Hickory Hollow Mall Redevelopment Plan

When it comes to Nashville fashion, shopping, and events, the Hickory Hollow Mall isn’t exactly on my, or most people’s for that matter, radar.  In fact, I’ve only been to the Hickory Hollow Mall once- and it was a short-lived experience…

I had recently moved to Nashville and was trying to establish my new shopping headquarters. After googling ‘Nashville malls’, I eventually came across Hickory Hollow Mall and decided to check it out. Although it was a long time ago I visited the mall, I remember the overwhelming feeling of retail abandonment, as I gaited past rows and rows of closed doors and empty stores. It was obvious shop owners had ditched their leases long ago, and there was little chance for retail regeneration.

A deserted Hickory Hollow Mall.

 I later found out that Hickory Hollow Mall used to be a prime shopping center, housing popular retailers such as Victoria’s Secret, Express, Gap, and New York & Company. Over the years, these types of retailers have closed their doors, relocating to more attractive destinations in the Nashville area. Reviewers of Yelp account the moves due to gang violence, armed robbery, and auto thefts; one individual stated “most of the shoppers who would actually come to spend money refuse to go [to Hickory Hollow Mall] anymore.” Most reviewers simply comment on the dilapidated and dismal state of the mall. (Interesting tip: Check out the Security page on the Cool Springs Galleria website versus the Security page on the Hickory Hollow Mall website. Although both owned by CBL Properties, they are vastly different.)

Now, malls within themselves, not just Hickory Hollow, are a dying breed. Believe it or not, I actually wrote my Master’s thesis on mall shopping. Totally true. Although I concentrated on a specific population of shoppers (Generation Y) and their preference of entertainment malls (think Opry Mills pre-flood) versus traditional malls (think Cool Springs), I did a lot of research on shopping malls in general. If you would like to read all 118 pages of my thesis, I’d be happy to share that with you, but let me just give you a few highlights.

A 2001 study found that 19 percent of shopping malls were either dead or dying, and 85 percent of malls in America are more than 20 years old (Lukas, 2004). Moreover, the International Council of Shopping Centers predicted that the number of traditional retail malls is expected to shrink from 1,200 to around 900 within the next few years. A 2002 six-year study examining mall shopping behavior found that although mall patronage has significantly dropped, consumer spending is on the rise. This statistic recognizes that malls must revolutionize practices and adapt in order to be viable in the retail world (Nichols, Faun, Kranendonk, and Roscow, 2002).

My graduate research also lead me to a fascinating website, deadmalls.com, which chronicles dead and dying malls in the United States. Surprise, Hickory Hollow Mall is on there and with some not-so-great reviews, too.

So, why all the talk about Hickory Hollow Mall? Recently, I briefly met and chatted with Karen Johnson (former Board Member of the Adventure Science Center, YMCA, and Metro Nashville Public Schools) about new developments for the Hickory Hollow Mall. Karen turned me on to the Southeast Davidson County website where I learned about potential plans to redevelop the mall and completed a survey expressing my input on the matter. (Fill out the survey here.) 

A September article from WSMV, details the $209 million plan to revitalize the 1.1 million square feet of Hickory Hollow Mall to include a community center, library, public health center, exposition center, and multi-acre public park. The most publicized facility, the exposition center, would house the flea market and other events currently held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Here are some of the plans for the mall:

A major proponent of the Hickory Hollow Mall revitalization, Mayor Karl Dean said, “Southeast Davidson County is one of the fastest growing parts of our city, and it’s a community where demands for services continue to grow. These new public facilities will breathe new life into Hickory Hollow Mall and benefit the surrounding retail and commercial areas by attracting more visitors and creating a more stable business environment,” (Kumari, 2010). 

The potential plan has fueled debate on both sides. According to WSMV, many Antioch-area residents oppose the public health center and insist the new plan will diminish property values, and many vendors of the Tennessee Flea Market wish to keep the TN State Fairgrounds as their home. Despite this, Mayor Dean has won his first council vote in favor of the proposal.

This story will definitely continue in the upcoming months, and it will be interesting to see the fate of the Hickory Hollow Mall.

References:

Kumari, C. (2010, September 10). $209M plan unveiled to redevelop Hickory Hollow Mall. Retrieved from http://www.wsmv.com/news/24958547/detail.html.

Lukas, P. (2004, October 18) Our malls, ourselves. Fortune, 150(8), 243-256.

