The Gulch has a mix of national chains and locally owned stores, with the local options being the more interesting half of the equation.
Carter Vintage Guitars is the most Nashville-specific shop in the Gulch. It is one of the better vintage guitar dealers in the country, with a rotating inventory of instruments that draws serious musicians and collectors. If you have any interest in guitars, this is worth a browse regardless of whether you are buying.
Nashville Boot Co. sells cowboy boots, which is one of the more honest shopping purchases you can make in Nashville. Getting a pair of boots in the Gulch carries more local credibility than buying them in a tourist shop on Broadway.
Two Old Hippies is a boutique carrying clothing, gifts, and accessories with a Southern rock-and-roll aesthetic. It is one of the more distinctive local retail options in the neighborhood.
Kittenish is a women’s fashion boutique with a Nashville-focused sensibility, popular with the neighborhood’s young professional resident population.
Hatch Show Print is not technically in the Gulch but is close enough to include in any conversation about the neighborhood’s arts-and-craft retail ecosystem. It is the legendary letterpress print shop at 224 5th Avenue South, a short drive or rideshare from the Gulch, where you can watch the printing process and buy limited-edition concert posters.
National chains in the Gulch include Patagonia, Lululemon, Lucchese (Western wear), Urban Outfitters, DSW, and Nordstrom Rack. Their presence reflects the neighborhood’s upscale demographics, even if they do not make the Gulch particularly distinctive.
Turnip Truck Urban Fare functions as both a specialty grocery store and a prepared-food destination. It sources locally and has a hot bar, salad bar, and juice bar that serve the neighborhood’s health-conscious resident population. It is more interesting as a food stop than as a conventional shopping destination.
The shopping in the Gulch is most rewarding if you focus on Carter Vintage Guitars, Nashville Boot Co., and the independent boutiques rather than treating the neighborhood as a mall. The malls are elsewhere in Nashville (Green Hills, Opry Mills). The Gulch’s retail is best when it is specific to place.
Sources
- St. Louis Magazine, “Where to eat, play, and stay in Nashville’s Gulch,” stlmag.com
- StyleBlueprint, “Your Guide to The Gulch Nashville,” styleblueprint.com
- Expedia, “Visit The Gulch,” expedia.com
- nashvillesmls.com, The Gulch living guide
- explorethegulch.com