The Arcade

At the heart of downtown Nashville stands The Arcade—a grand, glass-roofed shopping gallery completed in 1902 and modeled after Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Stretching across two city blocks, The Arcade is best known today for its art walks, local shops, and galleries. But its story begins long before its Beaux-Arts façade took shape.

In the mid-1800s, the corner of what is now Arcade Alley and Church Street was a cultural crossroads—and one of Nashville’s earliest venues for moving-image exhibitions. Long before the age of film, curious crowds gathered here for “moving panoramas”—massive scrolling paintings accompanied by dramatic narration. In 1847, The Great Moving Picture of the Hudson River, a 12,000-foot canvas spectacle, played here for 50 cents a ticket.

By the early 1910s, The Arcade was home to the Log Cabin Theatre—later renamed The Victoria Theatre—a nickelodeon-style motion picture house, featuring silent films that cost only 5 cents, or a “nickel.” These places helped turn movies into everyday entertainment. And yes, that’s where the TV channel Nickelodeon got its name—bringing stories to a new generation, just like those early theaters did.

The Arcade returned to the silver screen in 1966 as a filming location for Nashville Rebel, the only feature film to star Waylon Jennings. The film follows a war veteran-turned-country singer navigating fame and hardship with scenes shot at other landmarks like the Ryman Auditorium, State Capitol, and RCA Studio B. It also featured the film debut of Loretta Lynn. The 35mm print of Nashville Rebel is now preserved at the Belcourt Theatre.

Today, The Arcade remains a vibrant hub for food, art, and local businesses like Robert “Percy” Person’s Shine Service. Percy, who began shining shoes in 1947, is the subject of Shine Service, a documentary released in 2020. Producer Jared Rauso said, “Some people call [Percy] a philosopher. He’s also a master at his craft.” Now in his 80s, Percy is a local icon whose story captures the working soul of Nashville.

Want to learn more about this amazing hidden history gem? Don’t worry, there is a tour for that! Check out our walking tours on Food for Thought, Civil Rights Sit-Ins, Hidden History and Haunts, and Downtown Public Art and Murals.

Since you’ve walked through The Arcade you are now on 4th Ave N. You can cross the street and enter Printers Alley from this side, but a cinephile like you would rather have the dramatic entrance, right? Turn RIGHT onto 4th Ave then turn LEFT back onto Church Street. This will give you the best view of the iconic Printers Alley sign stretching over the street. Turn LEFT or RIGHT to see each side of Printers Alley.