Brad Paisley Expands a New Free Grocery Store for North Nashville.

Five years ago, country music star Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, embarked on a mission to address food insecurity in Nashville. They envisioned a place where those in need could shop with dignity, without the stigma often associated with receiving assistance. In 2019, that vision became a reality when they broke ground on The Store, a free grocery store designed to offer a variety of groceries to Nashville residents facing food insecurity.

Now, after five years filled with unforeseen challenges and remarkable success, Paisley is ready to expand this initiative by opening a second location in North Nashville. "We’re going to open another location as soon as we get all the T’s crossed and I’s dotted," Paisley shared with attendees at last month’s CEO Roundtable awards, according to the Nashville Business Journal. He emphasized the importance of providing "groceries with dignity," contrasting this with the traditional charity model where people receive handouts in a less personal manner. "We envisioned something completely different, where all of the sting of the indignity, that comes with really your kids seeing you in this precarious position,” Paisley said.

The Store officially opened its doors on March 12, 2020, but its first days were far from ordinary. Just ten days before the opening, a deadly tornado outbreak struck Nashville, leaving over 70,000 residents without power. Despite these circumstances, The Store managed to assist those affected by the disaster, even while operating at limited capacity. This was just the beginning of a series of challenges that would test the resilience and adaptability of The Store’s team.

Barely recovering from the tornado’s aftermath, The Store faced another unprecedented challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic. As Tennessee implemented a shelter-in-place order, The Store had to quickly pivot from its original in-person shopping model. Brad and Kimberly, along with their team, developed a pandemic program overnight, offering curbside pickup and home delivery services, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable populations. This model, which operated for the next 17 months, became a lifeline for many Nashville residents.

Through it all, the Paisleys remained committed to their original vision of service. The challenges only deepened their resolve to teach their children about the importance of helping others. "We’ve got to get them into service and get them out of their bubble, and help them understand that there are hungry people in the world," Kimberly Williams-Paisley shared on The Store’s website.

The Store's services have expanded over time to include more than just groceries. It now offers comprehensive support solutions such as counseling, budgeting, cooking classes, and even services like literacy programs, pet care, back-to-school support, and music therapy. In November 2023, The Store added a toy store just in time to help families during the holiday season. This addition allowed parents to pick out gifts their children truly wanted, alleviating the emotional burden of the holidays for those struggling financially. "The emotional aspect of being able to give your child something your child wanted versus just something to sort of get you through the holidays, that’s such a load off the minds of somebody who maybe didn’t think they were going to be able to do that," Paisley said.

As Brad Paisley looks to the future, his commitment to serving Nashville’s community remains unwavering. The planned expansion of The Store to North Nashville is a testament to the success of the original concept and the ongoing need for such services in the area. By providing groceries with dignity, the Paisleys are not just feeding people; they are fostering a sense of community and respect that is crucial in times of need.

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