Under the light of The Nashville Sign, 1616 Broadway is being transformed. In the coming weeks, co-founder Andrew Maness and his team at One Garage will be creating an automotive-themed club. One Garage will also house Lola’s, a European café offering drinks and snacks from early in the morning until late at night.
What Now Nashville spoke with Maness as well as the owner of Lola’s to learn more about the lineup for 1616 Broadway.
“This concept is bringing two separate hospitality offerings to one space,” said Maness. “Two-thirds of the space is a private members’ club and the other third will be an all-day European café inspired by the motorcycle and bicycle culture of northern Italy.”
Maness has been an automotive photojournalist for the last 12 years. After passing through the city for press events over the years, Maness developed an appreciation for the vibrancy of the hospitality industry in Nashville. Having immersed himself in Nashville’s automotive scene, Maness saw an opportunity to create a dedicated space for that community. Maness soon forged a partnership with Brentwood local Zach Shunk, who will lead One Garage’s operations.
“The automotive community is really robust in the greater Nashville area, but it doesn’t have a hub right now,” said Maness. “One Garage is going to be a space where like-minded individuals can get together to appreciate machines and the experiences they can offer.”
Maness shared that monthly membership fees for the members-only club are $300, but more details are to come as One Garage gets closer to opening.
Historically, the space at 1616 Broadway has been a tire shop and car dealership. Maintaining the building’s character is paramount for the owners.
“We want to do the heritage of the space at 1616 Broadway justice,” said Maness. “The property has a long automotive history and has so much character in it.”
One Garage will have approximately 4,500 square feet of floor space. Approximately 1,500 of that will be open to the public as Lola’s. Lola’s is owned by Scott Mizrahi.
“Lola’s is a concept I developed in Asbury Park, New Jersey about 14 years ago,” said Mizrahi. “It’s a European café with homemade gelato that is about as close as you can get to having authentic Italian gelato in the United States. We serve craft cocktails in a fun, unique environment that caters to an eclectic crowd– anyone from families during the day to twenty-year-olds at night.”
Lola’s at One Garage will be the second location of the New Jersey-founded brand. In addition to its open-to-the-public dining area, Lola’s will provide drinks, cocktails, and food for the members’ club.
There will not be a full kitchen in Lola’s but rather a prep kitchen where local chefs from all over Nashville will be invited to cater barbecue nights, Italian meals, and other dining events.
Lola’s menu focuses on gelato, cocktails, milkshakes and small plates. In the mornings, Lola’s at One Garage will serve coffee and espresso to jumpstart guests’ days.
“Lola’s at One Garage will have a little bit of everything for everyone,” said Mizrahi. “I was so excited when the owners of One Garage approached us for this collaboration because our shabby-chic, old-world style aligns so well with what they are doing with this space. When they came to me and told me about their plans, I couldn’t say no.”
Maness shared that One Garage and, by extension, Lola’s, is aiming to open in the late summer of 2024.
“Nashville has so many new buildings going up and adding interesting looks to the skyline,” said Maness. “I love the idea that as everything around us develops and seems to be picking up speed, One Garage will be a place where the pace of life can slow down.”
