issue 11 | march 2022
e e s s e n n e T e c n ie r e Exp monthly visitors guide
Spring Break in Maury County! Original Puckett's transition back to historic brand Fox & Locke Manchester, Shelbyville, & Wartrace
Spring Break in Maury County By: Elena Cawley Create everlasting memories and connect with your family and friends when you experience the back roads, rivers, and parks of Maury County together. Get away from the ordinary activities and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Get ready for an outdoor journey. Feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair and listen to the sounds of the river flowing in the rocky landscape in the forest. Outdoor adventures await you in Maury County. The area offers a variety of experiences that will bring you closer to nature, from hiking and kayaking to fishing and off-road adventures. Erin Jaggers, tourism director for Maury County, Tennessee, invites you to experience Maury County. Jaggers encourages Maury County residents and visitors to appreciate the beautiful nature of the area.
“We love to kayak the Duck River or float on tubes,” Jaggers said. “However, we recently went to Fisher’s Off-Road. They have several different guided tours on ATVs thru backroads, water, scenic views, and along the way, your guides tell you the history of the area. Our family had a blast on the tour. In addition, you cannot beat driving the back roads of Maury County – down the Natchez Trace and hiking to several waterfalls.” Travel the backcountry roads of Maury County. See the wildlife and hear the tires hit the creeks. Fisher's Off-Road Rentals is a family-owned business operated by Brian and his wife, Melissa, who has been a part of the off-road community for more than 20 years. They’ve spent years traveling, riding, and filming for their national television show, Fisher’s ATV World. The show allows viewers to experience trips to off-road parks and trail systems all over the country. Fisher’s Off-Road Rentals opened to the public in 2020 and now offers these exciting trips to you. Experience an unforgettable day filled with delight and beautiful nature. The journey includes scenic creek beds, rock cliffs with caves, waterfalls, wildlife, wineries, and local history. Head to Chickasaw Trace Park for hiking, kayaking, or fishing. Take in the splendor of the Duck River or its tributary Knob Creek. Chickasaw Trace Park is a 240-acre park welcoming you to experience nature. Chickasaw Trace Park offers mountain bike trails, a pump and jump track, a boat ramp, a radio control flying field, and a radio control car track. Chickasaw Trace Park invites mountain bikers of any level to enjoy the trails. The Columbia Cycling Club maintains an “outstanding mountain bike course with 9.2 miles of singletrack.”
Several race events are held at the park, including weekly group rides, the Jailbreak Triathlon, the Chickasaw Trace Classic, the Duck River Trail Run, and the Scarecrow Century. Listen to the water falling at Stillhouse Hollow Falls Stillhouse Hollow Falls is a 90-acre state natural area in Maury County. Hike the trails and appreciate the beauty of the natural area on the Western Highland Rim in the Duck River watershed. Listen to the water plunging 75 feet as you’re surrounded with a canopy of sugar maples, sycamores, oaks and hickories. Stillhouse Hollow Falls was designated a state natural area in 2006. The name of the area comes from its most significant feature, Stillhouse Hollow Falls, which can be seen by walking less than a mile along the Stillhouse Hollow Falls trail. The trail crosses a stream, forming scenic cascades before dropping about 75 feet over the falls.
Stay at Forest Gully Farms When you’re ready to relax after a day of exploring Maury County’s nature, unwind at Forest Gully Farms. Jon and Mandy Giffin own and operate Forest Gully Farms, an “experiment in sustainable living, built around the goal of living off the land.” “On our farm, we strive for a balance in diversity with our plantings,” the owners said. “We work with the whole system to produce a holistic edible ecosystem… Using methods from both permaculture and food forestry, we hope to keep a self-sustaining ecosystem using our plants, trees, animals, and bees.” The farm includes a vegetable garden, orchard, and chickens, providing a unique experience to guests. When you rent a night, you get all three huts, constructed of white cedar, and you can enjoy the 15acre farm, which will be a perfect ending to a day of outdoor adventure.
LEIPER’S FORK PUCKETT’S BACK TO ORIGINAL NAME FOX & LOCKE New Owners Transition Property Back to the Historic Brand BY: CINDY DUPREE HOLLOWWAY
Fox & Locke has been restored as the original name of the Leiper’s Fork Puckett’s, one of Tennessee’s most iconic music venues and community gathering spots. Community leaders and local historians encouraged the owners to return the building to its original name, preserving an authentic part of this National Historic District and a building protected on the National Register of Historic Places. “One of the foundations of the Leiper’s Fork historic district, Fox and Locke General Merchandise Store is a testament to those families who kept this rural place alive until the time came for the next residents to put into place their innovative but respectful sense of community restoration,” Tennessee State Historian Carroll Van West said. “Now, more than 60 years later, restoring the property to its original name reminds us of how the roots of our past, and an appreciation of that history and community, are always the foundations on which a better future can be achieved.”
Jack Fox and Martin Locke rented the building across the street to open the general store, then moved into the current, larger building in 1955. In 1960, the property sold to the Puckett family, who renamed the country store. Puckett’s continued to serve Leiper’s Fork and surrounding area for decades under various owners. A live music venue and popular restaurant since 2002, songwriters, artists and visitors come from around the world to have this authentic Tennessee experience, including the intimate roots, Americana, country, and rock ‘n’ roll shows. Thursday Night Open Mic Night is the stuff of legend, considered by up-and-coming musicians to be the "Ellis Island" into Nashville. This building and its way of life are now back to its original name – Fox & Locke.
