In a display of continued dedication to combating food insecurity in Nashville, country music star Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, are set to open a second location of The Store, a nonprofit grocery store offering free goods to those in need. This new outpost will be nestled on the grounds of TriStar Centennial Medical Center, aiming to widen its scope of support within the community.
Expanding upon the mission they began in 2020 The Paisleys' latest enterprise is expected not only to provide food essentials but will also include emergency clothing for patrons. "When we opened The Store in 2020, we were grateful to be able to help support our neighbors in need through a challenging year, including devastating tornadoes and a global pandemic," the couple said, according to Southern Living. With its innovative model that replicates the traditional grocery shopping experience, The Store assists shoppers in maintaining dignity while accessing much-needed staples.
However, the need is still persistent and pressing. Food insecurity has taken a toll on specific demographics in Davidson County, with rates for children and people identifying as Black or Hispanic surging up six percent since the quarantine periods of COVID-19, a December 2023 Tennessean editorial highlighted. Collen Mayer, CEO of The Store, stated in an exclusive interview with The Tennessean that TriStar Centennial presented the proposal to host a branch, signifying a partnership that Mayer believes logically aligns.
The Paisleys themselves are no strangers to philanthropy, heralding in the Store's second location with a generous $1 million kickstart towards the total $5 million needed for construction. "We are thrilled to announce that The Store will open a second location with our friends at TriStar Centennial to further serve the larger community," the pair expressed in a statement obtained by WSMV. This next phase is set to span across reported double the shopping space of the original site at Belmont University, which assists over 1,000 children, individuals, and families each year, by offering a range of fresh nutrition.
While the couple's contributions are vital, the ultimate fruition of The Store's new chapter hinges on support from the broader community. As the plans for The Store's second venue unfold on the campus of TriStar Centennial Medical Center, the anticipated success of this endeavor might set a precedent for similar initiatives in other cities grappling with the plaguing issue of food scarcity.
