Boxwood's Shop-Local Guide to Nashville

Over 30 retailers, restaraunts and shopping districts listed. Mostly positive opinions about what I love in these Nashville stores. Links to their websites and address to their stores to show your support in our local community! Nashville is one of the most creative cities in the US (actual statistics from Homes.com). Because we are surrounded by such brilliant creatives and entrepreneurs, it’s no surprise that our list of local places to shop this weekend is so extensive.

BRICK AND MORTAR RETAILERS

Parnassus Books - Author Ann Patchett’s cozy local bookstore. Parnassus is located at 3900 Hillsboro, known as Greenbriar Shopping Center, where you’ll find other local favorites and the best donuts in Nashville I will fight you at Fox’s Donut Den.

Bella Vita - Fresh out of Memphis and New to Nashville, Bella Vita is delivering top notch home goods, cozy jammies and sweaters, and an amazing selection for wedding registry items. I’ve had the good fortune to meet the owners recently, and they are a fantastic addition to Nashville. You’ll find Bella Vita across from Bandywood Plaza at 2205 Bandywood Drive in Green Hills.

Hey Mavens - Lingerie, Gifts, and some apparel. FOR ALL. Their inclusive sizing never ceases to amaze. Hey Mavens could also qualify for local online retailer, I’ve honestly ever bought straight out of their instagram sales!

Apple and Oak in East Nashville has an endless array of gifts, home goods, cards, vintage and new rugs. Their inventory is absolutely delightful, and freshly stocked. You can find Hey Mavens & Apple and Oak in the Porter Rd shops at 727 and 717 Porter Rd, respectively.

Cumberland Transit is a Nashville Staple. “Nashvilles’ Oldest Outdoor and Bike Shop” carrying favorites for activities like Camping, Climbing, Fishing, Biking and more. Cumberland Transit still sits on West End near Vanderbilt University at 2807 West End Ave

Starland Vintage & Unusual Formerly Pre- to Post-Modern on 8th Ave, this shop is a Melrose Staple. Especially fun to shop during the holidays for vintage Santa blow-molds and other holiday themed delights. You’ll find Starland in 2110 8th Ave South.

Vinnie Louise is a Nashville based Boutique. The female owned business has a fantastic selection of affordable boutique clothing choices for women. They have two locations in Nashville on either side of the river! One location in 12th South and one on Gallatin in East.

Music City Golf for the the golfer in your life. In my life I’m the only non-golfer, but my family loves this store. Conveniently located in Belle Meade Plaza 5133 Harding Pike

Thistle Farms Total wiff if you’ve been in Nashville a while and don’t know about Thistle Farms! First of all, the cafe, is out of this world. Always a filling meal and good coffee. Their retail lines are developed and produced through their social enterprise program providing housing and community for women coming out of prostitution and sex exploitation. Retail includes oils, bath and body, apparel and more. You absolutely should shop in person, and grab a coffee this Saturday.

If you think I missed your favorite stops, check the Shopping Districts section below to make sure I covered all the bases!

ONLINE RETAILERS & MAKERS

N.B. Goods Hats, Pins, Pennants and more - oh my! You can also request custom orders. Nashville based with Nashville flair on many items. Brilliant for stocking stuffers.

Brownlee Luxury Terry clothing. Small batches and sustainably sourced, these terry garments feel great, and definitely can be worn outside the house. Totally fine if you want to be a lush around the house in them this holiday season, though.

Woven Together Handmade jewelry and “other fun things” out of Nashville. Their collections are fresh, innovative, and stylish in a most delightful way! Currently looking to add the “Nashville Dangles” to my shopping cart.

Nisolo A fashion retailer based in Nashville that is making huge strides to make consumers aware of the environmental impact of fashion. We can have fashion and not kill the planet at the same time, who knew. See their Sustainability Statement then uplift your wardrobe.

Daybreak Arts while you can shop in person on Studio days (highly recommend), you can browse online and support a local non-profit from the comfort of your office chair on Cyber Monday. We have partnered with Daybreak Arts a few times over the years, and had the opportunity to participate and get to know the artists. For the Art-Lover in your life, there is no gallery that can compete with the level of Social Impact and Joy that Daybreak provides for Artists and Patrons.

SHOPPING DISTRICTS

L&L Market - Located at 3820 Charlotte Ave, you’ll find more local shops and eateries here. Favorites include Happily Grey, Daphne, and This is the Finale featuring private shopping events - Shop with a Drag Queen. Absolutely, yes, sign me up.

