After three-and-a-half years in business, West Side music venue, bar and restaurant The Stone Fox will close its doors.
According to a message sent to the Scene by Stone Fox brother-and-sister co-proprietors William and Elise Tyler — the former a noted guitarist, the latter an artist and director — Sunday, Jan. 31, will be the establishment's last day of business. "This is an incredibly hard decision that we have come to after much thought and struggle," say the Tylers.
"We ask that you support the new business that will eventually open at 712 51st Avenue North," the message continues. "Be with us on their first day of business, whenever that may be, and celebrate someone else’s dream, just as you celebrated ours."
Before The Stone Fox opened — and The Spin was there on Sept. 25, 2012, for the venue's very first show — the building was home to establishments including Len's Den, Area 51 and Grandpaw Too's. No word on what will inhabit the building next. After the jump, see the full message from The Stone Fox.
The Stone Fox has several shows still on the books for Feb. 1 and beyond. We'll let you know which of those shows are moved or canceled. As previously noted, the film Metalhead will screen at the club tonight, followed by sets from The Ascent of Everest and Vile Desecration.
To our neighbors and friends,As of February 1, 2016, The Stone Fox will be closing its doors. This is an incredibly hard decision that we have come to after much thought and struggle. It has been a labor of love since day one, when we decided to create a safe haven for musicians, travelers, artists, freaks, and Nashvillians of all walks of life. We wanted a place that felt like a home away from home, whether you were a touring band who needed to do laundry and eat a hot meal or a local looking for a place to commune with other like minded souls. As Nashville began to change at a rapid pace, we felt that much more commitment to creating an authentic local haunt that represented the best parts of our home town, the place we grew up in. We think we succeeded at that.
In the last three and a half years, The Stone Fox stage has been home to so much talent. We have packed the place out for block parties, concerts, drag shows, bingo, karaoke, movie screenings, private parties, birthdays, weddings, family reunions, and yes, even a funeral. It has allowed both of us to book shows that maybe wouldn’t have had a home elsewhere in town. It has provided jobs for many, consistently employing around 30 people at a time. And it has been home to one of the best damn burgers in this New Nashville burger town. There is no way to encapsulate all that has gone on during our time as a business. We just know that it has been a priceless experience full of joy and zero regrets.
We love Nashville as much as anyone probably could. We have each lived here our entire lives, and are damn proud of it. This community is our heart, and we are sad that this chapter of our involvement is ending.
Thank you to our customers, especially our regulars who provided so much support day in and day out. Thank you to our family and friends, who kept us sane during this entire experience, especially Dan and Adele, our parents. Thank you to every band, artist, and performer who graced our stage. You made The Stone Fox known for great music and events. Most of all, thank you to our amazing staff, some of whom have been with us since our first days of renovating the building, helping us literally build the place with our own hands. You are the soul of everything we have been lucky enough to accomplish, you are our family, and you are some of the finest humans to walk this earth.
We hope that you can make it by The Stone Fox before Monday. We ask that you support the new business that will eventually open at 712 51st Avenue North — be with us on their first day of business, whenever that may be, and celebrate someone else’s dream, just as you celebrated ours.
Sunday January 31 will be our last day of business. Come by, have a drink, eat a hush puppy, and let us give you a hug.
Thank you and goodnight, Nashville.Elise and William Tyler
