Imogene and Willie

Posted on Apr 16, 2010

Now that I have de-compressed from my stint in Nashville, I have been reflecting on some of the very cool and cold, but mainly cool times I have had in Nashville.  Nashville was a town I went to with no pre-existing expectations, no personal references as what I might expect.  No, I went with a blank slate of a mind and left myself open to check out that town for all it’s good and bad I might happen to experience.  The reality was it was almost 90% good.  I know that’s saying a lot, but it was a pretty neat town.  I never found myself for want while I was there.  Coming from Los Angeles, and working in many towns across the United States as well as more in the South, I had an inkling as to some of the vibe, yet in Nashville I was always a bit blown away.  The food was as you’d expect, great, fattening Southern goodness.  However that’s wasn’t all I found.  I found more wine bars than I do in my own neighborhood in the South Bay.  I even found a Mexican Gourmet Popsicle shop in Nashville, say that ten times. (Las Paletas, 2907 12th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37204-2545 (615) 386-2101.

One place that I definitely want to mention if you ever get the chance is a spot that was right down the street from my condo rental.   I passed it at least a dozen times, wondering what was in the vintage service station’s facade. It was called Imogene and Willie’s.  One day I ventured in and wow, what a concept.  Stepping inside was like visiting the Willie Wonka of vintage clothing.  There were heavy duty sewing machines buzzing away, a rather huge Labrador lounging on a well worn leather sofa.  Peppered all around the shop were the coolest collection of jeans, hats, leather goods and shoes both new and old I had ever seen.   All of the “Old” were completely rew0rked, re-soled, yet still maintained their vintage patina that only years of love and abuse could dish out.   These were no posers, these were artisans who were well versed in the techniques of denim and leather craftsmanship.   I eyed a pair of vintage work boots which I now covet, the salesman told me about the boots, which I had never seen anywhere else.   He also told me that the older they get, the better.  Even if the soles wear down to a bare minimum the factory will replace and refurbish the boots.   That made the $500 plus dollar price tag a little more palatable.  But that’s not all they do at Imogene and Willie’s.  It’s a cool concept shop that you instantly feel at home in.  They even have a happy hour during warmer months.  I put it at the top of the list of places you must stop in while in Nashville.  IMOGENE & WILLIE, 2601 12th avenue south
Nashville, Tn 37204
615-292-5005
11 – 7 monday – friday
11 – 6 saturday

As for Nashville, there will be more to come on the Cool-list I assure you.