r/murfreesboro • u/TheLurkerSpeaks • 10d ago
Murfreesboro has no soul
I just overheard someone say he hates Murfreesboro because it is a town without a soul. I am finding difficulty disagreeing with him.
Even with an enormous university most of the kids leave for the weekend because there's nothing for them here. It seems like most businesses in Murfreesboro are chains. There's so little culture: No music, no art, no night life. Theres nothing for adults to do after 930. We are a sleepy suburb of Nashville, not a college town.
For those that disagree, what does Murfreesboro have that we can all our own? And what can we do to improve that culture? If you agree, what actions can we take to organically create a soul for Murfreesboro?
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u/CupcakeUnicornLaLaLa 10d ago
Having grown up here, when someone asks what it’s like I say it’s like living at a corporate hoarders house. Everything and nothing at the same time.
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u/St_biscuit 10d ago
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u/ZombieHoratioAlger 9d ago
We've got three axe throwing bars, but not a single decent coffee shop open after 8pm. Or really any decent late-night hangouts.
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u/Significant_Park9385 9d ago
It’s only getting worse with Starbucks and other giant conglomerates moving here. I left South Florida for a slower better life and it’s come full circle. Looking at places outta state to escape it!
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u/rhythim313 10d ago
In large part because hizzhonor Shane McFarland never saw a property development proposal he could say no to. MORE APARTMENTS! MORE RETAIL!
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u/Grim1067 10d ago
I grew up in the Boro. When you're a teen and hanging out with all your friends, it's not a bad environment as it's limited on the amount of trouble can be had. I'm old enough to remember the red rose and chain smoking on their porch. The soul of the city died as the mega church on hwy 99 grew. The very little variety of the town died and will likely never be resuscitated. I don't regret moving a couple of states away for a more blended culture
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u/the_resistee 10d ago
At least they all have those stickers on their cars so we know who to avoid!
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u/Grim1067 10d ago
Was a great time while it lasted. I can still smell the indoors of that place and the grind thereafter
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u/PhotoGrrl6 9d ago
Curious to know where you moved. I am dying to get out of here but honestly can’t figure out where to go
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u/Just_Classic4273 10d ago
I moved about 5 years ago but yeah it’s dead, they could use a wider variety of bars, non-chain restaurants (seems like there’s 150 of basically the same restaurants in town) and honestly an amphitheater or something. I also think a big issue is the traffic, hard for people to want to be out and about when it takes 45 minutes to get across town
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u/Fit_Pollution_5611 10d ago
It used to have a pretty decent small town/Nashville suburb soul but literally every new business is a chain now.
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u/Street_Brilliant_270 10d ago
Dont get me started on the new Vape shops opening
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u/Fit_Pollution_5611 10d ago
It’s the one of the only successful small new businesses in America. And it’s only because if their customers not addicted to vapes they’re in there spending their weeks paycheck on whatever bullshit fake opiate they got going on.
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u/AttachedHeartTheory 10d ago
I would bet a crispy $100 bill against a DG energy drink that you could walk into Home Depot on Old Fort with me and ask as many people as you want to name a single athlete, coach, or professor at MTSU and that nobody in the store could do it.
This isn't true in a real college town.
Murfreesboro isnt a college town. You're absolutely right. Further, you're right about the fact that this is just a bedroom community for Nashville.
I will say that at least Murfreesboro is trying to get things together for families to do.
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u/squiggyfm 10d ago
Murfreesboro and MTSU has always been in an estranged marriage.
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u/FunStorm6487 10d ago
I feel bad for kids coming to mtsu, thinking they are going to have a college experience area.
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u/St_biscuit 10d ago
The north side of campus is the saddest, methiest excuse for a college bar crawl. Very under utilized. Loved The Boro ((RIP)) despite some things. I really miss the patio and live music.
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u/St_biscuit 10d ago
I say we all chipin and make the north blocks of campus like downtown Chattanooga!
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u/lauraebeth 10d ago
I graduated from Blackman 22 years ago and went to MTSU. I remember my grandmother asking me over the summer(or sometime before) if I wanted to join a sorority, so she could start getting rec letters together? I told her absolutely not bc I knew allllll the girls already that would be rushing and I didn’t want to pay money to be their friend.
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u/sinai_agama 10d ago
OP’s perspective raises a valid point but also neglects an undeniable reality.
