For those of you out there who haven’t experienced Marathon Village, you’re in for a real treat. In fact, there’s so much going on in this historic landmark and former home of long-defunct Marathon Motor Car Company, that we plan to devote a few more posts to help you navigate one of Nashville’s hot beds of cool. In a short stroll around Marathon Village, you’ll find Bang Candy Company, Antique Archeology Nashville, Corsair Distillery, Otis James , Emil Erwin and Lightning 100. And while you’re there, if you want to have some good old fashioned fun, New Orleans “Nawlins” style, you have to check out Moonshine Nettie.
Moonshine Nettie is the newest resident of Marathon Village, but not the last, and certainly, not the least.
Here’s the skinny on Nettie:
Sisters Pat and Sonya Ferguson originally ran a store called Ragin’ Daisy, which was located on Chartres and Dumaine in the French Quarter. They were a somewhat legendary pair, as far as local residents were concerned. Pat muses, “We’re just a couple of girls who love tutus, pantaloons and having fun.”
Photo credit: Ben Mosley
Following the BP Oil Spill, the sisters packed up their bags and headed north. They simply threw up their hands, having survived Katrina and its aftermath. The slick just took them down. Nashville had always been a place they loved, so why not set up shop here, they reasoned. Believe me when I say, New Orleans’ loss is our gain. One visit to their store convinced me that these girls are something special.
Their newest shop is named after their grandmother Nettie, who was some kind of gal to hear the stories. Slicker than Bonnie, faster than Annie, Nettie was smarter than most women of her time.
Located in a quaint bungalow, Moonshine Nettie offers a hint of burlesque, lots of glitter and stories galore. Not only is granny on the front door, Pat and Sonya’s mom crafts her own original (va-va, voom) slips and jackets.
At each turn, there’s a tale behind the merchandise they sell. But the best story is the story of the namesake of their store, Nettie. Nettie, Pat and Sonya’s grandmother, was known to be a ferocious bootlegger. It’s not that she was into booze, but rather, she was into making some cold hard cash. She was one of Mississippi’s most savvy business woman, and she found her niche in the dry counties around Greenville, MS, and didn’t look back.
As Pat told me, the whole family – aunts, uncles and other kin – were into restaurants, bars and selling the magic elixir that was in high demand. Everywhere you look in Nettie’s, you’ll find a nod to their beloved New Orleans and family, from Mom’s slips, to vintage earrings, exclusive perfume lines, and one-of-a-kind accessories. Frida Kahlo would leave her tomb for this place!
If I have piqued your imagination, there’s more to see!
In Los Angeles, Lime Crime is a huge hit. Moonshine Nettie is the first store in the south to carry the line. (If you want to check out their blog, click here.) Another score for Moonshine Nettie is Hove perfumes. Located in New Orleans, Hove was started in 1931 and they only select one store per state to call their own.
Worth noting is this shirt by Ellie Monster. She also moved her operations up from New Orleans to relocate in a factory in Germantown. Made from vintage shirts, her designs are priced from $55-$65.
Moonshine Nettie is located on 615 14th Street. Marathon Village may be hard to find the first time, so be sure to use your GPS! The treasures found here will keep you coming back time and time again! For more information about this kitschy, cool store, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/moonshinenettie.
So many wonderful posts today in other SB sister cities! Pour another cup of coffee and enjoy!
In Atlanta, My Top 10 Favorite Rooms
In Birmingham, Burlap and Bittersweet with Missie Crawford
In Louisville, 
Halloween Decor Courtesy of Pinterest
