In 2019, GNN reported that country music star Brad Paisley had initiated the development of a free grocery store aimed at helping Nashville residents facing food insecurity shop with dignity and a variety of options. After five years filled with unforeseen challenges, Paisley is now planning to expand by establishing another location in North Nashville.
“We’re going to open another location as soon as we get all the T’s crossed and I’s dotted,” Paisley announced to attendees at last month’s CEO Roundtable awards, as reported by the Nashville Business Journal. “It’s groceries with dignity,” he emphasized, noting the contrast between his vision and the typical experience of receiving food aid. “We envisioned something completely different, where all of the sting of the indignity comes from really your kids seeing you in this precarious position.”
The Store by Brad Paisley opened on March 12, 2020, but faced immediate challenges. Just ten days prior, Nashville experienced a devastating tornado outbreak that left over 70,000 residents without power, marking it as one of the costliest tornadoes in U.S. history. Despite operating at limited capacity, The Store quickly mobilized to assist those affected.
Shortly after the tornado, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a nationwide shutdown, including Tennessee’s shelter-in-place order. This prompted a rapid shift in The Store’s operations; Brad and Kimberly Paisley and their team developed a pandemic response program overnight that included curbside pickup and home delivery services for vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly. This model remained in place for 17 months.
Despite these hurdles, the initiative aligned with Brad and Kimberly’s goal of teaching their children about service. “We’ve got to get them into service and get them out of their bubble, and help them understand that there are hungry people in the world,” Kimberly Williams-Paisley stated on The Store’s website.
Over time, The Store expanded its offerings to include comprehensive support services such as counseling, budgeting assistance, cooking classes, literacy programs, pet care support, back-to-school resources, and music therapy. In November 2023, it introduced a toy store to help provide gifts for the 400 families it regularly serves during the holiday season.
“The emotional aspect of being able to give your child something they wanted versus just something to get you through the holidays is such a relief for someone who may not have thought they could do that,” Paisley remarked.