The Great Escape at 5400 Charlotte Ave.
The owners of The Great Escape — a local retail icon known for its expansive inventory of used vinyl records, CDs, comic books, video games and DVDs — are expecting to relocate their shop from The Nations by year's end.
The plan is to keep the flagship store on the West Side. The move will come as the business prepares to celebrate 50 years of operations in 2027. Located at 5400 Charlotte Ave. in a space once home to a bowling alley, the business is moving due to a looming property development. Rob Baker, Great Escape co-owner, says staying at the site is not feasible.
Local real estate company Elmington Capital Group in January 2022 paid $17 million for the retail strip center home to The Great Escape and other businesses, and is seeking to reinvent the 7.4-acre site. Elmington officials could not be reached for comment. It is unclear if the existing retail structure will be updated and supplemented by new construction or be razed so that the site can be fully redeveloped. As reported in December 2025, a Sprouts Farmers Market seemingly is slated for the strip center.
Gary Walker, who died July 8 at Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center, made huge contributions to the city's music industry during …
Founded in Midtown in 1977 by Gary Walker and Peggy Walker, The Great Escape is co-owned by Rob Baker and wife Candace Baker, who acquired the business in 2017. Greg Walker, the Walkers’ son, has some ownership as well.
The Great Escape also operates in Madison and Murfreesboro, as well as Bowling Green and Louisville, Ky. The current Great Escape relocated to its building in The Nations in 2008, a move dictated by the business losing its lease at its long-time Broadway location in Midtown. The Broadway location closed in 2010.
Inside The Great Escape at 5400 Charlotte Ave.
“We combined retail, warehouse, online operations and offices into one location at this huge former bowling alley,” says Rob Baker. “We survived the 2010 flood when our store was flooded with three feet of water.”
Baker says details about the move, expected by year’s end, are forthcoming. A warehouse clearance sale will be held at the business July 18 and 19, "as we begin the painful process," he adds.
"We are excited about our upcoming relocation as we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary,” he says. “We plan to stay in the Midtown/West Nashville area, and look forward to revealing our new spot soon.”
Family-owned business Melissa's Sir Pizza, which is also currently located in the same Elmington-owned retail strip with The Great Escape, is seeking donations to assist in its move. The future home of Melissa's Sir Pizza is not yet disclosed. A goal of $11,000 has been posted.
This article was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.
