restaurants around the US. Stay tuned for the opening date.

No other tenants have been formally announced for the development, but permit data hints that Steam Boys and Inflair Boutique are among businesses planning to open locations.

THE WRAP

Today’s edition was written by Dylan.

Editor’s pick: Just like the pups named after members of the Backstreet Boys at the Nashville Humane Association, the animal shelter has two other pups with celeb namesakes: Hall and Oates. They’ll make your dreams come true.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here are 29 places to volunteer in Music City.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Dylan Aycock, Skylar Webb, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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