Amid the Nashville International Airport’s expansion, officials notified Monell’s at the Manor that their lease won’t be renewed.
“It’s a part of history that’s going to be gone, and I think we need to preserve our history,” customer Jackie Zimmerman said.
She went to the restaurant for cheese grits and fried chicken.
“Just knowing it’s not going to be here, it’s sad,” Zimmerman said.
Server Mehdy Kheshti said this is all he’s known for more than a decade.
“It’s very heartbreaking,” Kheshti said. “Disheartening.”
This job has been his livelihood.
Owner Michael King hopes to transfer employees to his Germantown location, and he’s pursuing other options.
“I’m pissed,” King said.
He said the writing is on the wall.
“It’s not about Monell’s closing that location. It’s about the history that is about to see the wrecking ball.”
The Colemore Mansion was built in 1893. It burned down in 1929 but was rebuilt. In the ’40s, it was a political playground as the Colemere Country Club. Several presidents and even Andy Griffith were photographed at the location.