Experience the Iconic Fox & Locke In Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee
Of all the must-see places in Williamson County, Tennessee, Fox & Locke in Leiper’s Fork is at the top of most lists, especially for music aficionados. The restored, historic country store is located in the heart of the Leiper’s Fork community, and has taken on a dual role, serving as a restaurant that dishes out delicious Southern food and also as an iconic music venue that is considered a gateway to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium (and beyond) by many up-and-coming musicians. With its fantastic food and live shows, the venue embodies the pride and joy of Middle Tennessee, securing Leiper’s Fork as a hub of Americana art, music, and culture.
Where it All Began: The History of Fox & Locke
Fox & Locke General Store first graced the charming streets of Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee in 1947. As of 2025, the historic grocery, started by Jack Foxe and Martin Locke, has been a beloved community hub for nearly 80 years—a popular gathering place since the very beginning. Growth happened so quickly, in fact, that by 1955 the Foxe & Locke family had to move to a larger building, right across the street. From there the Fox & Locke General Merchandise Store was a central amenity of the rural area, and served as the largest place to find groceries, gas, snacks, and good company.
In 1960, the Puckett family bought the Fox & Locke store and its contents. They changed the name from Fox & Locke to Puckett’s, a Tennessee restaurant that is still widely known today. Operated by A. Marshall Hospitality, a Franklin-based company that operates 10 family-owned restaurants across Tennessee and Alabama, Puckett’s is renowned for it’s excellent Southern menu and community outreach. In Franklin, they partner with the Boys and Girls Club every September to raise fuds. Since the 1960s, the original store has had several owners who continued to preserve the legacy and purpose of the country store.
In 2002, the reputation of the store boomed thanks to the advent of live music nights, which began to attract musicians and visitors from all over the globe. Their Thursday Night Open Mics are legendary, and considered to be a channel into the Music City scene by artists eager to break into the industry. In 2022, the venue returned to its roots, honoring the original name of Fox & Locke. The preservation of the name and space is due, in large part, to the efforts of most recent owner, Aubrey Preston, who is well-known in Middle Tennessee for preservation efforts including of RCA Studio A in Downtown Nashville and the Historic Franklin Theater. The current aim of Fox & Locke is to restore historical and cultural significance rather than erase it. These efforts are vastly important and well received, especially in lieu of recent public concern surrounding historical buildings being torn down in and around Nashville.
What’s On the Menu
Though Fox & Locke is no longer a grocery store, the legacy of good, Southern cooking lives on. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Fox & Locke brings customers to the pinnacle of comfort food and Southern flavor. Some of the restaurant’s breakfast options include biscuits & gravy, buttermilk pancakes, a giant cinnamon roll, and build-your-own breakfast sandwiches. Lunch and supper specials include homestyle Meat & 3 combos, classic burgers and sandwiches, plus fan favorite pork rinds or fried pickles to start. And what’s a comfort meal without dessert? Fox & Locke serves up a cobbler of the day, maple pecan pie, and Mississippi mud cake. For a classic cool down, there’s also a selection of ice cream flavors and a full bar menu stocked with beer, wine, and cocktail options.
The restaurant takes walk-in guests. However, on live music nights the venue stops seating walk-ins 2.5 hours prior to the scheduled show. If you’re attending a show, keep in mind that there is a $15 per person purchase minimum for food and beverages. As an added bonus, the restaurant also offers BBQ pulled pork and most sides for bulk order and pickup. Requests can be made at info@foxandlocke.com. The restaurant does ask for a 24-hour notice for large orders.
Live Music Shows
Throughout the week, musical notes of all kind pour from the doors of Fox & Locke, from the muddy hum of guitar chords to the Appalachian twang of banjo strings. The venue hosts live music Wednesday through Sunday nights. Cover charges range from $7-20, though there are some exceptions, depending on the artist. Weekend shows (Saturdays from 12-3 p.m. and Sundays from 12-6 p.m.) are free of charge. With this is mind, concert goers are encouraged to tip musicians generously if able.
It is not out of the ordinary to see some familiar faces at Fox & Locke; famous musicians are known to grace the historic venue with their talents from time to time. Some notable names who have popped into Fox & Locke or taken the stage are Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Zach Bryan, and jazz musician Lisa Stewart. The venue is also proud to regularly host local musicians, such as Carter Windham, Olivia Faye, and Alyssa Flaherty.
Be aware that Fox & Locke does not host private events. Likewise, there is a 15 ticket limit for group purchase. All ages are welcome at live music events; However, only adults 21 and over are permitted to sit at the bar. Guests under 21 are required to have tickets for table seating. You can find upcoming shows and tickets through the venue website. Fox & Locke tickets are usually available for purchase 30 days before the event, and ticket purchases are non-refundable.
The venue has limited on site parking. Additional parking options include street parking along Hillsboro Road. There are also paid lots within a short distance, at Leiper’s Fork Church of Christ and Hillsboro Recreation Center. The facility is handicap accessible; for additional information regarding specific accessibility needs, contact tickets@foxandlocke.com. