Monell’s Last Day: Tearful Goodbyes and Questions for the Future
On Sunday, a beloved Nashville institution, Monell’s on the Manor swung its doors shut for the final time at the unconventional hour of 4:00 p.m. The decision was solidified earlier in the year when the lease was not renewed by the airport, the current owner of the beloved property.
A Homely Farewell
The popular Southern cuisine restaurant was thronged with hundreds of visitors on its final day. Both regulars and occasional visitors alike took their time to savor the distinct homestyle cooking one last time and admired the historic architecture of the building. This community favorite has been a cornerstone of local life and history, with its origins rooted in the 19th century.
The structure began its life in 1893, and witnessed diverse transitions from a private club to a seafood restaurant, before finding its identity as Monell’s – a loved and much-frequented Southern food haunt. “It means a lot to me, ever since I was a little girl. Before it even became Monell’s,” voiced Avis Adkins, a long-standing patron.
An Uncertain Future
While patrons were saddened by the closure, many were left with lasting questions about the future of this historic building. “This last day I had to bring my camera and get some parting shots,” expressed Matt Mulroy, another customer. “It’s a disappearing past. It seems a shame for something with this historic significance to be lost.”
According to Michael King, the owner of Monell’s, there is no clarity about what lies in the future for the building. Neither demolition nor moving the building physically has been ruled out. In the meantime, the property sits on the airport’s ground, awaiting further news about its fate. The Mayor’s office, said Councilman Russ Bradford, had initiated discussions with groups aligned with preservation and are exploring possibilities for funds to aid the preservation process.
“It’s a part of history that’s going to be gone, and I think we need to preserve our history. It’s not about Monell’s closing that location, it’s about the history that is about to see the wrecking ball,” muses regular customer Jackie Zimmerman.
In the midst of the gloom, however, is a small ray of light for the devoted patronage Monell’s enjoys. Its original location in Germantown still functions as normal and is open for visitors to soak in some history and enjoy the unique Southern flavors that this enduring institution has been known for.