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Manchester The historic Coffee County Courthouse and local businesses welcome you to Manchester’s downtown, where an abundance of boutiques, eateries, arts and entertainment will make your experience memorable. The courthouse is home to Joanna Lewis Museum of Coffee County History, which preserves the heritage of Coffee County and Tennessee.
Downtown Tennessee MANCHESTER SHELBYVILLE WARTRACE By Elena Cawley
When you enter the shops, you’ll discover friendly service and wonderful merchandise. Outfits that will enhance your personality and add a bit of sassiness await you at the Southern Diva Boutique. Reese’s Genes Boutique offers women's and children's clothing, seasonal items, home décor and accessories. Nature enthusiasts and lovers of comfortable style, stop by Owen’s Provisions and Apparel.
High Cotton Vintage Home Furnishing is in a gorgeous house at 213 N. Spring St., Manchester, and the boutique is always stocked with beautiful women’s clothing, purses, home furnishings, and unique gifts. You’ll discover a variety of gifts, home décor, furniture, and locally-made goods at the Cracked Pot. The Cracked Pot will give you an enjoyable time browsing and help you decorate your home, making it cozy and maintaining your style. The Mercantile Café serves classic comfort food and freshbaked goods and a hearty portion of hospitality. The recipes feature nature’s best ingredients and made-from-scratch offerings. At Harvest Local Foods, local products adorn the shelves. You’ll find produce and flowers, salsa, bread, meat, handmade crafts, and jewelry. Visit the Manchester Arts Center for arts and entertainment. Local artists display their work at the center and performers brighten up the stage with their talents. The center also offers art classes for children and adults. Manchester is also rich in street art. Vivid murals add colors to walls and enhance the experience of those who lay eyes on them. Artist Tara Aversa’s mural, an American flag in the shape of a magnolia, will inspire you with its patriotic motifs. You’ll often find arts and crafts vendors and music events in downtown Manchester. The square hosts various events, including Coffee County Farmers Market, Manchester Veterans Day Parade, and Christmas Parade.
Shelbyville Shelbyville, Tennessee, is known as a center for the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Home to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, the town is also rich in shopping and dining experiences, arts and entertainment in its downtown area. One of the shops is Marsha’s on the Square. Browse the boutique and appreciate the intricate work of Marsha Shepard, owner of the store and creator of the Marsha de Arriaga label. The store offers high quality English riding apparel and Western attire. Since 2006, Marsha de Arriaga attire has adorned award-winning walking horse riders, as well as famous artists and musicians. For comfortable and stylish women’s clothing and accessories, enter J. Jordan Boutique. The store promises finds that will help you be confident and be different. Stop by Gingham Jellybean for children’s clothing and accessories and friendly service. At the Pomegranate Shoppe, you’ll find home décor and antiques. The blend of aromas from candles will welcome you and provide a pleasant experience in a relaxing atmosphere. You’ll discover cozy eateries serving tasty food. Pope’s Café serves burgers, meat and vegetable dishes and succulent pies. Bocelli’s Pizza and Pasta Shoppe’s menu features delicious items, including handmade pizzas made with secret family recipes. Not only does the restaurant offer amazing meals but it offers a beautiful environment. Art pieces cover the walls, adding a splash of color and artistry to the space.
Browse the shops, enjoy a delicious meal and see a movie. When you visit the Capri Theater, you’ll discover a beautiful Art Deco building and history that goes back to the early 1940s, when it was called the Princess Theatre. The Fly Arts Center provides a stage to talented performers and invites you to see a play and appreciate the exhibits. The center also offers arts and drama classes for children and adults.
Wartrace Green rolling hills will take you to the downtown area of Wartrace, Bedford County, where residents and business owners will greet you with a smile and treat you as a friend. They will entertain you with stories about the rich history of the town, which goes back centuries. The settlement became known as Wartrace Depot when Tennessee's first railroad was built through the county in 1852. Known as the cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse, Wartrace invites you to learn its history and enjoy a unique shopping and dining experience. The town’s historic buildings house shops, filled with handmade treasures and interesting pieces, new and vintage. The stores provide opportunities for local artists to exhibit their artwork, which enhances the visitors’ experience. You will discover cozy eateries, with tasty options on their menus.
People say "Pizza is Life" and if that's the case, The Iron Horse is definitely a place full of life! Specializing in Brick Oven Pizzas, enjoy a bite of their Fat Boy, Low Boy (Vegetarian), Iron Horse, or one of many other specialty pizzas! Or make your own just the way you like it! Doesn't stop there! They have starters and desserts to pair with your Pizza, along with carrying a selection of craft beers to wash it all down! Visit Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum, which documents the history and heritage of the Tennessee Walking Horse. The museum preserves artifacts, documents and photographs and invites you to learn about the rich history of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Not only does the Bellamy Café and Diner offer delicious sandwiches to customers but it offers entertainment. The café provides a stage for musicians from the area. The diner also displays paintings of local artists, adding color and charm to the place. Find vintage pieces, home décor items, and handcrafted gifts at the Rusty Bee. Purchase handmade jewelry to add character to your outfit and candles to add a nice fragrance to your home. Stop by the Shoppes at 31 Main for Wartrace souvenirs, antiques, farmhouse decor, clothing and accessories, Christmas decorations, yard art, and handcrafted items from local artisans. When you enter the Sparrow’s Nest, you will find not only unique gifts, local honey, and jams but a “gathering place for kindred spirits” and free books. Wartrace events, such as the town-wide yard sale and the Wartrace MusicFest, bring talented musicians, food trucks, and games to the downtown area of the historic railroad town.
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