413 Houston St.
An October opening is being planned for a neighborhood restaurant and bar to take a Wedgewood-Houston industrial space last home to a welding business. It's the latest food and beverage offering in the fast-changing South Nashville district.
Brothers Jamie and Bryan Kenney own both the property and the business, to be called Never Never. With an address of 413 Houston St., the restaurant and bar will be the brothers’ first business venture. Never Never will join a growing roster of Wedgewood-Houston restaurants and bars, including Bastion, Hemingway's Bar and Hideway, Clawson's Pub and Deli, and Falcon Coffee Bar. Americano Coffee Lounge is soon to open (read here), as are Jackalope Brewing Co., Disken Cider and Chandler Brothers Houston Street Pool Hall.
“We love Wedgewood-Houston and have been visiting for a long time,” says Jamie Kenney, who works in the music business. “We like the arts flavor of the neighborhood. With Never Never, we want to create a local establishment that is comfortable and accessible. We’re steering away from anything too highbrow.”
The Kenneys created Tusk Brothers LLC to acquire the 0.09-acre property in September 2017 for $525,000, according to Metro records. The Kenneys have enlisted Manuel Zeitlin Architects (based in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood) to handle the design. The exterior will get a face-lift of sorts. The building previously accommodated Hines Welding and Repair Shop. Metro records date to the 1950s but are unclear as to when the building was constructed.
“We want to keep the building as representative of a welding shop as closely as possible,” said Kenney. “The aesthetic will be industrial and rustic while still having a cozy feel.
“We fell in love with the building because of its history,” he adds.
Kenney says Never Never (ownership of which includes some silent investors) will offer eight to nine key menu items, highlighted by rotisserie chicken, sandwiches and soups. The bar will include a handful of beers, wines and liquors. Kenney says the brothers expect to have six to eight employees, with Bryan planning to work at the business.