Nichols, J., Faun L., Kranendonk, C., & Roscow, S. (2002). The seven year itch? Mall shopping over time. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 19(2), 149-165.

photo credits:

photo 1 - http://wkrn.images.worldnow.com/images/13133907_BG1.jpg

photo 2 - http://www.labelscar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/hickory-hollow-mall-49.jpg

photo 3 - http://www.canada.com/life/3385937.bin?size=620x400

photo 4 - http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Avis=DN&Dato=20101115&Kategori=NEWS0202&Lopenr=11150321&Ref=AR&MaxW=380&Border=0

photo 5 - http://www.canada.com/life/3385937.bin?size=620x400

photo 6 - http://www.hickoryhollowmall.com/shop/hickoryhollow.nsf/logo2.gif

photo 7 - http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl2/41/416654/27_2009/652a97f5a4884bfd_hickory_hollow.xlarger.jpg



Shop & Wine Open House: December 4, 2010

Before heading out to the East Nashville Boutique Crawl on Saturday, December 4 from 6:00 – 9:00 (see blog post here), swing by Wear It Out Manuel on 1001 Dickerson Pike for a little shopping and wine from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. As detailed on the Facebook invite: “You're personally invited to come visit our Open House for Wine and a good time! We have great deals for the holidays on showroom & custom orders 20% off. See you there!”

RSVP to Facebook here.

Posh Sale: 20% off dress shirts and dresses

Nashville Fashion Week: March 29 – April 2, 2011

Get ready for Nashville Fashion Week! This is not to be confused with the recent Fashion Week Nashville (see previous blog entry here) put on my Couture Magazine. Nashville Fashion Week will be sure to entertain and surprise you. And with the lovely Marcia Masulla helping to head up this event, you know this will be unforgettable!

View Nashville Fashion Week's website here.


Here is the press release from NFW:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

Nashville Celebrates Citywide Creativity

with Nashville Fashion Week, March 29-April 2, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (November 29, 2010) – Nashville joins the ranks of other cities around the country with the launch of an annual Nashville Fashion Week, March 29–April 2, 2011. The citywide event will celebrate Nashville’s thriving fashion and retail community and its array of creative talent. Proceeds from the event will benefit the newly established Nashville Fashion Forward Fund, to be administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and awarded annually to advance the career of select local talent with demonstrated experience in a fashion-related field.

Nashville Fashion Week organizers are working with community partners and businesses throughout the city to ensure that the event encourages both Nashvillians and visitors to explore the area’s diverse fashion and retail spaces while highlighting local, regional and nationally known design talent.

“Nashville is a city with enormous creativity, a history of innovative entrepreneurship and an incredible community spirit,” said Mayor Karl Dean. “Nashville Fashion Week is an ideal way to demonstrate and celebrate the high level of talent that lives and works in our city.”

Lexus of Nashville is the official presenting sponsor for Nashville Fashion Week in 2011. Additional sponsors currently include The Mall at Green Hills, Big Events and the Hutton Hotel. Current media sponsorships include SouthComm Communications, NowPlayingNashville.com, Yelp and Comcast.

“Community involvement is a core value for us, and we’re pleased to support Nashville Fashion Week,” said JR Roper, general manager of Lexus of Nashville. “At Lexus, we have a passion for good design, and I share that personally, whether in cars, architecture or clothing.”

The establishment of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund was inspired by the important professional development the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA)

provides through programs such as the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund ensures that Nashville Fashion Week is not just a signature high-profile event to celebrate creative talent, but also an ongoing, sustainable focus for philanthropic support.

“Nashville is a tremendously caring, giving community,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “With the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund, Nashville Fashion Week not only showcases the city’s creativity, but also encourages the next generation of talent in an area that doesn’t always receive the level of support it needs and deserves.”

In addition to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, community partners for Nashville Fashion Week include the Mayor’s Office, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Nashville Downtown Partnership, and Nashville Fashion Group.

Nashville Fashion Week is being planned and directed by Creative

Co-op Nashville, LLC, a volunteer collaboration of fashion, retail and media professionals who have partnered to combine their resources and passion to create this event.

CONTACT:

Cindy Wall

615-974-9066

cindy@nashvillefashionweek.com

Marcia Masulla

314-249-3558

marcia@nashvillefashionweek.com

web:                http://nashvillefashionweek.com

Facebook:     Nashville Fashion Week

Twitter:           #nashfashweek

Find them on Facebook here.

Read the writeup from the Nashville Scene here.

