Nashville, the city on the rise, has attracted a lot of people and developers who want to be a part of Music City’s success. While some view the growth as positive, Otaku Ramen owner Sarah Gavigan questions whether it has gone too far. Gavigan started her business in 2012 and opened her first brick-and-mortar location in 2015, not anticipating the rapid growth Nashville would experience.
The city, once known primarily for country music, has evolved into something much larger. Nashville’s recent expansion has presented challenges for Gavigan and other local business owners. With a significant increase in eating establishments obtaining licenses over the years, Gavigan worries about an oversaturated market and the impact of rising rents on smaller, locally-owned businesses.
Gavigan is advocating for change, suggesting that city officials and organizations should take steps to protect mom-and-pop restaurants that are struggling to compete with larger, out-of-town developers. She believes that a National Restaurant Association Chapter in Tennessee could help address some of these issues and create a more supportive environment for local establishments.
While acknowledging the benefits that growth can bring to a city, Gavigan remains concerned about the toll it is taking on Nashville’s local businesses. The struggle faced by her own Otaku Ramen location in the Gulch due to nearby construction has underscored the challenges that many locals are currently facing. As Nashville continues to evolve and expand, Gavigan hopes that there will be efforts made to prioritize the preservation and support of the city’s unique and beloved mom-and-pop establishments.