Jack’s Bar-B-Que Sells Broadway Building In Nashville, TN
NASHVILLE – In a city defined by its musical heritage and burgeoning tourism, a changing of the guard on Lower Broadway has marked the end of an era. Jack’s Bar-B-Que, a culinary institution and a pivotal player in the revitalization of downtown Nashville, has sold its landmark building to the owners of its next-door neighbor, the equally iconic Robert’s Western World. The $15 million transaction not only signifies a new chapter for both businesses but also underscores the dramatic transformation of a street that Jack’s founder, Jack Cawthon, is widely credited with helping to save.
For more than three decades, the fragrant scent of hickory smoke and the sight of the restaurant’s iconic flying pig neon sign have been a fixture at 416A Broadway. The location, which Jack’s has called home since 1994, will now be incorporated into Robert’s Western World, a legendary honky-tonk known for its commitment to traditional country music. The sale, announced by Robert’s owners JesseLee and Emily Ann Jones, represents a significant expansion for the bar, which plans to reunite the two buildings at the historic address of 416 Broadway. Renderings of the new space are expected in the coming months.
The story of Jack’s Bar-B-Que on Broadway is inseparable from the story of Lower Broadway itself. Before the current bustling landscape of neon-lit honky-tonks, souvenir shops, and celebrity-owned venues, the area was in a state of serious decline. Following the Grand Ole Opry’s move out of the Ryman Auditorium in the 1970s, the historic street had fallen on hard times, becoming a hub for pawn shops, adult bookstores, and a generally seedy atmosphere.
Cawthon, who started his catering business in 1976, was a pioneer in seeing the potential of a downtown comeback. In 1991, he opened his first Broadway location near Riverfront Park. At the time, it was one of the first casual restaurants to brave the struggling district. His decision was a bold one, and his steady stream of hickory smoke and delicious barbecue began to draw a crowd. As Cawthon famously said, he “opened the flood gates for neon.” His move was a spark that helped ignite a new wave of revitalization.
A few years later, in 1994, Cawthon was forced to relocate when his original building was torn down to make way for the Hard Rock Cafe. He followed the advice of his employees and customers, who suggested he move closer to the more tourist-friendly area around the Ryman and other historic institutions. He found a new home at 416A Broadway, and this time, he bought the building, a move that solidified his commitment to the area. Two years later, the iconic flying pig sign, a beacon for hungry visitors and a symbol of Broadway’s rebirth, was installed.
The sale of the building is not the end of Jack’s Bar-B-Que. The famous smokers and the flying pig sign will be moved to a prominent new location in the city, and Cawthon will focus on his other two thriving restaurants, one on Charlotte Avenue and another on West Trinity Lane. Cawthon’s catering business, which is how he originally started, will also be a key focus of his future endeavors. In a press release, Cawthon expressed his excitement for the future, stating, “I’m excited to see what Robert’s will do with an expansion. The building will remain in good hands.”
The new owners, JesseLee and Emily Ann Jones, have a deep appreciation for the legacy they are inheriting. In a statement, JesseLee Jones noted, “He paved the way for so many of us on Lower Broadway. We’re honored he entrusted us with this legacy, and we’re excited to reunite 416A and 416B into something truly historic for Nashville and for Robert’s.” The two buildings were once connected by archways, and the purchase will now bring them back together.
Robert’s Western World itself has a storied history. The building once housed Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Company, a manufacturer of high-end steel guitars that counted famous musicians among its clientele. In the 1990s, after a period as a liquor store, Robert Wayne Moore opened a western wear store there, eventually adding a bar and live music, which led to the creation of Robert’s Western World. The venue gained a reputation as the “home of traditional country music” and was made famous by the band BR5-49, who had a long-running residency there in the ’90s. JesseLee Jones, who has been a staple on Broadway with his band Brazilbilly for over 30 years, purchased Robert’s in 1999, committing to preserve its legacy.
The sale of the Jack’s Bar-B-Que building to Robert’s Western World is more than a real estate transaction; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Lower Broadway. It highlights how pioneers like Jack Cawthon and JesseLee Jones have shaped the street’s character and preserved its unique traditions even as it evolves into a global tourist destination. The new, combined space promises to create a larger-than-life venue, a fitting tribute to the two institutions that have played such a significant role in making Broadway the iconic thoroughfare it is today.
