The Death Of Local Nashville

Isn’t it ironic that our airport is flush with Nashville-based restaurants and bars while every decent neighborhood spot in the city is being devoured by private equity and corporations?

As a 12 South resident, I see this more than most as my neighborhood is completely unrecognizable after three years of living on this street. My favorite bar in town, Embers Ski Lodge, is marked for death and becoming a Victoria’s Secret.

12 South Tap, Mafioza’s, Portland Brew, and Burger Up are long gone. You know it’s bad that putting a fucking Mother’s Ruin on 12 South is now a good thing because at least it’s not corporate slop like La La Land.

Our city, and entire state (country) for that matter, has been bending over for big business for as long as I can remember. Giving Elon his tunnel, the new Nissan Stadium deal, and banning THCA on behalf of big alcohol are all reasons we shouldn’t be surprised by what’s happening to Nashville on the street level, but it is still a tough pill to swallow no matter what. For me, an impossible one.

Is this really what people want? To quote a friend, does everyone want Nashville to fully turn into “Midwest LA”? If every major city in our country has the same restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, then why even travel?

Food is one of the main cultural ways for one region to differentiate itself from another. I know many of you are Anthony Bourdain fans, like I am. Have you ever seen him travel somewhere to eat at a Craig’s or Nobu?

Cuisine aside, I’m puzzled why so many people pretend to champion and care about independent businesses and yet still financially support this corporate land reclamation.

While there are some local business owners that could afford to stay and are simply selling out (looking at you Embers), most simply have no choice due to the insane rent hikes.

As mentioned previously, our state and the politicians who run it are perpetually submissive to corporations and will never curb the insane costs being put on local businesses to exist via legislation.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do about this as individuals on the ground level. The good news is that one of the few ways we can make an impact is by actually going to local establishments and enjoying their food and drinks.

Just like climate change, the responsibility shouldn’t fall on the consumer and the blame should fall almost entirely on corporations. But alas, here we are. Maybe rather than going to La La Land, how about you swing by Sam and Zoe’s instead?