Fatherland District A great retail hub in East Nashville (1006 Fatherland St) includes retailers and snacks! Don’t miss The Gift Horse, Guerilla Bizkits (vegan!), and Tenn Gallon Hat.

12th South - Just find a place to park and you’ll be set for the day. Some hyper local stops include coffee at Frothy, Imogene + Willie, Savant Vintage and more. You’ll also find brand name faves like Madewell, Marine Layer, and the Krewe permanent-pop-up trailer.

Hillsboro Village - another walkable district filled with local and brand names. Your coffee and snack stop here is absolutely Fido, For Shopping: The Impeccable Pig, Rebecca James Clothing, and UAL, fashion liquidators.

Downtown Franklin is my Black Friday Tradition. There’s a Frothy Monkey here too! Olivia Olive Oil with an extensive selection, Rock Paper Scissors, Hester & Cook, are my regular stops for stocking stuffers.

What did we miss? Tell us in the comments!

Nine Must DO Holiday Pop-ups and Festive Activities in Nashville this Season


Holiday Pop-Ups


Union Station seems tailor-made for the enchanting Harry Potter-themed 9 3⁄4 pop-up experience. This holiday season, the hotel lobby is transformed with the grandeur of Hogwarts house banners, floating candles, a secretive golden snitch, owls, and an iconic luggage cart. The pop-up menu is a wizarding delight, featuring cocktails and bites inspired by the beloved series, such as the Goblet of Fire, the mystical Dark Magic, and a delectable Two Brooms burger. Immerse yourself in the magic of this enchanting world at Union Station. The pop-up runs through December 29 and opens at 1 p.m. daily.


In the heart of East Nashville, Jane's Hideaways invites you to join the fourth annual Candy Cane Jane's holiday pop-up. This cute pop-up has a delightful Christmas ambiance and a menu brimming with seasonal delights. Savor the flavors of the season with Jane's Holiday Meatballs, infused with cranberry, ginger, goat cheese, and a tantalizing strawberry barbecue sauce. Create your own gingerbread masterpiece with a Build-Your-Own-Gingerbread station, complete with frosting, sprinkles, and a variety of candies. And for those seeking a warm and festive sip, indulge in spiked hot chocolate. Candy Cane Jane’s will run until January 1, seven days a week from 5 p.m.- 1 a.m.

In Layer Cake's Cherry Lounge, you can find the enchanting world of Santa Baby: A Mrs. Claus Pop-Up, featuring extravagant décor that follows Mrs. Claus style throughout the years. Enjoy the IG worthy holiday spirit with a menu that's bursting with seasonal delights, including a peppermint espresso martini, a whimsical ornament shot ornament, bespoke cakes, and the awe-inspiring Christmas Surprise. This grand dessert masterpiece, painstakingly crafted over two days, arrives in a custom-built chocolate box brimming with over a dozen delectable treats, ensuring a truly magical holiday experience. The pop-up is open seven days a week until January 5.

RECURRING FESTIVITIES

Cheekwood Lights: Nashville’s classic holiday tradition returns, featuring a one-mile walking path with elegant and creative displays of lights that set Cheekwood Estate & Gardens aglow. With over one million lights twinkling throughout the gardens, s’mores, seasonal libations and a Holiday Marketplace, Holiday LIGHTS is a memory-making experience for visitors of all ages.

Predators Hockey Games. The Nashville Predators (commonly referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and have played their home games at Bridgestone Arena since 1998.

Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo Chinese artists have reimagined Chinese folklore in bright and colorful scenes throughout the Zoo. Visit North Pole Village This festive area is a must-see, full of lights, trees and holiday fun! Santa will visit each night, Nov. 24 to Dec. 24.

Festive Events - One Night Only

Gimme Gimme Disco at Brooklyn Bowl If you can’t get enough of ABBA, boy do we have THE dance party for you! We are a DJ based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80's like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, & so much more. So honey honey, take-a-chance and you’ll be dancing all night long. Grab tickets, put on your best disco attire, bring your friends, and have the best night of your life! Friday December 22, Doors at 7:00 Show at 8:00 18+ Event

City Winery Nashville Presents Nashville Beatles Brunch Featuring Forever Abbey Road & More live in concert on December 17th at 12pm Nashville Beatles brunch will feature John Salaway with an amazing band of touring pros plus special guest stars each month! Get your tickets now to enjoy the most famous monthly brunch show in town-Nashville Beatles Brunch!  Purchase Brunch Buffet at the show for $35.99!