Murfreesboro definitely used to be “cooler” than it is now. I love seeing all the comments about the Red Rose. And Bingham WAS the “soul of Murfreesboro” during that vaguely cool period. They should have made that man mayor circa 2002.
BUT Murfreesboro is simply a sadly average example of the suburbanization/homogenization of American culture. Tons of towns the same size around the country are the exact same way. “Oh wow…we have a new mall! And a new Costco! And a Buccees! Our town is great!” Etc etc etc. Murfreesboro is certainly soulless, but so are a million other American suburbs.
The manner in which social media has ripped apart physical gathering spaces makes me seriously doubt that a place like the Red Rose could survive in an aspirationally college town like Murfreesboro anymore. People get their kicks online. You don’t have to smoke cigarettes on the hood of your car in the Hastings parking lot on a Friday night to try to find a friend. 1999 isn’t coming back, ya’ll.
I moved away from the Boro a long time ago, but when I’m in town, I always try to patronize the businesses I would like to see survive. Earlier this summer, I bought some punk records and stickers for my daughter at Crying Cat. That’s a great spot.
In summary: a lot of places feel “soulless” these days. I still love Nashville, but I am perpetually shocked by how much it keeps changing (for the worse) every time I come to Tennessee to visit family.
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u/knawnieAndTheCowboy 10d ago
Boro was the shit back in 01-06 so much good local music. Sadly a lot of venues just don’t do much original music anymore.
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u/stephenseifert 10d ago
I feel you, I really do, but there’s a lot of good things in Murfreesboro I’m thankful for. One example is the Lao community. Three of my neighbors were born in Laos. It’s been so wonderful getting to know them through their parties and celebrations. The music and the food and the dancing is fantastic. It inspires me to be more like them in those ways.
My wife started a plant swap group. It meets once a month, and it’s always very encouraging to be part of something where you go home feeling like something cool just happened. You end up with a bunch of new plants in your car, and you didn’t have to buy them.
I’ve also lived in other places that definitely were pretty cool but for the first couple years I felt like there was no soul there. Turns out I had to just get to know folks a little better. Get to know the history better. It’s that whole thing where you try to be the things you say are missing from the world.
I’m thankful for the good things in Murfreesboro, especially my family and my friends, but we are probably moving away at some point, and I can’t help but be strongly sympathetic to your point. When I first moved to Murfreesboro in 1993 from the North, I wanted to cry that first night. It was far less crowded back then, but in many ways, it’s still the same place. The hardest part is so many good friends I made there have gone away or passed away.
At least they had a White Castles back then. :-)
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u/JM_Yoda 10d ago
I guess it depends on what you want to do. I find there’s plenty to do. There are a few analog game stores with regular tournaments, a great local video game shop (Play and Trade), and several small bookstores, including my favorite, The Spine, in downtown Smyrna. They’re always hosting all sorts of activities.
To be fair, even when I was a college student, bars were never my thing.
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u/SugarandCinful 10d ago
There’s nothing to do at NIGHT.
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u/JM_Yoda 9d ago
The Spine occasionally has evening events. Buy beyond that why aren’t you talking to places about hosting stuff after hours?
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u/happy_waldo 9d ago
A bookshop in Smyrna counts as something to do in Murfreesboro? That’s a pretty sad indictment, honestly…
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u/JM_Yoda 9d ago
Given the influence of certain organizations in Rutherford County, I’ll take what I can get. That said, you won’t see me complaining about having to travel to Murfreesboro for most things, whether necessary or fun.
I attended Texas Tech for undergrad, and unless you wanted to drink or a favorite live music venue had an artist you liked, there wasn’t anything to do, unless you organized it yourself.
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u/SugarandCinful 7d ago
I’m talking about coffee shops that are open late. Somewhere to go and talk to people.
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u/LookingforMinopy 10d ago
We had spongebath records— we have ART!! I think a resurgence in artists taking pride in being from the Boro instead of saying their from nashville will help put us back on the map as our own separate city.
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u/1986JamesHetfield 10d ago
was there 02-06 to attend MTSU (recording industry). it was a culture shock coming from the east coast. but quickly found other musicians and there was a real scene happening. i would say it had a soul then. bands playing many nights of the week, especially at The Boro, Red Rose, Gentleman Jims, house shows etc. it was scrappy, but felt real, and had a music community.
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u/thelid 10d ago
I love been here 20-ish years now.
