By Selena Haynes
The year 2020 will always resonate in our minds as being the year of either you made it or not if you were a small business. For many, it provided an opportunity to start up their own business. We did. Connect Media Group and our other companies came to fruition.
Because it’s so important to support one another in all aspects of the LGBTQ+ community, we want to make sure that you know about some of the new businesses that have opened since 2020 including a couple slated to open in 2023.
5 POINTS DINER & BAR
5 Points Diner & Bar in East Nashville is for food lovers who enjoy playful cocktails in an upbeat, vibrant environment.
On Tuesdays, play Drag Bingo with host Veronika Electronika. Free to play with fabulous prizes! 5 Points is located at 1016 Woodland St., 37206 and opened in 2022.
CLIFTON & LEOPOLD
A Covid baby, Clifton+Leopold made its debut in Spring 2020.
It was born from a love of classic men’s clothing accessories and the desire to make them more reflective of the world today. A world that’s more diverse, fluid, and empowered. A world where only you can define you, and job one is to build a community you love.
CANVAS
A friendly break from this wild world for any member of the alphabet mafia and
its allies. An LGBTQIA community asset
for 10 years. Great food, good vibes, strong drinks!
A staple of the LGBTQ+ community,
Canvas recently relocated to a suite next
to the new Music City Prep location in
East Nashville, 225 South 11th St.
CONNECT MEDIA GROUP
Connect is an inclusive community and
media brand committed to providing
information and access to resources
for the LGBTQ+ community.
Connect debuted in January 2021. The current portfolio consists of a bi-monthly, digital publication with select print issues, a website and social media.
Connect also hosts community events including an LGBTQ+ Health Fair with the first one in April 2022 and the next scheduled for March 2023.
FLOWERS BY TERYL
Launching earlier this year, Flowers
by Teryl is your go to for beautiful
arrangements and memorable gifts for
any occasion.
It’s located at 208 8th Ave E, Springfield, TN 37172.
INCLUSION TENNESSEE
Debuting in June 2022, Inclusion Tennessee was conceived following a one-year community needs assessment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community throughout middle tennessee in 2019.
This community assessment engaged over two-thousand people throughout the mid-state to gain an understanding of what lgbtqia+ people in this region needed in order to thrive.
LIST IT LLOYD
Combining passion and unmet needs, Lloyd McDonald makes homeownership
accessible to everyone.
MUSIC CITY PREP
Nobody knows PrEP like the Music City PrEP Clinic. We are one of the largest providers of PrEP in the country. Music City Prep recently opened a brand new, state-of-the-art, clinic in East Nashville at 225 South 11th St., Ste #101 A.
NASHVILLE QUEER HISTORY
Nashville Queer History (NQH) is a community organization and digital portal whose mission is to research and share the LGBTQ+ history of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in hopes of inspiring local activism, education, and inclusion.
NQH was founded in September 2021 by public historian Sarah Calise, and now has a group of volunteers and community partners who guide the research and projects.
OZONE CAFE & MARKET
Taking a trip to East Tennessee? Skip Buc-ee’s and head down to exit 329 to Ozone Cafe & Market located at 10092 Hwy 70 E Crab Orchard, 37723. Ally and owner, Leslie Russell Yost, opened Ozone in September 2022. In addition to the boutique and cafe, Ozone has a small dog park for your furry travelers to stretch their legs.
PROHIBITION HOME BREWING
Tennessee’s expert in homebrewing and premium cigars. Flappers and gangsters welcome. Prohibition is located at 906 Ridgely Rd., Murfreesboro, 37129.
S&L SOLUTIONS
S&L Solutions offers custom-tailored and affordable solutions through consultations, strategy planning, implementation and follow-through.
From social media management and website design and maintenance to marketing and public relations, S&L helps small businesses reach their potential and beyond. S&L Solutions is another Covid baby getting its start in September 2020.
TATE OF MIND CONSULTING
Tate of Mind Consulting helps individuals with their career journey, career coaching, resumé/LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and avoiding bias in the job search process.
THE TURNIP TRUCK
While the Turnip Truck has been around since 2001, its third location was opened in 2020 after Covid and the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Nashville created turmoil and potential setbacks for the store opening.
The new store is located in West Nashville at 5001 Charlotte Ave., 37209. The Turnip Truck is Nashville’s only full-service, locally-owned, natural foods grocer.
VOCE SPEECH THERAPY, PLLC
Voce Speech Therapy, founded in 2022, provides functional and highly personalized, adult-centered, Speech-Language Pathology services in your preferred setting. Speech therapy services are offered in its Midtown Nashville office, in your own home, or via telehealth… your choice! Additionally, weekday and weekend appointment times are available.
WAGGIN’ TAILS
Waggin’ Tails is your go-to source for all things pet and animals in Middle Tennessee and beyond! The website and social media were launched in September 2022 with a digital publication in the works for 2023. They will also have the first annual pet fair on April 29, 2023 on the campus of MTSU. Visit BarkintheBoro.com for more information. Waggin’ Tails is owned by S&L Companies, LLC.
DAPPER OWL
Coming in early 2023 to the Boro, Dapper Owl will be your go-to for Frothy Monkey coffee, pub fare, baked goods, craft beer & wine! They are a proud partner of MTSU Athletics and are located at 2412 E Main St. Murfreesboro 37127.
FRANKIE J’S
Opening 2023, Frankie J’s will be your go-to neighborhood gay bar in Germantown where “we don’t milk our bourbon or put mangoes on our tacos.” They will offer Mexican bar food and have a Mexican brunch on weekends. Low key, no loud music – Come on out and have a conversation with authentic food.