Blog Update: Thanksgiving Blog Break

I'll be returning to the motherland for a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend filled with family, food, and no Internet access. Seriously. I can't even attempt to steal a wireless connection from my parent's remote house, so I'll be blog breakin' for a few days.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving and I'll be interested to hear about your Nashville Black Friday shopping excursions!

East Nashville Vintage Boutique Crawl: December 4, 2010

Get ready for the East Nashville Vintage Boutique Crawl which will take place December 4, 2010 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Here is a description of the event as listed on Yelp's website:

Music City's best vintage shopping is in East Nashville, where from 6-9 pm on December 4 over a dozen of Music City's finest purveyors of secondhand style are taking part in a holiday-themed boutique crawl. Shoppers will enjoy event-specific discounts on gifts and party clothes at seven neighborhood stores: Humankind Thrift, The Green Wagon, Wonders on Woodland, Hip Zipper Vintage Clothiers, The Goodbuy Girls, Made and Fanny's House of Music, where permanent in-store dealers Diamond Star Halo Vintage and T&P will be joined by visiting vendors Brooklyn Y'all, Closet Case Vintage, Mom & Pop Culture Shop, myfavoriteplum vintage, Pink Star Vintage and Sabrosa Vintage. Many stores are featuring entertainment, including a live band: Those Darlins will play a free show at 8 pm on the porch at Fanny's.

This is sure to be a fantastic event, filled with hidden treasures and gems. Grab your 1950's clutches, and head out for a shopping adventure with the East Nashville Vintage Boutique Crawl.

RSVP to Facebook here.

photo credits

1. http://www.propervintageclothing.com/images/(2).jpg

2. http://www.buttons-and-bows.co.uk/images/50%27s%20reproduction%20vintage%20clothing%20fashions.jpg

3. http://blog.globalyp.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Blu-Vintage-Boutique.jpg

Now Hiring: Blush Boutique

I've previously blogged about the adorable Blush Boutique (see New Items and Event Review), and now you have a chance to work there! Blush Boutique is hiring both full and part-time sales associates. As listed on their Craigslist ad,

Qualified applicants must:

• MUST be able to work 15-40 hours per week, including nights, weekends, and holidays (and post-holiday season)
• Have the ability to prioritize tasks and multi-task to meet store sales objectives in a fast-paced environment
• Must have a proven track record of delivering outstanding customer service
• Must have a proven track record of meeting/exceeding organizational sales goals

If you feel that you meet these criteria, please submit your resume via email to allie@blushboutiques.com.

Nashville Designers and Retailers Featured in Latest Nylon Mag Issue

Pick up your copy of Nylon Mag today to read all about the Nashville designers and retailers featured over a 6-page spread.

photo 1 from http://www.nashvillefashiongroup.org/

photo 2 from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq_yxM5ImUsJ4Xhwcx16R5g2MmgNMN7re8ZZn5sM9muU1L0O1CZr6RxcVCMFYlGawUXWhO-6PXu15NlxvPJ4EegxkL1A4bb895dmee_wx_Bdq_RxVtl8aBDVvMjgnGhTdMM8f2qI6Fb8/s1600/write+up+1.jpeg

fashionABLE: Scarves for a Cause

While catching up on my Sunday morning blog reading, I visited the fashionable blog of Nashville’s most famous stylist, Amber Lehman. In her most recent entries, Lehman promotes fashionABLE, a non-profit organization that creates a sustainable business for women in Africa through the creation of hand-made scarves. As detailed on the fashionABLE website, the company “works with women who have been exploited due to the effects of poverty.  So, when you purchase a scarf you are providing jobs, and then we send the profits back to holistically rehabilitate more women.”

Here is the business model of fashionABLE:

The organization was conceived by Nashville-based Barrett Ward only a few months ago, but this charitable activist has been giving back to Africa since 2005 after founding Mocha Club- “a new generation of activists giving up the cost of two mochas, or $7 a month, to fund relief and development projects in Africa.” While living in Africa, Ward stumbled upon Women at Risk, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of women exploited in the sex industry. Following the missions of other African fashion businesses like Keza, Ward saw fashionABLE as an opportunity to fight poverty and oppression through gainful employment.

As detailed on the livefashionABLE blog, there are three major steps to creating one of these original scarves:

First, Ethiopian cotton is dyed to chosen colors.

Second, the scarf is hand-woven on a traditional Ethiopian loom.  

Last, a garment tag is hand-stitched onto each scarf.