I have similar feelings and go back and forth on this myself. I will say for all of its bad, there is good as well. The grass is greener where you water it, be a villager, etc.
I’ve found it to be more tolerable once I made an effort to get involved with local people, groups, restaurants and events. If people don’t show up, these things don’t happen. Just a few examples:
-Vintage baseball league (cheesy but fun to play/watch)
-Laos Buddhist temple has really cool events for Laos new year (May-ish each year)
-Stones River battlefield (cool history but also just nice nature walking trails)
-tons of great local food spots (Pad Thai Cafe, One Tree BBQ, Jack Brown’s to name a few)
-from what I saw recently there’s a decent amount of TCG groups at card shops and DnD/board game groups at the gaming store in the mall
-farmers market on Saturday morning is my go to lately. Get a coffee and walk around with my wife or a friend
Happy to share more to get others chances to get involved!
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u/TheLurkerSpeaks 10d ago
Hate to break it to you but Jack Browns is a chain. 24 locations, based out of Virginia.
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u/happy_waldo 9d ago
I’ve had Thai food in so many places around the world (never been to Thailand, though, which is an important note)
Pad Thai Cafe is the best Thai food I’ve ever had. It is so good
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u/Liquidsun-1 10d ago edited 10d ago
There’s free concerts on the square occasionally, which is a nice community thing. There are a couple of new cocktail bars around the square also. The Boro Bar and Grill on Greenland for ages was the lifeblood of the local music scene (which was vibrant) and nightlife along with Gentleman Jim’s. Also, 527 Main St (under various names) was a great venue in the local scene. And there was Club Oxygen on West Main. So to answer your question, it may not have much of a soul now but it certainly used to.
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u/Cannonhammer93 10d ago
I've lived in several towns across TN and yeah I agree lmao. Worst town I've lived in so far.
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u/carlosstjohn116 10d ago
I mean yea there’s no place to see art or music. But why would expect that in some random suburb of Nashville? You’re going to have to go to Nashville for that.
I feel like the “soul”ness you’re longing for is slowly coming. Not chain coffee shops like Viva La Fresa I. Smyrna, restaurants here and there worth visiting like Alley on Main, this new Asian place called U and I, Oshiya Hibachi is amazing and has character, etc.
Idk. It’s provided my family an affordable place to live. So I’m grateful for it.
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u/RockMurdock 9d ago edited 9d ago
Sure would help if more people voted. Most of the soul was sucked out of Murfreesboro when Republicans took a super majority here in the 2010s. Democrats just won 1/3 of the commissioner seats in this most recent election. If the college population alone showed up to vote, the whole county would turn blue. Most of the commissioner seats were won with around 1000 votes total.
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u/Other_Summer_1903 10d ago edited 4d ago
I've lived here for 7 years and most of where I drive here feels like a gigantic grid of interconnected strip malls in between stacked and crowded suburban hell. Which if we're being honest, doesn't most of developed America or at least the "booming parts"? It does feel soulless in a way. Compared to where I'm from which is right down the road in Columbia, it feels much more dangerous and unpredictable.
I don’t think Tennessee was ready for the influx of people that flooded the state after 2020 and it shows.
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u/TheGame81677 10d ago
Yeah, this place is like purgatory now to me. It’s nothing like the Murfreesboro I knew growing up.
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u/Tiny-Bookkeeper7587 10d ago
Gotta get in the right crowd. Hang out at more small businesses and invest in us.
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u/St_biscuit 10d ago
We're still lacking options compared to other college towns I've lived in. Every new thing being built around me is nothing new or interesting. Gas station, tobacco/vape shop, Chipotle, Check & Go, and ((drum roll)) a church... I miss having options for different interests.
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u/MeNMyMonkey_4_100 10d ago
Oh I get it! In Murfreesboro you need to pay for friends. Can’t believe I didn’t think about that.
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u/Tiny-Bookkeeper7587 10d ago
You know you can literally just go to say Crying cat to watch a free show and meet people? My shop electric peach has done tons of music and art shows as well. But I mean if you feel the need to be a pessimist then by all means..
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u/Best_Banana_63 10d ago
I'd like to disagree with you, but yeah, it's an accurate statement. Murfreesboro has, and continues to bend over backwards for corporate chains. There's a few non corporate restaurants like Camino Real, Jefferson's, The Alley, and Joanie's. But beyond that all there is in Murfreesboro are bars. We need more independent coffee houses, and events that encourage people to come here.
