Woolworth, McLellans, and Kress

Our story continues here—on John Lewis Way between Church and Union Streets. Twelve days after the Greensboro sit-in event, the Nashville Student Group launched their full-scale sit-ins on February 13, 1960. On that cold and cloudy day, 124 students challenged Nashville’s segregated lunch counters, entering three stores just after 12:30 p.m.—Kress, Woolworth, and McLellans. These stores carried clothing and retail but also featured diners—referred to as lunch counters. African Americans shopped in these stores but were not allowed to eat at the lunch counters due to discriminatory policies that had been in place for over fifty years.

The F. W. Woolworth Company was one of the original pioneers of the five-and-dime store, which offered quality products for budget shoppers. Founded in 1879 by Frank Woolworth, the store’s slogan was “Everybody’s Store,” but store policy continued to refuse to let African Americans eat alongside white customers. This included the original sit-in in Greensboro, North Carolina, which resulted in negative press for Woolworth. Here in Nashville, Woolworth opened in 1913 and added two lunch counters in 1925—one downstairs and one upstairs. African Americans were allowed to buy food for carryout. This was the site of three sit-in protests in 1960: February 13th, February 27th, and April 11th. 

February 27th was the most violent and resulted in several arrests—including Congressman John Lewis. It would be the first of fifty arrests for Lewis during the Civil Rights movement. Frankie Henry, another protestor, recalled a white woman putting out a cigarette on her arm. Reopened as a restaurant in 2018, Woolworth on 5th pays homage to the store’s past and as a site of the sit-in movement. Go inside to see the reconstructed lunch counter, historical photographs, and mid-century décor. Today, Woolworth on 5th truly is “Everybody’s Store,” with all welcome at their table.

As students entered Woolworth, another group simultaneously entered McLellans, two storefronts down. Founded by William McLellan in 1917, this store opened here in 1927. When the students entered McLellans on February 13, 1960, they were not served but no major incidents occurred. However, February 27th, 400 students conducted another sit-in at six stores. On that day, student protesters were doused with condiments and white protestors punched, kicked, and pushed them off their seats. They specifically directed their anger at Paul LaPrad, a white exchange student at Fisk University. After he was beaten off the stool, a bloodied LaPrad did not fight back. Instead, he rose and resumed his seat at the counter. The police arrested the nonviolent protestors, but the white attackers were not charged.

As students were arrested, additional protestors waiting in the alleyway entered the store and took their place. Ironically, the store’s founder, William McLellan, died on April 11th, the last day of the sit-in protests. Today, the McLellan building houses residential lofts.

Continue walking until you reach 237 Fifth Ave. N. Hit pause, then resume play once you reach the former site of the Kress Department Store.

The third store targeted by sit-in organizers on February 13th was S.H. Kress. Look for the white building with brass signature at the top that reads KRESS. Another national chain, the first store was opened by Samuel Kress in 1887 in Pennsylvania. Kress opened its Nashville store in 1896, and in 1935, the old building was razed, and a new store was built on the same site—featuring art deco architecture. Kress maintained a policy of segregated lunch counters at all of its locations in the South. Following the same protocol, students were met with verbal and physical attacks at Kress on February 27—just as they were at Woolworth and McLellans. In total, 81 students were arrested for disorderly conduct. None of the 200 white counter protestors were arrested. It was a dark but important day for the Civil Rights movement here in Nashville. Now let’s return to the crosswalk on John Lewis Way next to the Nashville Sit-Ins historical marker and cross the street to reach the Arcade.

Turn RIGHT, away from the historical marker, and cross the street at the cross walk. Enter the Arcade next to Walgreens and resume play as you walk through the Arcade, which connects Rep. John Lewis Way to Fourth Avenue. If the Arcade is closed, after crossing the street walk up John Lewis Way to Union Street and turn RIGHT. Walk to Fourth Ave. listening to the Arcade narrative.