Abernathy Road Opens on Second Avenue

Abernathy Road invites all StyleBluePrint readers to their Grand Opening Party tonight!  Keep reading to see why you really should go.

Abernathy Road officially opened today across from the Wildhorse Saloon on Second Avenue, as the new outpost for Col. Littleton’s goods. If you’re like me, your first question is, “Who is Colonel Littleton?”  He is actually a real person: imagine a mix between the Marlboro man (sans cigarettes), one of Teddy Roosevelt’s rough riders and Kevin Costner in Dancing with the Wolves.  Bundle that up and you’ve got one appealing guy.  His products are held in high esteem by up-scale retailers all over America.  His tagline says it best: “purveyors of fine accoutrements in the American tradition.”

To give you some idea of his notoriety, Bill Clinton carries his bone-handled knife, Robert Redford sells his leather goods in the Sundance Catalog and Presidents for years have cherished his whimsical leather flyswatter.  But here’s the best part: Col. Littleton is headquartered in Lynnville, TN, just down the road in our own Giles County!  In fact, he is the largest employer in town and probably the county.  His products connect you emotionally to small town America back when American products had value.  Imagine a time when grandfathers handed down their favorite knife or pocket-watch because it was a family heirloom and something  treasured.  Col. Littleton often muses, “Would we ever leave our kids a cell phone or laptop?”

Now back to the new store, Abernathy Road, and its darlin’ co-owner Brett Francovich. I drove down towards lower Broadway thinking to myself, “Why doesn’t downtown Nashville get it?  We need more great restaurants, interesting stores that don’t sell guitar toenail clippers, perhaps a wine bar?”  Thinking that Abernathy Road was a step up from a honky- tonk, I peered in the window.  As I studied the store with its exquisite oriental rugs and walls of exposed brick and mortar, I thought, “Now this isn’t your typical tourist trap.” I walked in and found myself surrounded by objects of beauty:  gorgeous leather coats, hand crafted satchels, knives with bone handles, wooden cases filled with watches, wallets and treasures at every glance.  There are racks of great casual shirts and tables filled with ties, each with their own signature nod to the outdoor theme of the store, plus every item has a special connection to Tennessee manufacturers.  Home grown couldn’t get anymore real than this store.

Back to Brett. ”So, what is the deal here?” I inquired.  “How did you end up the owner of this fabulous store?” Well, I’ve never walked in a Goody’s in my life, but Brett did, right before graduating as a student from U.T. Knoxville.  He landed an internship with Goody’s; they saw his genius and promoted him up the ranks to  head merchandiser and designer of their private label.  His desire to avoid the clothing business in LA and New York led him to leave Goody’s and make his way to Nashville, the 3rd largest entertainment center in the U.S.  His secret weapon as a new store owner is his understanding of every aspect of the clothing and retail business from concept to completion.  Working his way up the corporate ladder at Goody’s prepared him well for the task at hand.  Brett is both passionate and enthusiastic about Abernathy Road and its future.  One step in Abernathy Road explains why.

So for all you adventurous types, here is your chance to meet Brett and as a very special treat meet the famous Col. Littleton.

Abernathy Road invites all StyleBlueprint readers to their Grand Opening Party.

Nashville: Thursday, May 7th
What: Abernathy Road Launch Party
Where:  123 2nd Avenue North
Time: 5 :00 – 7:30 PM
Complimentary Valet Parking
Party Tips: Frontier Cocktails and Campfire Canapes

Benefitting: 5% of sales for one week, May 7-14 will be donated to the Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America and Soles4Souls

For more information, email barefootcontessa1@comcast.net

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