Currently, there are three different scarves to choose from, which will only set you back $22 each. Each scarf is named after the designer and accompanied by a story of triumph and success:

The Bezuayhu – “I am ABLE to look forward to my future.”

The Meselu – “ I am ABLE to send my son Eyob to school.”

The Mulu – “I am ABLE to feel confident.”

In the company’s short existence, they have already garnered some major followers. Styleblueprint is the official sponsor of fashionABLE, actress and Esquire Magazine’s Sexiest Woman Alive Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) lent her voice to the launch of fashionABLE, and the Bezuayhu scarf has recently been seen around the neck of Lady Antebellum musician, Hillary Scott.

Here fashionABLE stylist Amber Lehman is joined by musician Sissy Harrington to introduce the line of scarves and give you a few pointers on how to wear these fashionable pieces.

fashionABLE scarves can be purchased online here, or at Nashville retailers Nashville Clothing Company in the Gulch and Cool Springs, and at Posh in Hill Center. fashionABLE scarves are also currently sold in Knoxville at Elle Boutique and Obligato.

With the Holiday season just around the corner, this is a great gift to keep your friends and family looking stylish while promoting the lives of women in Africa.  

all photos from fashionABLE blog and website.

Billy Reid Named CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner

photo from http://free-pianosheetmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Billy-Reid.jpg

Congratulations to Nashville-based designer Billy Reid for his $300,000 award! Marc Karimzadeh of WWD wrote a wonderful piece, highlighting Reid, and can be found below.

NEW YORK — A new crop of American design talent has been crowned.

Billy Reid is this year’s winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, taking home an award of $300,000 and a trophy of a bronze swan by Rachel Feinstein.

Eddie Borgo and Prabal Gurung were named runners-up, each collecting $100,000 and trophies in the shape of bronze eggs by the New York artist. The winner and runners-up were selected from a group of 10 finalists and unveiled at a dinner gala at Skylight SoHo here on Monday evening, which featured Karl Lagerfeld as the keynote speaker. The other finalists were Joseph Altuzarra of Altuzarra, Christian Cota, Robert Geller, Oliver Helden and Paul Marlow of Loden Dager, Pamela Love of Pamela Love Jewelry, Moss Lipow and Gregory Parkinson.

The fashion fund, now in its seventh year, was created by the CFDA and Vogue magazine to help cultivate emerging talents with a combination of a cash prize and a mentorship program by industry leaders. This year, cash prizes increased for the fund, which is in a partnership with J. Crew and underwritten by L’Oréal Paris, Nordstrom, Theory, American Express, Barneys New York, Coach, Juicy Couture, Appleman Foundation, Liz Claiborne Inc., Lord & Taylor, and Vogue.

The 2010 Awards gala was underwritten by eBay.

Reid joins a group of past winners that includes Sophie Theallet, Alexander Wang, Rogan Gregory of Rogan, Doo-Ri Chung, Trovata and Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough.

Story from WWD.com.

Billy Reid

photo from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRB8mZmKx1M3p0Bk1OPSolgRzZi5DPf2Y2naqs0niH31GKBCnfhiKd4nAXRW5s5RdJKeHCXaM4FYSeBh86KzuwcAJOoozdvWQgL9Q4kzQqmVGBOql7NWof6uN8doRfcl_WQtj_PCLkT8/s1600/cfda1.jpg

Karl Lagerfeld, Billy Reid with the other winners

photo from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSQ8wXUfM6gXvsIXvZIrePHZ8KDMt18lmeafb-eTPgVA-wPwkghhC1_EwDoFqoYkOyv2i-87xz8QcqrIizK6ypwyioymfM64FVYYX8p17GkAZusStmqCNDiE7xs1ZTni3VYnj70YI-Qw/s1600/cfda.jpg

Now Hiring: The Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville

Here is the job advertisement as listed on the company's website:

Fashion Retail Management Instructor - Full Time 

The Art Institute of Tennessee - Nashville is actively seeking a full time instructor to join our Fashion Retail Management team. The ideal candidate should have industry and teaching experience.