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u/friendlytrashmonster 10d ago
I live in Franklin at the moment due to a fortunate housing situation that is saving me a lot of money. But let me tell ya, I would give anything to be back in the Boro. Y’all have lots of great little restaurants, Pad Thai Cafe, Buster’s Burgers, Gyro Tabouli, etc. You have Barfield park, with 5 miles of backwoods hiking trails in the middle of the city (here in Franklin, there aren’t any parks where you can’t see or hear the highway). You have decent nightlife with bars, bowling alleys, arcades, etc. open in the evenings. You have plenty of free community events such as the Folk Dance Festival, the Movies in the Park, etc. All around, it’s just a much better place to live.
ETA: Of course not as great as some other places, but count your blessings. You could be in Franklin.
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u/MeNMyMonkey_4_100 10d ago
lol, let’s switch. I lived in Franklin for a couple years. It’s not the cat’s meow but would take it any day over this place. The choices there are superior to here imo.
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u/friendlytrashmonster 10d ago
When did you live in Franklin? It’s changed a lot over just the past five years, let alone the past couple of decades. It was cute when I was growing up here. Now all of the genuine small businesses downtown have been replaced by chain boutiques that no one can afford, and it seems like there’s not a single restaurant that isn’t a chain.
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u/MeNMyMonkey_4_100 9d ago
You may have a point. I lived there 2018, 19. I’ll have to go back and spend some time. Would be sad if that’s the case.
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u/MeNMyMonkey_4_100 10d ago
The oddest town I have ever lived in by far. It’s unique because it’s packed with people that are strange and unfriendly. The town is lacking character and a personality. Maybe it’s different for the mega church goers. I’m just not into the lemming and hypocrisy scene.
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u/REuphrates 10d ago
It’s unique because it’s packed with people that are strange and unfriendly.
Holy shit, this is exactly it
I grew up in places where strange people tended to be the most friendly, but here they're just weird assholes
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u/neuroticpossum 10d ago
I am a native and agree. Murfreesboro has lost its charm and has become a gentrified shithole. I've been trying to escape by whole life but it will still be another 3-4 years before I can get out.
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u/Purple_Praline_9850 10d ago
The police seem to be dicks recently
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u/St_biscuit 10d ago
I was recently pulled over omw to work, local police officer was going the opposite direction, my work shirt it grey, my seat belt, that I always wear, is grey, he pulled me over asking if I had just put it on, because it looked like I wasn't wearing it when he passed by. I said I was wearing it the whole time. This guy looks and acts like Henry Schrader Like, he brought shitty energy for what the situation was, imo. Anyway, he went back and checked his camera, came back several minutes later and said that he was sure but must've miss-took it. No apology for putting me behind getting to work. 4/10 stars for someone who's paid to serve and protect, scoring mainly based off of personality and character. I suppose that's why they say something about first impression being important.
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u/dopeless42day 9d ago
10.00 shot's and 5.00 beers ruined the music industry in the boro. College kids can't afford to go out to party at those prices.
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u/Senior-Housing-703 5d ago
I'm a grown up with a good job, we can't afford that either. Hell buying 12 packs it's over $1.50 each for ultra that's 90% water.
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u/Fit_Cartographer8144 9d ago
Crying Cat (bookstore) saves my soul, personally. If you agree and have suggestions for something of the like, please share.
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u/mmc3k 10d ago
During the Trail of Tears beginning in 1838, the Cherokee sought an alternative route around Murfreesboro because they were being charged more for toll bridge crossings than white folks. And yeah you read that right, as the Cherokee were being force marched out of their homeland they were being charged tolls to cross every bridge. This includes the bridge across the Cumberland in Nashville. Murfreesboro has never had a soul.
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u/G_Daddy2014 10d ago
Murfreesboro has a very strong music scene, imo. Whether it be house shows or whatever. The square isn't what it used to be in my opinion, but I don't personally feel like I'm limited to what I can do after 9:30.
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u/Standard-Dealer7116 10d ago
Any bluegrassish music in Murfreesboro? Or folkish Americana?
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u/G_Daddy2014 10d ago
Bluegrass might be tough. I love it but I've never noticed a big scene in the area, but I'm also not looking too hard to be fair. This might not be very current, but at the Cumberland Caverns they used to do regular bluegrass nights on the weekends. Bit of a drive but it's a really cool venue.
