The future of the old First United Methodist Church in downtown Murfreesboro has been set.

Last week, the Murfreesboro City Council met with potential developers who presented their dreams for the church property.

The city councilor's cast their lots with Murfreesboro Investment Group. The locally owned investment group offered the city $1.8 million and proposed redeveloping the lot with a mixed-use development that would preserve the building's icon bell tower and sanctuary (see above).

The project will begin in early 2019 and take about 18 months. 

Murfreesboro Investment Group's principal investors are Nick Patel, Bob Patel and Mike Chaudhary, according to The Daily News Journal.

The DNJ also outline the group's plans, which include three buildings, the tallest possibly being eight stories, that will house an 80-room boutique hotel, 55 condominiums and parking garage, along with the Class A office space and retail.

The church, which was built in 1888, was purchased by the city in 2016 for $1.55 million. At the time, the property owner, Franklin Synergy Bank, announced it was relocating to a new building in The Gateway. The city bought the property to ensure it could preserve as much of the historic building as possible.

The project will receive a tax break in the form of tax increment financing. The TIF freezes the taxes on the property and allows the developers to use the tax savings to pay for financing on the project.

The Riser Room from The Alley

Christy and Shawn Hackinson, owners of The Alley of Main, announced they will soon break ground on a new venture, which will be in the empty courtyard next to the existing restaurant at 223 W. Main St.

Christy Hackinson explained in a video that The Alley remain where it is next to the new two-story building. The first floor will house “The Riser Room,” which will offer sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as an event space.

The building will be topped by a rooftop bar called “Sopra,” which means “above” in Italian. Sopra will serve signature cocktails along with shareable plates.

The Hackinsons said they hope to break ground in April and open in the late fall, just in time for Christmas.

In other groundbreakings, developer Baker Storey McDonald plans to start work on a new multi-tenant commercial development on the northeast corner of South Church Street and Joe B. Jackson Parkway.

Called Marketplace at Savannah Ridge, the 137,245-square-foot shopping center will likely be anchored by an Aldi, The Daily News Journal reported.

Let's go to the movies

The new movie theater at Stones River Mall should be open by Memorial Day.

The nine-screen, full-service AMC theater is nearing completion, said Jon Speed, an assistant project manager of development and construction for the mall’s parent company, Sterling Organization.

The 47,000-square-foot theater was approved with 1,000 seats with full-service electronic, high-back recliners with seat-side dining.

Two favorites announce closings

In a surprising announcement, the owners of Sub Stop said the Murfreesboro/Nashville institution will be closing its pink doors.

Travis Millwood, owner of the Sub Stop brand, said he received an offer too good to refuse for the location at 306 W. Vine St. After carefully evaluating the offer and our families current needs, we have decided to accept this opportunity," Millwood wrote in a Facebook post.

Millwood added there may be another announcement about the future of the brand in the coming weeks.

Another Murfreesboro institution is closing its doors after nearly two decades of service.

It was with a heavy heart that Penny Bolton announced she will close her clothing boutique Penny’s Closet.

In a Facebook post, Bolton said she has decided to retire and close her store on Northfield Boulevard.

“I know the toughest part of this is that I will dearly miss the daily interactions with my customers and employees, many that have become my dear, dear friends,” Bolton said in an email to her customers.

Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist who fills her days with social media marketing, politics, true crime, and taking complaints. You can complain to her on Twitter @MichWillard or by email michelle(at)murfreesborovoice.com.