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Factory at Franklin to Unveil Grand Hall Bar

Take a first look at the new and improved Factory at Franklin.

The Factory at Franklin has unveiled details about its highly awaited Grand Hall bar concept and also announced new tenant partnerships with two restaurants expanding to Williamson County for the very first time.

The Skylight bar will join its newest dining partners, etch and Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, along with ten other restaurant tenants to host an exclusive “Sip & Sample” preview party on Saturday, April 15 from 6 to 9 p.m.

“The Factory is built on and belongs to the community, and we’re thrilled to celebrate its progress with our neighbors and friends,” said Allen Arender, partner and executive vice president of development at Holladay Properties.

The evening will feature eight handcrafted cocktails created by bar manager and local hospitality figure, Kristian Albarran and more than two dozen small plates created exclusively for the event.

Restaurant partners:

  • Edley’s Bar-B-Que
  • etch
  • Five Daughters Bakery
  • Franklin Juice Company
  • GREYS Fine Cheese and Entertaining
  • Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
  • Honest Coffee Roasters
  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
  • MAFIAoZA’s
  • Mojo’s Tacos
  • Two Hands

Located in the campus’s brand-new Grand Hall, The Skylight’s inviting yet distinctly industrial design honors the structure’s storied history and distinctive architecture. The bar’s focal point—a patchwork ring of glass panes in hues of amber and vellum—reflects the nearly century-old patina of The Factory’s original clerestory windows.

Other nods to the site’s industrial past are found in The Skylight’s signature cocktail list, including Quittin’ Thyme, made with artisanal gin infused with its namesake herb and the smoky, spirit-forward Potbelly made with a Scotch and rye whiskey base.

Built in 1929, The Factory played a significant role in helping Williamson County weather the Great Depression and build a vibrant local economy during the post-war era. Local developer Calvin Lehew purchased the complex in 1996 and reopened it as a mixed-use development.

Holladay Properties purchased the property in 2021 and quickly began major renovations to transform the 20-acre site into a reimagined community landmark offering first-class retail, dining and live entertainment options.

For ticket information, click here.

 

About the Author

Michael Aldrich

Michael Aldrich is Nashville Parent's Managing Editor and a Middle Tennessee arts writer. He and his wife, Alison, are the proud parents of 4-year-old Ezra and baby Norah.