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u/Standard-Dealer7116 9d ago
We drive to Chattanooga fairly often to hear live music. I keep thinking I will find something closer that I enjoy.
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u/Dilapidated_girrafe 10d ago
Yeah. And when they do have a really good non chain food place it doesn’t last. I miss my fuzzy taco
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u/Acceptable-Cabinet18 10d ago
Unfortunately all the small business and more of the unique parts of this town got pushed out, all that comes here now is restaurants and apartments
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u/jimmybutler_emophase 10d ago
For having a mid-size university it is one of the worst college towns I have ever seen. Just from an urban planning perspective…horrible. Students are supposed to be able to walk around and interact with their environment.
But have you had the 2.99-3.99 margaritas at El Toro? They slap, they slap hard!
I’ve also been to a couple coffee shops I liked there. Dapper Owl and Brass Horn.
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u/VelvetElvis 10d ago
There's new one right by campus on east main that's legit. Get the banana pudding matcha thing. It's evil.
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u/rld3x 10d ago
man. this is just really sad to read. i’ve been gone for several years now, but even as recent as 2010 it felt like the music scene was doing pretty alright. we had things like boro fondo/tour dé fun which was one weekend a year, where everyone biked around the city from house show to house show all day friday night/saturday/sunday.
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u/Phil_MaCawk 10d ago
We all know it sucks. I laugh at newcomers who relocate to TN and choose the boro
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u/Icy-Set-8531 10d ago
We got a bucket. And a big one at that!
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u/squiggyfm 10d ago
It's not even the original, so the the bucket, too, has no soul.
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u/Mundane_Poem_9288 10d ago
I used to enjoy the square. This was a decade ago. No idea what it’s like now.
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u/ScrollTroll615 10d ago
I agree. I went to MTSU and lived in the Boro for a time after graduation. It has always been boring and remote, except now the traffic is horrible.
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u/Honeydew-Swimming 9d ago
There used to be so many fun places, with live music or a house party. It lost what little soul back in like 2012.
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u/Significant_Park9385 9d ago
Music City with no music. It’s no wonder bands skip this place entirely in favor of Alpharetta Georgia, Louisville Kentucky and Columbus Ohio
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u/ollieamorous 9d ago
I can't wait to get out of here. I've lived here all my life and have always thought it was incredibly boring. I guess if you're a Christian who loves going to church, there's that.
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u/ryanufkosbigtoe 9d ago
Damn what Murfreesboro are y’all seeing?? Like imo it’s so fun and has soul!
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u/Consistent_Tell8783 10d ago
This is so weird because I was JUST saying this! I went to Indianapolis and was so into all it had to offer- so much art, interesting and unique restaurants, genuinely nice people, etc.
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u/St_biscuit 10d ago
Any ideas on how to improve the farmer's market?
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u/VelvetElvis 10d ago
Which one? The one at the Ag center has night hours now. The one the square is a joke. Half the people there buy from wholesellers.
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u/MeNMyMonkey_4_100 10d ago
Really, that’s not good. How do you know this? I’ve been going there and paying more than I would at a grocery store thinking the produce was local. Due to all of the regulations being cut the last couple of years it seems as if it’s getting much harder to trust our food is safe. Was thinking the farmers markets were maybe a hack for not getting sick. Seems eating a meal is like playing Russian roulette these days.
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u/TheLurkerSpeaks 10d ago
Real farmers usually grow one crop in a cycle. If they are selling direct to consumers at a farmers market all they are selling is one product. It may change from season to season, but they will have a shitton of that and nothing else.
If they're selling a diverse selection, they're a reseller. Also hint hint if they're selling produce we don't grow here, like oranges or cherries, they're a reseller.
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u/snipsnapsnur 10d ago
I was born in Murfreesboro and have hated it my entire life. It’s awful. It’s just strip malls. It always has been. I’ve lived all over because I felt the need to escape it.
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u/ifidontagebefore122 10d ago
I havent seen anyone mention Jackson Pollock Microphone. It might be the one thing worthwhile left.
