Charleston Favorite Butcher and Bee Is Headed for East Nashville

The common thread between Charleston and Nashville is about to grow that much stronger, as sandwich shop Butcher and Bee now has definite plans to open an outpost in East Nashville. Owner Michael Shemtov tells Eater that a lease was signed just last week for a 3,600 square foot space in the Fluffo Mattress building next to Fat Bottom Brewing. Shemtov himself just saw the property for the first time earlier this week, having taken the space sight unseen:

I gave my agent a list of things we wanted in the space: an historic property, close to downtown, a patio, and we got everything. It's basically in the first major cluster of businesses over the river, so we're really excited.

Wheels started turning on potential plans for an expansion to Nashville last November when Shemtov and his wife took a trip to town. Then to really kick the tires on the city's interest, Butcher and Bee held a two day pop-up in June at Peter Nappi in Germantown; they sold out of everything half-way through their second day of service.

Planning for the restaurant is in the initial phases, with an opening expected "next summer at the earliest." Current Butcher and Bee sous chefs Greg Marks and Chelsey Conrad will move to Nashville as the restaurant's managing partners. Shemtov plans to expand the menu somewhat "to more of what we think will be a fit for Nashville," as well as expand service times, with dinner planned for at least five days a week.