Wednesday, October 24, 2007
News / People / Restaurants Spudz Owner Eric Brown Murdered
Posted by Carrington Fox on Wed, Oct 24, 2007 at 9:26 PM
Eric Brown, owner of Spudz potato restaurant, was found fatally shot in the alley behind his Charlotte Pike store today, according to a report on WKRN. Brown later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Brown, 36, studied hotel and restaurant management at TSU before launching into a series of restaurant jobs. Eager to start a business with a product that was affordable and unorthodox, he borrowed money from his aunt and launched Spudz, the one-stop potato shop, in June 2006.
When I interviewed Brown this summer for a review of Spudz, it was about 100 degrees inside his un-air-conditioned store. Brown popped his head out the window and rattled off some dozen stuffed potato combinations—everything from barbecue to Philly cheese steak. He couldn't pick a favorite, he said. If it was there, he assured me, it was good.
Brown was extremely proud of the success he was having—he had quickly repaid his aunt—and he enjoyed talking about taste-testing recipes with his kids. He was kind enough to share his recipe for a perfect baked potato: wash the potato twice, then wrap it in aluminum foil and cook for an hour-and-a-half at 450 degrees.
Comments (25)
Showing 1-25 of 25
That is the saddest news. It was just yesterday you pointed Spudz out to me on Charlotte. I remarked how much I loved that photo—you can tell what a good sport the guy is, and what a jolly nature he has. I look at that photo now, and I just can't bring myself to refer to him in the past tense.
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as a frequent commenter on Bites, i just wanted to say that this is tragic, awful news. my condolences go out to his family
Just like Mr. Pink noted, I too had just noticed his location on Saturday past. I never had the opportunity...
Sad news Carrington. I am not pleased by all the crime going on in my hometown. This guy was something special and we should all come together to find his killer. I was looking forward to officially meeting him before my spot opens this fall. This incident is another example of why our laws should be tougher cause hard working entrepreneurs are paying the price for their actions. This is the third murder in the last couple of weeks involving store/retail owners.
Please let us know if a fund is set up for Mrs. Brown and his daughters. I went to lunch at Spudz for the first time yesterday, hours before the shooting. He was so nice and I am deeply saddened.
How awful. It seemed like his dreams were just being realized, and to have this happen. Makes my heart sink.
I never met him or tried Spudz, either, and I am certain it is my loss.
My condolences to his family and friends.
why our laws should be tougher
Or maybe our law enforcement should focus a little less on speed traps and victimless "crimes" and spend their time catching killers and kidnappers instead.
Exactly - we lose a good man to violent crime but heaven forbid a stripper should get too close to a customer. Anyway, my condolences and I hope they catch the SOBs.
I loved Eric and his Potatoes! The Cheeseburger Potato was my favorite and he knew it!! What a kind, friendly man he was. I will miss him dearly. Lets do get together and find his murderer. I would also like to know if there is a fund for his family.
When I heard the news last night, I was deeply saddened. I was just talking about Spudz the other day.
What a sensless act. I hope the killer is found soon and punished to the fullest extent.
Oh I am so sorry to read about this. I had just noticed Spudz for the first time myself on Monday. I was thinking, what an unusual idea....am sorry I didn't get there.
He remembered his customers' names and knew their favorite toppings. What a wonderful, rare jewel of a man! Anyone who knows anything or has any info about his killer(s) needs to come forward! And, I would really like to donate to his family for all he did for the community.
I just ate had one of his big potatos last week. He's in heaven. Another testimony to the rightousness of Andrea Conte victims rights group. I think I'll send her a check in Eric's name.
Eric Lamont "Jody" BROWN
Age 36
October 24, 2007
Davidson
BROWN, Eric Lamont Jody Age 36 of Nashville, TN. October 24, 2007. Survived by mother, Janice Johnson Eddins; father, Roy Lee Brown; fiancee, Anita Jo Green; children, Shea, Pinkey, Eddie and Liza; sister, Nakita Brown Thomas; seven aunts; one very devoted aunt and uncle, Doris and James Fuller; eight uncles; a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. Brown reposes in the Scales Chapel, 1412 Jefferson Street, where he will lie in state for viewing on Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 1 til 5 p.m. He will be conveyed to The Church of Christ, 1408 Jackson Street, where friends may visit with the family on Monday, October 29, 2007 from 5 til 7 p.m. Funeral Rites will commence at 7 p.m. conducted by Dr. Dennis M. Crowder, Minister. Interment Greenwood Cemetery, 1428 Elm Hill Road. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Keith Searcy Memorial Thanksgiving Dinner, co Assumption Church, 1227 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208. SCALES FUNERAL HOME INC., (615) 329-9880
I just heard this on passing on the news after hearing about a double homicide at a restaurant on White Bridge Rd. I remembered the photo from the story about Eric Brown - loved the story, loved the picture. As someone said above, you could see how full of life he was.
To his family and friends - what a terrible tragedy but we Nashvillians must make something better from this. Thank you for the donation request info, also.
Friends & Loyal Customers
Eric was laid to rest this evening and a fundis in the works. The family thanks you for the prayers, cards, flowers and genuine love. As soon as donation information is provided, I will let you guys know. We have lost two more souls this week to more violence. Pray for those families also.
Thank you Nashville for all of your prayers, well wishes, and concern. Eric Brown is my cousin and our family and our family has suffered a great loss. He was so proud of his business and even more pleased to be so graciously accepted by you, the Nashville consumer. He was so full of life and a very funny guy. The photo above is only a glimpse of his true personality and great sense of humor. Once again, THANK YOU & MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
This follow up has nothing to do with what he was doing now. We should be uplifting and applauding this person for turning his life around and making something that helped his community. Shame on P.J. Tobia for trying to tear down a person who is not even here to defend himself and was making a honest living.
How did Eric Brown help his community? By vending potatoes? Sure, it's great that he seemed to work hard and according to recent personal accounts he was making positive steps to turn his life around.. But the reality is that no one ever knows what goes on in people's personal lives or behind closed doors, so how do you know his living was so honest? I read Tobia's story, and it's unfortunate that on paper, Brown's story does not match these glowing personal reviews.
