Murfreesboro's Downtown Square Is Still the Place To Do Business
Murfreesboro native Coreen Holden has wanted to open a shop on the downtown public square since she was a little girl.
In July 2006‚ the 18-year-old entrepreneur realized her dream when she opened 2 Cute! Fashion‚ Jewelry & Gifts‚ a charming little boutique tucked away on the ground floor of a historic building.
“I love the feel of the square – the old hardwood floors‚ the 14-foot ceilings. You don’t get that anywhere else‚” Holden gushes‚ her funky bracelets clinking together as she gestures around the shop. “This building is as unique as my store.”
2 Cute! is one-of-a-kind indeed‚ with pink and green polka-dotted walls and unusual merchandise‚ ranging from monogrammed clogs‚ handbags and notepads to jewelry‚ accessories and hand-painted wall hangings.
It’s that kind of distinctiveness that draws people to downtown Murfreesboro‚ which has been a vital part of life in Rutherford County for more than a century and continues to thrive with independent retail stores‚ restaurants and offices.
Anchored by the beautiful Rutherford County Courthouse‚ one of only six remaining Tennessee courthouses built before the Civil War‚ downtown Murfreesboro is always bustling with merchants going about their daily business‚ shoppers hunting for bargains and people simply relaxing on benches beneath shade trees.
More than 100 19th-century restored commercial buildings dot the downtown area.
“Downtown is what gives Murfreesboro its identity‚ because our past‚ our present and our future is here‚” says Janelee Wise‚ former executive director of Main Street Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Inc.‚ a downtown revitalization program. “There are businesses that have been here more than 50 years‚ and they’ve survived because they offer personal service and a quality product. There are brand-new business owners with fresh‚ new ideas‚ and there are seasoned retail veterans.”
Speaking of retail‚ you can find almost anything here – clothing‚ hardware‚ accessories‚ gifts‚ shoes‚ jewelry and more – without even having to set foot inside a humdrum mall or an impersonal big-box retailer.
Ruby’s has been selling women’s clothing and accessories on the square for 43 years.
“We have customers who have shopped here the whole 43 years‚” says Ruby’s owner Jimmie Cowan. “Our customers’ daughters and granddaughters also shop with us. Even some who move out of state come back to shop here‚ and that’s a huge compliment.”
Leslie’s Shoppe also sells hip and fashionable clothing for women‚ often carrying brands customers can’t find at the mall. Owner Leslie Matthews opened the shop three years ago.
“The square is so unique. It’s not like getting lost in a mall‚” she says. “The courthouse is pretty‚ and there are so many eclectic‚ homey shops. Downtown is really thriving – when parking spots open up‚ people are taking them.”
A hop‚ skip and a jump away is Holden Hardware‚ another downtown landmark. It has been owned and operated by the Holden family for 58 years.
“The difference between us and the big-box hardware stores is instant service. We wait on everybody‚” says Paul Rury‚ a clerk at Holden Hardware. “Plus‚ our prices are often better.”
When shoppers get hungry‚ they don’t need to leave downtown. More than a dozen eateries dot the downtown area‚ including Marina’s on the Square‚ a favorite for Italian fare‚ and The Front Porch Café‚ located in an antebellum home.
Maple Street Grill opened in 2006 and has been quite popular.
“We’re the only place in Murfreesboro that has certified Angus beef‚” says Danielle Spirlock‚ a hostess at Maple Street Grill. “Lots of people also come just for our Bananas Foster.”
Downtown also hosts several highly anticipated annual events‚ such as JazzFest‚ a free two-day jazz celebration the first weekend in May‚ and First Fridays‚ a summer concert series on the square.
“We also have a huge Christmas event the first Friday in December with the official lighting of the Rutherford County Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa‚” Wise says. “Church choirs and instrumental groups perform‚ and businesses stay open late and serve refreshments. It’s a great kickoff for the holidays.”