Job Summary

The instructor facilitates meaningful learning of the course competencies in the curriculum and proactively supports all facets of the learning environment. S/He provides education through learning-centered instruction that will enable graduates to fulfill the evolving needs of the marketplace. S/He encourages a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility and respect, life-long learning and ethics as well as personal and professional development. Incumbent must assure that the EDMC philosophy: quality services to clients; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; sound economic principles; and environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking and expansion - is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position.
Key Job Elements

• Provides competency-based education which aligns with the EDMC model of curricula as well as supports the EDMC style of system delivery.
• Designs and delivers class instruction through the development of instructional plans to meet course competencies, the development of activities which support lesson objectives, and (in the case of online instructors ONLY) delivers the instruction as approved.
• Enables the achievement of pre-described exit competencies for student achievement and evaluation of learning by providing instruction which fosters competencies and establish student performance criteria and evaluation.
• Delivers learning-centered instruction by establishing a classroom environment conducive to learning and student involvement as well as effectively planning and preparing for classes and student success.
• Promotes student success by showing flexibility in style and work schedule as well as exhibiting a passion for teaching and students and engaging students in the learning process.
• Manages the learning environment through keeping accurate records, submitting grades and other reports on time, and enforcing school/campus academic and attendance policies.
• Contributes to a learning culture by participating on curriculum and system task forces, supporting local campus events such as orientation and graduation, and participating in various other workshops and meetings.
• Relates professional/life/industry experience to learning by the continuation of professional/technical skills development, the introduction of industry perspective into courses, and the active awareness of professional/industry trends and opportunities.

Job Requirements

Knowledge:

• Master's degree in fashion merchandising, textiles, and/or apparel required.
• Zero to two years experience in instruction or formalized education process, preferably in a post-secondary or college institution.
• Membership in a professional association tied to area of instruction preferred.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to build successful relationships with student populations.
• Outstanding conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated time management and detail-oriented skills
• Computer based skills (i.e., software, analytical, and report writing skills)

Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet frequently occurring deadlines.
• Ability to develop a professional rapport with diverse school/campus constituents.
• Ability to develop and complete projects without continued direct supervision
• Ability to learn from students' participation, demonstrates fair and consistent behavior in all matters, and shows compassion without being ineffectual

Apply here.

Free People in Green Hills Mall Grand Opening Today!

Make sure to stop by and check this adorable retailer out!

Nashville Extravaganza of the Arts: November 27, 2010

Get ready for Nashville Extravaganza of the Arts, which will be held November 27, 2010 from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am November 28 at Avenue 9 (312 9^th Avenue South, Nashville, TN). As detailed on the event’s website, this will be “an extravaganza of music, fashion, and art”, including “eleven of the best local fashion designers, two excellent artists, and five amazing musicians”.

Gram Parsons Jacket by Wear it Out Manuel - $5,000

Available at wearitoutmanuel.com.

The featured fashion includes designs from Wear it Out Manuel by Manuel Cuevas and the featured artists include Antwan Hamilton of Artificer and Sunny Artiste. Other fashion designs planned for the evening include Olia Zavozina, Carlos Bonola, Original Sin, Denise Crapps, Charles Lord, Dylan Stephens, Nicole Cooley, Retro Funktriactics by Tarryn Grant, Alain Patterson, and Chiddma Nmoh. Accessories will be provided by Lia Sophia. Dance coordination is by Jeremy Green & Shamazz Harris and model representation includs DAN Agency, BNA Talent, Advantage Models, MACS/AMAX, Hurd Agency, Block Agency, Diavontti Models, and Doll House The Agency. Makeup will be done by Dan Read Cosmetics.

Dylan Stephens design

General admission will cost you $25 and VIP is $200 and includes four seats and bottle service. Proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association.

RSVP to Facebook here.

Designer / Retailer Highlight: Project 615

Ok, I’m not going to lie. When it comes to my every day look, I’m not really a t-shirt kind of girl. I tend to dress up a little more; my perfect winter outfit is an adorable dress, some kickin’ boots, and a ridiculously huge faux fur scarf. But you know, sometimes you just have to slip on that comfortable tee, your favorite pair of jeans, and show off your sexy versatility. And if you’re in the market for some new threads, I suggest you check out online-based Project 615. You can’t beat the price; shirts range from $19.99 to $22.99.

As the name suggests, Project 615 is a local company currently specializing in Nashville-inspired t-shirts. The company is run by friends Derek Evans and Matt Blinco and has only been operation since this summer.

Ok, so what’s so special about Project 615? Well, first off, their shirts are pretty sweet. All unisex shirts are manufactured in the USA at American Apparel’s downtown LA location, then designed and screen printed by Evans and Blinco themselves. Current shirt designs feature phrases like “615: Music Capital of the World”, “Johnny & Merle & Willie & Waylon & Hank”, and then the simple, yet direct, “Nashville, Tennessee”. Second, and most importantly, this company has probably one of the best purposes and missions around. Twenty percent of every purchase is donated directly to Set Free Nashville to assist homeless individuals in our area. According to the Project 615 website, Set Free Nashville is a “brand new church for the homeless… They offer a relationship with Jesus, shelter, lodging, meals, rest, and rehabilitation. Thousands of people nationwide have been given a second chance of life because of Set Free. They have had their lives saved and changed for the better.  Now the homeless community of Nashville have an opportunity for their second chance.” Handing over proceeds from sales to Set Free Nashville is one of the most rewarding aspects of Project 615.

