By Nancy Vienneau
BEYOND THE CITY LIMITS: DESTINATION DINING THAT’S WORTH THE DRIVE
Head outside of Nashville in any direction and you’ll see jaw-dropping development, with residential growth outpacing retail and hospitality. And, as the market has tightened in Nashville, affording fewer options at much higher cost, local entrepreneurs see promise outside the city limits. Folks living in outlying communities would enjoy dining in an independent restaurant over a chain, especially if they didn’t have to drive back into the city to do so.
Austin Ray has been excited to take the lead on this trend. Wanting to bring a neighborhood-style pub to these growing communities, he opened M.L.Rose in Mt. Juliet in 2021, and its reception has exceeded his expectations. Up next, he plans to open the local burger-and-beer favorite in Murfreesboro later this year. “As a Nashville native, I feel driven to maintain the spirit of our local hospitality,” Ray says. “We believe that great beer makes for great neighbors. It’s good to have a local spot to relax and enjoy a brew with the people we most care about.”
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