The Electric Jane Drag Brunch Series: What is Christmas without Dolly Parton!? Don't miss an ALL Dolly Parton Drag Brunch filled with her hits and Christmas favorites. Costumes and Christmas outfits are welcome. We encourage singing and dancing. Additional Shows include Mariah Carey, the Grinch, and Nightmare Before Christmas.

Is my 401k useful in purchasing a home?

Thinking About Using Your 401(k) To Buy a Home?

Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You're not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings to make it happen. But before you decide to dip into your retirement to buy a home, be sure to consider all possible alternatives and talk with a financial expert. Here’s why.

The Numbers May Make It Tempting

The data shows many Americans have saved a considerable amount for retirement (see chart below):

It can be really tempting when you have a lot of money saved up in your 401(k) and you see your dream home on the horizon. But remember, dipping into your retirement savings for a home could cost you a penalty and affect your finances later on. That's why it's important to explore all your options when it comes to saving for a down payment and buying a home. As Experian says:

“It’s possible to use funds from your 401(k) to buy a house, but whether you should depends on several factors, including taxes and penalties, how much you’ve already saved and your unique financial circumstances.”

Alternative Ways To Buy a Home

Using your 401(k) is one way to finance a home, but it's not the only option. Before you decide, consider a couple of other methods, courtesy of Experian:

  • FHA Loan: FHA loans allow qualified buyers to put down as little as 3.5% of the home's price, depending on their credit scores.

  • Down Payment Assistance Programs: There are many national and local programs that can help first-time and repeat homebuyers come up with the necessary down payment.

Above All Else, Have a Plan

No matter what route you take to purchase a home, be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything. Working with a team of experts to develop a concrete plan prior to starting your journey to homeownership is the key to success. Kelly Palmer, Founder of The Wealthy Parent, says:

“I have seen parents pausing contributions to their retirement plans in favor of affording a larger home often with the hope they can refinance in the future… As long as there is a tangible plan in place to get back to saving for their retirement goals, I encourage families to consider all their options.”

Bottom Line

If you’re still thinking about using your 401(k)-retirement savings for a home down payment, consider all your options and work with a financial professional before you make any decisions. Boxwood Agents can help connect you with financial professionals to help you make the best decisions for your future.

3 Key Skills Your Listing Agent Needs to Have

3 Key Skills your listing agent needs to havE

Selling your house is a big decision. And that can make it feel both exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking. But the key to a successful sale is finding the perfect listing agent to work with you throughout the process. A listing agent, also known as a seller's agent, helps market and sell your house while advocating for you every step of the way.

But, how do you know you've found the perfect match in an agent? Here are three key skills you’ll want your listing agent to have.

They Price Your House Based on the Latest Data

While it may be tempting to pick the agent who suggests the highest asking price for your house, that strategy may cost you. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when you see a bigger number, but overpricing your house can have consequences. It could mean it’ll sit on the market longer because the higher price is actually deterring buyers.

Instead, you want to pick an agent who’s going to have an open conversation about how they think you should price your house and why. A great agent will base their pricing strategy on solid data. They won't throw out a number just to win your listing. Instead, they'll show you the facts, explain their pricing strategy, and make sure you're on the same page. As NerdWallet explains:

“An agent who recommends the highest price isn't always the best choice. Choose an agent who backs up the recommendation with market knowledge.”

They’re a Great Negotiator

The home-selling process can be emotional, especially if you’ve been in your house for a long time. You’re connected to it and have a lot of memories there. This can make the negotiation process harder. That’s where a trusted professional comes in.

A skilled listing agent will be calm under pressure and will be your point-person in all of those conversations. Their experience in handling the back-and-forth gives you with the peace of mind that you've got someone on your side who’s got your best interests in mind throughout this journey.

They’re a Skilled Problem Solver

At the heart of it all, a listing agent's main priority is to get your house sold. A great agent never loses sight of that goal and will help you prioritize your needs above all else. If they identify any necessary steps you need to take, they’ll be open with you about it. Their commitment to your success means they'll work with you to address any potential roadblocks and find creative solutions to anything that pops up along the way.

BankRate explains it like this:

“Just as important as the knowledge and experience agents bring is their ability to guide you smoothly through the process. Above all, go with an agent you trust and will feel comfortable with. . .”

Bottom Line

Whether you're a first-time seller or you’ve been through selling a house before, a great listing agent is the key to success. Connect with a Boxwood agent so you have a skilled local expert by your side to guide you through every step of the process.