Joseph Vickery
May 31, 2021

The Factory: Manufacturing Family Fun Since 2012

A Storied History

The Factory is a not-so-hidden gem of Franklin, Tennessee. With its decades-old water tower reaching high above the trees, The Factory draws in people from miles around like a beacon to the perfect combination of great food, unique shops, live entertainment, and a weekly farmer’s market. With history stretching back nearly a century, the original factory — hence the name — was built by Dortch Stove Works. Magic Chef, and later, Jamison Bedding Company would become owners until in 1996, the land and buildings were purchased by local developers. Just a year later, The Factory was included in the National Register of Historic Places. Fifteen years later, The Factory was transformed into the family destination it is today.

The main complex sits less than a mile away from Historic Downtown Franklin — a place no less full of life and history. From can’t miss fudge made right before your eyes at Kilwins Franklin to Landmark Booksellers to Franklin Theater (the accompanying photo of Franklin Theater was taken in 1941), there’s no shortage of things to do. Be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes as you’ll want to park and explore all that Historic Downtown Franklin has to offer.

Fun Places to Splurge

Shopping at The Factory is unlike the drab experience at your local strip mall. People come to explore the “local flavor” both met¬aphorically and literally. And should you need a rest, take advantage of the leather arm chairs dotting the main building.

Art lovers and shutterbugs alike will find no shortage of fun, engaging art galleries such as Adam Hall Art Studio and photography studios such as Jeremy Cowart Photography. The eclectic mix includes no less than six art galleries and two photography studios. Under one very tall roof, shoppers at The Factory can buy original art, fresh flowers, family portraits, reclaimed furniture along with more modern one-off pieces, handmade jewelry (because what destination site would be complete without a handmade jewelry shop?), paint your own pottery, go antiquing (as seen in the below image), and the list goes on. There’s even an audio engineering and music business school, Dark Horse Institute, should you want to start a new career in between lunch and window shopping. A personal favorite of mine that should not be passed by is Vintage, Tennessee. If you want to feel nostalgic with your clothes, or you just want to have fun with a new look, then Vintage, Tennessee is a must-see shop.

Wonderful Food Destinations

And now we come to the meat-and-bones (pun intended) of The Factory. No self-respecting American would pass up the opportunity to stuff themselves silly with the best food and drinks available. Culinary enthusiasts and calorie-counters alike can find comfort in Mojo’s Tacos, a “fast-casual” Mexican eatery. Or if you prefer, Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria and Neighborhood Pub.

And if you’re looking for something more exotic (well, exotic by Middle Tennessee standards), then you must try Funk Seoul Brother! Korean and Japanese Street Food which won the title of “Best New Food Truck” by the Nashville Scene before opening a location in The Factory. At the time of writing, Funk Seoul Brother! is temporarily closed, along with the food truck, due to the ongoing pandemic. You can, however, place online orders.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with Five Daughters Bakery or Splendid Ice Creams. And for the more health-conscious people out there, Franklin Juice Co can give you the energy needed for the live events held in the evening.

Live Events for All

At the time of writing, no live events have been scheduled due to the pandemic. But once the action gets going again, you can expect the same great entertainment that’s been an integral part to The Factory experience. Just some of the events that have taken place in the past include theater productions, film screenings, festivals, fairs, and of course, since we’re next door to Nashville you’ll have plenty of live concerts to choose from at the Mockingbird Theater. And not just music for country or blues fans, either; The Factory features musicians from a wide variety of genres.

Franklin Farmer’s Market @ The Shed

Just behind the main complex sits “The Shed.” Who doesn’t love fresh, locally sourced food such as the strawberries pictured above and picked during peak season? Who among us can say we would pass up the opportunity to sample some of the best produce and fresh-baked goods we’ve ever tasted? Then consider planning your visit on a Saturday to take advantage. Franklin’s Farmer’s Market is open on Saturdays, year-round with hours varying between eight in the morning to one in the afternoon depending on the month.

Winding Down

At the end of the day, you’d be hard-pressed to claim you didn’t have a great time at The Factory. It truly is a place that the whole family can enjoy. The experiences that you share and the memories you form will stick with you until your next visit. And that’s the beauty of The Factory: it’s open all year long, offering opportunities to explore the “local flavor” of Middle Tennessee whenever you please. Whether you need a tank top or a parka, there’s never a bad time to visit.

Contact Information

230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064
615-791-1777
Open Daily
(Store hours vary)
Parking available on site

Works Cited:

factoryatfranklin.com
cinematreasures.org
franklinfarmersmarket.com
downtownfranklintn.com

Image Credits:

factoryatfranklin.com
cinematreasures.org/theaters/10215
factoryatfranklin.com/directory/
10best.com/destinations/tennessee/nashville/franklin/shopping/the-factory-at-franklin/
factoryatfranklin.com/restaurants/
franklinfarmersmarket.com/photo-galleries/