Merchants Restaurant

In the 1890s, a hot lunch on Broadway cost only twenty five cents. Better yet, visitors could lodge in the heart of downtown for almost the same price. When it opened, the 1892 Merchants Hotel offered traveling businessmen, and later country music stars, a cheap place to stay on Broadway. The Queen Anne style building was originally two separate stores, a drug store and hardware store. Once the buildings were connected, the hotel operated for over seventy five years, closing in the 1980s. At that time, Ed Stolman bought the space and turned it into a fine-dining experience that also showcases the building’s storied past. 

Ownership has changed since the 1980s but the strong connection to its history remains. The first floor bistro caters to tourists and locals alike—just as it did over 125 years ago. The upscale second floor menu offers steaks and fresh seafood. Ask a host to point out love letters found during renovations; exposed brick from the original pharmacy label that reads “blooo medicine,” a misspelling of blood medicine; and a row of fireplaces that flank the external wall. The fireplaces reveal the size of each hotel room, once divided by walls, where up to six guests packed inside. Ask the staff for a history of the building, and if they aren’t too busy, they can tell you all about it.

Merchants is the last stop—we hope you enjoyed the tour and that you are leaving with “Food for Thought” about Nashville’s best restaurants located in historic buildings. If you want to continue your downtown adventure in Nashville, there are several sites nearby that are worth a visit. Continuing west to Upper Broadway takes you to notable architectural sites in the city including the Customs House, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Frist Art Museum, and Union Station. 

If you walk down Fourth Ave. South, you will arrive at the Music City Walk of Fame Park, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and Hatch Show Print. In the other direction, Fifth Ave. North will take you to the visitor’s entrance of the Ryman Auditorium. There are also a handful of nineteenth century residences along Fifth Ave. S. If you aren't full yet and are willing to take a walk, visit Pinewood Social or James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock's restaurant, Husk. You can also find another Nashville Sites tour to show you more of the city!