Longtime local retailer Friedman’s Army Navy Store — in operation for more than 50 years at its Hillsboro Village-area site — is slated to close on June 30.
A Friedman’s official confirmed the closing date and said the business will not relocate to another building in Nashville. The representative declined further comment.
The building that accommodates the family-owned Friedman’s is located at 2101 21st Ave. S. Doric Building Company Inc. has owned the property since 1949, having paid $9,500 for it, according to Metro records.
Doric Lodge No. 732 operates from the upstairs space of the structure, which is recognized for a mural on its north face at Bernard Avenue and sits near the building home to Brown's Diner.
A real estate listing notes the 9,578-square-foot space housing Friedman’s is available for lease for a rent price of $40 per square foot, with any future tenant to also pay utilities, insurance, maintenance and taxes.
In addition to military clothing and small firearms, Friedman’s sells camping, hunting/fishing and outdoor clothing, accessories and supplies. Some employees have worked at the retail business for 20 years and longer.
Friedman’s began operations in 1972 in the 21st Avenue South building, which opened in 1952 and originally accommodated a Kroger grocery store, according to the Friedman’s website.
The first Friedman’s Army Navy Store was located on Fourth Avenue downtown. In 1952, the Friedman family opened a second store at 2617 Nolensville Pike in a building that later housed La Hacienda Mexican restaurant.
Davidson County is home to at least three other retailers that specialize in offering military surplus items.
Doric Building Co. has enlisted Stephen Prather and Michael Groos — first vice president and senior vice president, respectively, with Nashville’s Charles Hawkins Co. — to handle the marketing and leasing of the Friedman’s space.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
