Music City PHiNs

From the Tennessean newspaper article by G. Chambers Williams III:

“We have signed a lease and we’re ready to roll,” said Mark Bloom, a principle in the Corner Partnership, which is involved in several other downtown properties including the Hilton and Union Station hotels. “Buffett wants to make music a big part of the venue here, and the café is going to appeal to the young crowd, locals and visitors to our city,” he said. “Besides the food and special drinks synonymous with Margaritaville, the music will be a special attraction.”

They hope to open by the end of the year on Lower Broadway in the 18,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Planet Hollywood at 322 Broadway. (Map link) It has two floors, both of which will be used by the restaurant. At street level there will be a restaurant, bar and three live-music stages. The second floor will house another bar, additional restaurant seating, and a “small concert hall with state-of-the-art lighting and sound system,” Bloom said. Total seating capacity is 350, with about 200 in the concert hall upstairs. A retail shop selling Buffett music and memorabilia will be included, as well. Live music will be featured daily. The café will be open from 11 a.m.-3 a.m. seven days a week, Bloom said, and the entertainment will include “a nightly showcase of newcomers.” Buffett’s band, the Coral Reefers, is based in Nashville, and there will be a special circular staircase in the restaurant “with a family tree” paying tribute to past and present members of the band, Bloom said. Many are Nashville residents. Construction will begin in late April, and will involve a “multimillion-dollar renovation” of the building “from top to bottom”.

Continued . . . (more…)