Country music greats, Christian music recording artists and movie stars have discovered Franklin, TN right outside of Nashville, and you will want to find it for yourself. You may (or may not) actually spot a celebrity during your visit, but uniqueness abounds both in restaurants and in shops. And, the rolling hills and gorgeous scenery will lure you back again and again. Whether you are coming to town for the large Farmer’s Market on Saturdays at The Factory or for the many festivals held on Main Street throughout the year, the people of Franklin are great hosts, and you’ll enjoy spending time in their city.
The shops of Main Street
If you are shopping for boutique clothing and accessories, toys, collectibles or spices, Main Street in Franklin, TN is likely to provide plenty to capture your interest.
Savory Spice Shop actually encourages visitors to smell and taste various spices. Their products are both local and exotic. If you have tried in vain to find a recipe ingredient in your favorite grocery store, then maybe you will have better luck here. This is the place to find fresh vanilla beans, cinnamon and chiles, along with handcrafted salts and fresh ground paprika and pepper, just to name a small sampling.
Inspirations on Main has a selection of eclectic jewelry and home decor items. Heyday sells books, games and clothing among its other unique items. Patchwork Pantry has many products with a homespun theme, and The Heirloom Shop has lots of collectibles, particularly a large choice of Christmas ornaments. Main Street Toy Company carries both vintage and trendy games for young and old. And these are just some of the shops on one side of the street!
Good eats on Main Street
If you want to please children and grandchildren, there is a Mellow Mushroom franchise near the Main Street roundabout and a Sweet Cece’s about 3 blocks further down at the five-way intersection. What could make a kid happier than pizza and ice cream with toppings?
For more adult fare, two of the most famous are Merridee’s Breadbasket & Restaurant and Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant. Both are very casual, with Merridee’s featuring sandwiches and pastries and Puckett’s offering country cooking style meats and vegetables.
GRAY’s on Main, Puckett’s Boat House, The Red Pony and 55 Main are more upscale and also within close proximity.
The Factory
The Factory, at 230 Franklin Road, is very popular on summer Saturdays when farmers from all around bring in their fresh produce. Locally grown vegetables and fruits make for wildly colorful displays. Canned goods, such as chow-chows (usually made with pickled cabbage but can sometimes be a combination of pickled vegetables), relishes, pickles and honey are also for sale. Get there early for the best selection.
A very popular activity inside The Factory is watching various artists at work. DeAnn, Streater Spencer, Katy Johnson and Stonebridge have galleries and studios to enjoy, plus other retailers with their wares displayed beckon you inside.
The Factory is large enough to house a number of entertainment venues, and it maintains a full calendar of talented musicians and comedians.
Lyrics and Saffire are two rather fancy restaurants inside The Factory, but you can also find Franklin Juice Company, Gulf Pride Seafood, Five Daughters Bakery and Honest Coffee Roasters.
The Factory is a fun place to park once and spend a few hours by yourself or with friends.
Quirky and iconic finds just down the road
Leiper’s Fork, located on Old Hillsboro Road outside of Franklin, is anchored on one end by yet another version of Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant with The Country Boy Cafe across the street. Then, down both sides of the street for a couple of blocks, you’ll find unconventional shops with varied specialties. West and Company carries lots of leather goods, fashion accessories and home decor items. Leiper’s Fork Gallery and Sugar — A Bakery Cafe both live up to their names. Then, the sign outside Serenite Maison simply states — “Antiques. Mercantile. Soul.” Where else could you buy boots, guitars and chandeliers in one location?
The population of Leiper’s Fork is a mere 650, but it swells in size with shoppers looking for uncommon merchandise and with music lovers coming to Open Mic Night at Puckett’s.
For every retail chain and restaurant you can imagine, visit Cool Springs Galleria and the blocks of stores surrounding it. The exit is in plain sight right off I-65 south of Nashville. But if you are looking for unusual items or distinctive menus, explore the quirkier places in Franklin and nearby Leiper’s Fork.
Franklin's most distinctive festival
Franklin hosts many festivals throughout the year, but Dickens of a Christmas in Downtown Franklin is possibly Middle Tennessee’s most popular festival. You will feel as if you’ve stepped back into the days of Charles Dickens with 100 or more costumed characters roaming the streets, dozens of vendors, the stores decorated in their finest holiday looks and numerous street performers. Some will be playing handbells, water glasses and fiddles while others will sing popular, country, seasonal and gospel music. This year Dickens of a Christmas will take place between December 10-11, 2016. Arrive early, get a good parking place, and enjoy the festivities.
Visitors will be justifiably impressed with the economic boom and energy happening in Franklin, TN and maybe, just maybe, they will be lucky enough to rub elbows with someone famous. After all, they have to shop and eat just like the rest of us.
Franklin stands on its own
The City of Nashville has long been famous for country music, the Grand Ole Opry, Vanderbilt University and its massive medical facilities. More recently, the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League have brought recognition to the city. But now, Franklin has emerged as a destination all on its own, making it unnecessary to travel into the traffic grids of Tennessee’s capital.
Williamson County Schools, which include the residents of Franklin and their nearest neighbors, have topnotch reputations, so young families are buying homes in areas where their children will be eligible to attend those fine schools. In a recent report, Franklin was listed as the 14th fastest growing city in the nation.
Come and see what all the buzz is about. Listen to the music, eat delicious food and add something special to your shopping bag. The merchants of Franklin will be happy to see you.
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