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The Factory at Franklin undergoes development

A rendering of the updates coming to the exterior of the Factory at Franklin

This rendering depicts the outdoor seating area + iconic red water tower. | Rendering via Centric

Today, we’re traveling from the past to the future of the Factory at Franklin as it undergoes an approximately year-long redevelopment project.

The Past

The factory was built in 1929 and served as the home of Dortch Stoveworks, Magic Chef, and the Jamison Bedding Company. By 1996, developer Calvin Lehew purchased the property with the vision of a retail and entertainment complex. The landmark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, and guests can see much of its original architecture preserved throughout the space.

The Present

The Factory at Franklin houses as many as 18+ vendors offering collectibles, home decor, and various classes. Dining includes grab-and-go coffee and juice retailers, sweet treat shops like Jeni’s + Five Daughter’s Bakery, in addition to sit-down bites from Mojo’s Tacos or Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria.

Catch a live show at The Mockingbird Theater, stock up on produce weekly at the Franklin Farmers Market, and mark your calendars for other events coming to the venue like the Made South Holiday Market (Friday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Nov. 19) + Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival (Friday, Dec. 2).

A rendering of the Factory at Franklin's Grand Hall renovation with the new bar as the focal point — This rendering depicts the Grand Hall’s new bar. | Rendering via Centric

The Future

The property changed ownership last year when it sold to Holladay Properties for $56 million, and the new owners began reimagining the space for additional retail + interior and exterior updates. Here’s a snapshot of what the plan entails:

Grand Hall

Updates to the Grand Hall began in June with a projected completion in early 2023. Renderings outline a new Factory bar as the focal point. The design showcases the penny tile flooring with a new logo and the glass mimics the property’s original glass windowpanes. The old mixes with the new, highlighting greenery and luxe, modern furnishings.

Outdoor gathering

Painting began the last week of October to restore the trademark 75,000-gallon water tower from its green color back to the beloved rusty red. Additional renderings suggest the area surrounding the tower will be opened up to create a park-like atmosphere with green space, a new patio, and seating area.

New tenants

New businesses opening up shop inside include Two Hands (coastal, Australian fare), Greys Fine Cheese (curated cheese and charcuterie), Blue Flowers Store (footwear, skate, and streetwear apparel) + Diakonia (tech company). Favorites like Franklin Juice Company, Honest Coffee, Fork of the South, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Five Daughters Bakery, and Third Coast Clay will expand and relocate to new spaces.

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Today, November 2

Silent Book Club | Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 6 p.m. | Graduate Nashville, 101 20th Ave. N. | Free | Bring a book, grab a cocktail, and settle in for an afternoon of reading with friends.

Thursday, November 3

Immersive King Tut | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 2 p.m. + 3 p.m.| Lighthouse ArtSpace, 4416 Ridgefield Way | $30 | The immersive experience takes you on a mythical journey through the Egyptian afterlife.
Kylie Morgan “Songs to Say I Do” release party | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 6-8 p.m. | David’s Bridal Cool Springs, 1728 Galleria Blvd., Ste. 101, Franklin | Free | Country artist Kylie Morgan will perform songs from her new 5-track EP, “Songs to Say I Do.”

Friday, November 4

The Family Center’s Crafting Change | Friday, Nov. 4 | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Ave. | $100 | The event will include shopping from 20 local artisans and honors for this year’s changemakers over lunch.
Live in Studio A | Friday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 13 | The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet, 3630 Redmon St. | $70 | Experience “The Four Temperaments,” set to the music of Antonio Vivaldi, plus, the world-premiere of a brand new piece by Associate Artistic Director Nick Mullikin.

Saturday, November 5

Chestnut Street Concert Series | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 6-9 p.m. | The Outfield, 416 Chestnut St. | Free | The last show of the series features performances by TWEN, Mount Worcester, and The Kentucky Gentlemen.
Songwriter Session: Lee Starr | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 12-12:45 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 5th Ave. | Free+ | Hear from the songwriter and producer who co-wrote Elvie Shane’s debut single, “My Boy.”

