12South

Josephine is located in 12South along a major shopping thoroughfare, so it's a nice spot to keep in mind before or after an afternoon spent in the neighborhood's boutiques. During the day, light streams in through wide garage windows, and the space is airy and bright—in the evenings, the lights are dim, and the leather banquettes make it a nice, romantic date-night spot. The menu has a little bit of everything, from an excellent whole chicken for two to small plates (don't leave without trying the pretzel bread).

Owned by Holly Williams, this old-time mercantile occupies an abandoned filling station, which adds to the overall effect. Here, you’ll find a smattering of groceries, plus irresistible home goods, from cookbooks to candles to linens, and a small but mighty beauty section, which conveniently includes the goop organic skin-care line. There's a second location in Franklin.

Hailing from Henderson, Kentucky, Matt and Carrie Eddmenson—childhood friends and now a married couple—worked together in Carrie’s family business, developing denim collections for brands like Rogan, Earnest Sewn, Seven, J.Brand, etc. They moved to Nashville in May 2009 and opened a magical store that we were lucky to visit. The store sells handpicked denim from select brands like A.P.C., choice vintage pieces like cowboy leather jackets and boots, scarves hand-dyed by Carrie’s brother in India, and Imogene + Willie brand bespoke jeans, made of tough denim that you have to work into. After a few months, they guarantee you will have a soft pair that fits you and only you and bears the marks of your wear. (For the less hard-core denim buyers, you can also purchase a pre-softened, pre-“lived-in” pair.)

Always bustling with students, freelancers, and passersbys, this cozy shop sprawls through asmall house including a porch, which is lovely in the summer. Come early for coffee, workthrough the afternoon and finish the day with their stellar dinner options. There are several other locations throughout the city, including Downtown and the Nations.