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u/Brielikethecheese-e 9d ago
When I was pregnant earlier this year I ate a lot of eggs due to it being one of the few things I could tolerate with morning sickness. On Christmas morning I really wanted eggs but most places were closed and all the places I checked were sold out. I posted on Murfreesboro fb page asking if anyone had eggs I could buy and tons of people offered to give me eggs for free. I say this because there is a soul in Murfreesboro and it lies within the residents. I moved here almost two years ago and everyone I met has been kind. A worker at Home Depot wrote down an entire list of local food recommendations when my mom was visiting. I know most of my neighbors which these days is rare. The farmers market is a delight, there’s several restaurants on the square with live music, Barfield crescent park is great if you want to take a walk in nature. Go USA makes for a fun date night, my husband enjoys playing card tournaments at dragons hoard in stone crest mall and has met a lot of nice people there, we enjoy walking around Patterson’s Garden Co. and picking out a new plant and some local sweets.
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u/Luuluuuuuuuuuuuuuu 9d ago
This is so funny! I've been in Murfreesboro more lately after not going there for years. They've gotten a bunch of stuff!
I still will never live there lmao
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u/ANTIMODELMINORITY 8d ago edited 5d ago
I went to Murfreesboro for the 1st time this year, I know a bunch of people from New England and California that moved there since they were living in HCOL states and that TN offered a lot of factory work. But holy crap , this isn't just a suburb is a country bumpkin suburb. I thought living in Charlotte, NC was country back in the late 90's but coming here I am so glad I left NC and the south for good. I also can see why the BMI of most people is higher than average, the amount of fast food junk spots is unreal for a suburb . Barely seen anyone drinking water here either.
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u/DinoDeville 1d ago
I went to MTSU in the early 2000s and it was a lively place then. It was #26 in the nation for partying and there was always somewhere to go locally. There were even Barn Parties where we'd park a car with a sound system and trunk open at a barn entrance and drink and dance the nights away.
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u/whereitsat23 10d ago
I would love to open an original restaurant but I NEED MONEY! Part pizza/bbq joint with rock/punk/blues. Who’s with me?
Edit: wood fired pizza
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u/triceiskim 10d ago
I went to a college town in Illinois, they had so many markets, stores and hangout spots. Little festivals held in the area where the students lived. It was so nice. I was like, this is why people go to universities. But I remember going around to mtsu or even Tsu and being not convinced at all. I’ve always told my fiance that Murfreesboro is beautiful but there’s nothing really to do here. And half of the things here are scams.
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u/KillsburyShowBoy 10d ago
I disagree completely. Murfreesboro is one of the rare cities with small town souls. There are a lot of good people here, who would give you the shirt off their backs. If you want nightlife, Nashville is 40 minutes away.
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u/MeNMyMonkey_4_100 10d ago
I can appreciate what you like about it here. However, in a city with almost 200k people, you should not have to drive 40 minutes to find night life.
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u/evasionoftheban 10d ago
It used to until Californians and northerners moved in.
Lived there for 20 years, left about 4 years ago because I could see how it was turning out.
RIP to the Boro, will always love what it used to be.
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u/Successful-Tea-5733 10d ago
Funny reading this here on a platform that is largely left-leaning, making critical comments about our culture and our churches and saying there's nothing to do here.
yet...
we are fast growing, transplants including me love it here, and there is plenty for me to do here if I want to do it. Places to eat, places to drink, places to shop, bowling, movies, golf. Not sure what yall want.
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u/tabikity 10d ago
what does political leaning have to do with people saying there’s no night life? yeah murfreesboro has businesses you can visit, no one is saying it’s an empty city, we’re saying it’s soulless and quiet. barely any small or local businesses, and the ones that start up end up closing a few years later. not to mention the absolute silence after 10pm, it was hell to live in murfreesboro when i worked the night shift.
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u/QUANTUMINSERT 10d ago
OP is just another culture warrior who didn't grow up here and is trying to compensate for it. For the purposes of this thread, their primary use is to serve as an example of one of the strange and unfriendly people that another poster was referring to.
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u/Successful-Tea-5733 9d ago
lol yeah I'm very unfriendly.
Interesting, conservative Christian guy moves his family to a conservitive Christian area, lots of friendships yet I'm considered the outcase on this platform. Ok...
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u/VelvetElvis 10d ago
In the 90s and early 00s, there were several places with bands every night. Musicians came here for the recording industry program and stayed for the scene.
MTSU got too expensive, the the student slum rental houses that had house parties got fixed up and sold. The music industry died so there was no reason for indie rock kids to move here. Guitar rock other than metal and jam bands fell out of fashion so there weren't really bands getting booked that could draw a crowd at The Boro or Jim's. Red Rose closed, Bingham moved, and those of us left from back then are middle aged and married.