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Owner of Nashville business closed due to building collapse claps back at city's growth


Sign posted outside Fido (WZTV){br}
Sign posted outside Fido (WZTV)
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After a roof collapsed at the Impeccable Pig in Nashville causing the whole strip to temporarily close, the owner of Fido restaurant next door is taking a stand, saying that’s all part of the cost of Nashville’s growth.

On Wednesday, the roof of the boutique collapsed with four people inside, but luckily no one was hurt.

Rachel Truelave says she heard a loud bang.

“I thought someone had run their car into the building initially, just because it happened so quickly,” she said.

Nashville Fire Department District Chief Tony Garmon says, earlier in the day, Impeccable Pig employees called-in about the construction next door.

“They said there were gaps in the floor and the wall separating from the business.”

Fido restaurant has been in Hillsboro for 23-years and is part of the same building.

Now, the coffee shop has large, handwritten signs covering the windows, one of the signs reading:

"Darn symbolic of the cost of Nashville’s growth that the construction of a chain restaurant that will compete directly with us forced us to close."

That construction is for Ruby Sunshine – a chain brunch place.

Fido founder and Nashville coffee-mogul Bob Bernstein says this is a microcosm of what's happening in the city.

“Nashville has growth everywhere, we're called the crane city for good reason. There's one right in front of me here,” he said as he pointed across the street.

The purpose of the signs is two-fold: to let people know they do plan on reopening in about a week, and to highlight the struggles small businesses face in our "It" City.

“When I first got into business, everybody helped each other; nobody opened across the street that was doing the same thing,” Bernstein said.

Fido's made a similar post on Instagram and many echoed their words.

Bernstein also touched on Amazon, saying the giant may be good for the city but says “the downside is that this is a company that specializes in putting small businesses out of business.”

Saturday morning, Fido’s gave out free coffee and pastries, and they will continue to do so until they open, weather permitting.

Structural engineers are still working to figure out when it will be safe for people to go inside the building.

A Metro Code spokesperson said, though they’re separate structures, the whole building is connected, which is why they must assess the entire building before letting anyone inside.

Ruby Sunshine Statement:

We’re saddened to see the repercussions that the 21st Avenue building collapse has caused for surrounding businesses. Though Ruby Sunshine does not own the building and therefore is not overseeing its construction, we have leased space in the building with plans to open later this year. We understand the deep-rooted sense of community that makes Hillsboro Village such a cherished neighborhood. As a family-run business, we are committed to ensuring our restaurants only add value to both the community members and surrounding businesses.

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