I recently chatted with co-founder of Project 615, Derek Evans, to learn more about him and his company.

A Broadcast Journalism major from Anderson University, Evans met his business partner, Matt Blinco, while they were both living in Indiana. After to moving to Nashville the two started a graphic design business, Cannonball Creative, creating merchandise for local bands. This summer the two ventured to LA, spent some time on Skid Row, and were shocked at what they discovered. “We saw HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of people who were homeless,” Evans said. According to a recent NPR article, Skid Row, a stretch of 50 square blocks, houses the nation’s largest homeless population- up to 10,000 men, women, and children on any given night. “After we got back from that trip we decided to do something about it here in Nashville,” Evans said. “[We realized] there are plenty of people we can help in our backyard”.

Evans and his partner have found inspiration for their mission. Inspiration for their designs, however, comes from the city of Nashville.  “We feel this town is filled with rich tradition, not only musically, but historically,” Evans said. He describes the Project 615 designs as having a ‘vintage-local-modern flavor’ and says he wants customers to realize that when they buy a t-shirt “not only do [you] get a sweet shirt, [you]  also get to give back to the city of Nashville.”

In the upcoming months, Project 615 plans to expand operations to offer hoodies, jackets, hats, and more. Keep updated with the company to learn about new merchandise and designs. They also plan to have a series of benefit concerts to help raise money for Set Free Nashville.

So, when he’s not running his company, where can you find Evans? “The pedestrian bridge, Midtown, East Nashville, The Jefferson Street bridge, all the Mexican stands on Nolensville Road” or maybe just hanging out, listening to his favorite bands Kid Cudi and The Black Keys.

If you are interested in purchasing a Project 615 t-shirt, visit their website here or check them out on Facebook here. Remember that proceeds from your purchase will help homeless individuals in Nashville. As Evans said, “This city is filled with broken, homeless, addicted people who just need a second chance at life...someone to get them back on their feet. You can't walk 50 yards downtown without seeing a homeless person. That's not how life is supposed to be. We are all one mistake away from being homeless. If I was homeless, I would want someone to help me.”

all photos from project615.org

Betsey Johnson Nashville Saved!!!

photo from http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/features_fashion/files/2010/09/BetseyJohnson.jpg

Last night, and for the second time this week, I hit up Green Hills Mall for a little retail therapy and to attend the grand opening party of retailer Judith Bright (more on that later). I was meandering through the mall, window shopping stores like Louis Vuitton, imagining how delicious one of those bags would look on my arm, when I made my way down to the first floor where you turn the corner at bebe. I was admiring an unusually simple and elegant bebe window display of white tree branches and little red cardinals sitting atop, when I found myself in front of the Betsey Johnson store.

photo from http://0.tqn.com/d/fashion/1/0/n/z/2/76671350_10.jpg

There it was, all pink and frilly and punk and rock-n-roll, and I got a little sad. The adorable sales clerk informed me of a 30% off sale when I walked in the door, as I began to graze my fingers over black chiffon dresses I have no reason to wear. I made my most pitiful sad face, telling him I was sorry the store would be closing at the end of the month and I would miss Betsey Johnson. That’s when he informed me that actually, no, Betsey Johnson was NOT leaving Nashville. I probably looked like a cast member of Legally Blonde when I stumped him with my eloquent response of “huhhhhh????” (pretty impressive response, I know). The clerk said that from the help of the store sales staff, Green Hill Mall management, and YOUR support, the higher-ups decided to keep Betsey Johnson in Nashville!

photo from http://prommafia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/betsey-johnson.JPG

Now, here’s the scoop. BJ will stay in Green Hills Mall until at least January 31, 2011. This means you still have time to score big for Christmas and buy me a really cute dress to wear to my work Holiday party. After the 31^st, BJ plans to stay in Nashville, but the location is pending. The store may relocate to another mall, but we’ll have to stay tuned to see where the beloved store re-plants its pink feet!

BJ's newest collection.

photos from wgsn

Click here for original article on store closing.