Reconstruction of 2nd Ave. takes toll on downtown businesses, owners hopeful after block reopens

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - In 2017, Cerveza Jack’s Managing Partner Frank Miller and his family moved to Nashville to begin their new business on 2nd Avenue.

“Cerveza Jacks was the first restaurant we opened up,” Miller said.

2019 was the final memorable year for Miller and majority managing partner Ty. A year after shifting their entire model to work with the pandemic and restrictions in place, a bomb was detonated on Christmas Day of 2020 a block away from their business.

“I remember it exactly,” Miller said.

Miller recalls getting calls from his security companies letting him know that the alarms inside the business were going off. Little to his knowledge, his storefront had been completely blown out by a bomb detonated just yards away.

Ever since that day, Cerveza Jack’s and others have been fighting for their businesses.

“There’s been some tough conversations and lot of tough choices,” Miller said.

As countless businesses left 2nd Avenue over the years since, Cerveza Jack’s hung around. The city had no choice but to rebuild the street, which in the past year, took away the storefront and rerouted potential customers.

“People are just trying to figure out how to get around,” Miller said. I have to say, out of all of it, this past year has definitely been the hardest.”

Miller says business this year was down 50%, the lowest they’ve seen since opening their doors. He says had it not been for his co-managing partner Ty, Cerveza Jack’s would have likely closed its doors as well.

“Now that it’s [2nd Avenue] open, now as of this past week, I think is the beginning of us healing,” Miller said. “And I think we’re all ready for it.”

He says through all the ups and downs, he’s hoping the city is able to support the businesses down on 2nd Avenue by once again reminding people it has reopened, and that there are stores and restaurants waiting for their business.

“This is not the end, this is the beginning of getting these businesses and this street back on its feet,” Miller said.

In talks with Mayor Freddie O’Connell and his team, Miller says ideas have been thrown around about bringing foot traffic back to 2nd Avenue. He says they’re looking to work together with the Downtown Partnership to possibly bring patio-style dining to spruce up the newly reconstructed part of the block.

Miller says he’s hopeful, but reliant on business returning to remain one of the pre-bombing fixtures on the street.

“I’m here for it,” Miller said. “I’m here for all the new people and the more the merrier as far as I’m concerned.”

To learn more about Cerveza Jack’s, you can visit their website.