Sunday, November 6

Nashville Harvest Festival | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 11 a.m. | City Winery, 609 Lafayette St.| $15+ | Head to the winery for a day of culinary tastings, wine and music pairings + live performances.

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.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

74º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain

Announced

Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, and Reba McEntire are just a few of the 15+ additional performers announced for the 56th Annual CMA Awards, which broadcasts live from Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
FanDuel Bracket City Live is making a three-day stop in Nashville (Thursday, March 16-Saturday March 18). The free, Lower Broadway event will center around basketball and music with performances across two stages and basketball fan experiences. 🏀

Concert

Don’t “Wouldve, Could’ve, Should’ve” made it Taylor Swift’s newly announced “The Eras” tour. The star will perform at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, May 6 and presale ticket registration closes Wednesday, Nov. 9. Special guests Phoebe Bridgers and GAYLE will join the Nashville show.
Billy Strings is bringing his music back to Nashville with two nights at Bridgestone Arena (Friday, Feb. 24-Saturday, Feb. 25) + a performance at Ryman Auditorium on Sunday, Feb. 26. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. 🎙️

Sports

Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar has been recognized as the 2022 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player. The soccer star led MLS with 34 goal contributions this year, tying for fifth most in a single season in league history. (WSMV)

Community

Centennial Park has entered Phase 3 of its revitalization project. Phases 1 and 2 added improvements to the West End Avenue side + the Great Lawn. Phase 3 focuses on the Park Plaza side, including the construction of a new pavilion on Lake Watauga. 🌳 (Main Street Nashville)

Biz

Franklin-based Landmark Recovery is expanding its Cool Springs headquarters to the tune of $7.5 million. The growth of the addiction treatment center is expected to create 1,300 new jobs. (Nashville Post)

DYK

Did you know you can share your Black Friday deals with our NASHtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Friday, Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Shop

The holiday season is just around the corner and we have the perfect wine chiller to keep your bottle of sparkly cool when hosting guests. Not only is it stainless steel and vacuum insulated, but its three different styles — teakwood, black marble, and calacatta gold — are sure to pop against your holiday decor. 🍾*

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Nashville, are you ready to rock?

Ryman Auditorium unveils Rock Hall at the Ryman exhibit

Artifacts in a case at Ryman Auditorium with markers honoring Taylor Hawkins, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell

This artifact case honors hall of famers Taylor Hawkins, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young | Photo by NASHtoday

“Walk This Way” if you’ve got a “Whole Lotta Love” for rock ‘n’ roll. The Ryman Auditorium officially opened its newest exhibit, Rock Hall at the Ryman today, Nov. 2. The exhibit is unveiled in partnership with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame + follows the music venue’s recognition as the 12th Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark earlier this year.

Over 100 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees who have performed at the Mother Church throughout its 130 years are honored throughout the exhibit — which is located in the venue’s 5th Avenue vestibule and included with every tour ticket purchase.

What you’ll see

The exhibit features a number of legends like James Brown, the Foo Fighters, Eric Clapton, and The Byrds — in addition to more traditional country music greats like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. Some artifacts to keep your eyes peeled for include:

🎸 Elvis Presley’s full-length coat worn in 1970
🎸 Taylor Hawkins’ outfit worn to induct Rush into the Rock Hall in 2013
🎸 Joan Jett’s red bra halter worn on on the 2006 Warped Tour
🎸 A Shure microphone used by The Who’s Roger Daltrey

Special dates to note

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Skylar.

Editor’s pick: In case you missed it, Two Hands will additionally open another Middle Tennessee location this month in the newly constructed Paseo South Gulch development. Read more about it + see renderings here. 🍴

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Gear up for the holidays with these local businesses offering dine-in and carry-out meals.

Connect with us.

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

Sales: Sarah Edwards | Advertise with us.

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