🏠 Is this house what's wrong with Nashville?

🏘️ Could Co-Ops Be the Answer to Our Housing Crisis?

On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we’re chatting with the people behind the Drakes Creek Cooperative. This limited equity housing co-op aims to give residents an ownership stake in their community and, hopefully, provide a new model to address Nashville’s affordable housing crisis. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏠 ‘Soulless,’ ‘Sick’ Home for Sale

An East Nashville home that spurred hundreds of hateful comments is once again for sale. The $3.9 million “castle” is one of East Nashville’s most expensive, and some locals criticize it as “ridiculous” in a neighborhood once affordable to working-class families. Others, however, argue the problem isn’t with million-dollar homes, but the lack of affordable housing. [The Tennessean]

• The home’s listing [Redfin]
• What do you think of this house? Email me!

🐂 Border Patrol at Bridgestone Arena

Four U.S. Border Patrol agents performed in a Professional Bull Riders event at Bridgestone Arena over the weekend, sparking protests. The agency also sponsored the event, and had booths giving out information on how to join the patrol. [Nashville Banner]

👋 Help Your Neighbors

• Metro Councilmember Sheri Weiner is coordinating community support for ten families whose apartments burned down in a Bellevue fire. [NewsChannel 5]
• The Homeless Education Resource Office (HERO) Program helps support MNPS students experiencing homelessness. Approximately 3,400 students qualified last year. [WKRN]

Hungry? Nashville has so many excellent new restaurants and bars opening every month. Here are our favorites!

Junior

Nashville sees new restaurants open every week, but Junior isn’t just another name on the list. From Chef Philip Krajeck and the team behind Rolf and Daughters and Folk, Junior carries a sense of history even as it opens its doors. The vibe is polished but not fussy: White tablecloths, lighting that actually flatters you, and an open kitchen running like clockwork in the middle of it all. The menu leans French with a little Basque-style thrown in. A pork and chicken pâté en croûte arrives with meticulous layers, brightened by cherries. The Bluefin niçoise cuts sharp and clean, while a dry-aged bavette steak — part Angus, part Wagyu — lands exactly where it should. Don’t skip the sweet corn barbajuan: One perfect, golden fried bite lingers long after it’s gone. Junior arrives like it’s always been here, and you get the sense it always will be. — Jenn Harbin, @TheHungryLoner

Ingrassia & Sons Italian Deli

Love giant Italian sandwiches? Ingrassia & Sons Italian Deli in Wedgewood Houston has them, along with Italian grocery items, coffee, and desserts. They stay open until sold out, so consider getting there early!

Strega Bar

The husband-and-wife team behind Rosemary & Beauty Queen has now opened a retro, animal-themed bar in East Nashville, with hidden nooks and crannies, outdoor pool tables, and lots of cool decor. The bar’s open until 2 a.m. every day.

Cliff’s Lounge & Oyster Bar

Located inside Deacon’s New South in downtown, this raw oyster bar also serves small plates, cocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks.

Perenn

Only weeks after opening in Franklin, the husband-and-wife team behind Perenn opened a second spot in Berry Hill, inside the Oak Barrel Building. The European bakery and restaurant has several locations in Nevada. Sip on tea or coffee while enjoying a pastry, or grab a salad or sandwich for lunch.

Mama Bread

East Nashville is also getting a new bakery. Author and baker Jennifer Latham opened Mama Bread this week, right across the street from Lockeland Table. You’ll find butter, chocolate, and ham and cheese croissants, fresh country bread, coffee, and a small grocery section.

Crafty Boba

This new West Nashville boba shop sells crafts, offers cooking and craft classes, and features artwork from local artists.

Connie’s

Grab a cold brew, hot dog, and late-night snacks at this new Midtown bar, connected to Verna Café & Bar, another new restaurant where Connie’s serves hot dogs during the day.