The iconic Nashville eatery Monell's at the Manor is putting up a fight to preserve the historic mansion that has been its home, as the Nashville Airport Authority has signaled plans to demolish the building after the restaurant's lease expires; this decision has sparked a community effort to save the landmark, FOX 17 reported.
According to WKRN News 2, the Metro Nashville Airport Authority does not intend to renew Monell's lease, which puts the future of the Colemere Mansion, a site that's been offering Southern cuisine since 2011, in jeopardy; the mansion's history goes back to the early 1930s following a fire that destroyed the original structure, with the Colemere Mansion then emerging as a social hub, a speakeasy that drew politicians and musicians in the 1940s, boasting a storied past that deeply resonates with locals and visitors alike, having once served as the unofficial center of power in Nashville.
An employee at Monell's lamented the potential loss, telling FOX 17, "It takes you back to a time where things were better." The establishment has seen its share of celebratory moments, having hosted numerous wedding celebrations and anniversary milestones over the decades.
The community is rallying around the cause, with the restaurant's officials reaching out through social media, linking to a page dedicated to saving the manor, highlighting its significance and urging for support; the mansion, originally built in the 1800s before the abovementioned fire led to the construction of its successor, has long been more than just a restaurant but a tangible piece of Nashville history where past presidents were once among its guests as well as figures from across the globe, drawing together a diverse group who cherished the ambiance it provided, as noted by Brian Mansfield, vice president of Historic Nashville Inc., in an interview with WKRN News 2.
The effort to save the mansion is ongoing, with an appeal to the public's sense of historical preservation and a plea to the authorities to reconsider the decision to bring down Colemere Mansion, encapsulating a narrative that has resonated with the people of Nashville and well beyond its city limits, as highlighted by a post by Nashville Experience.
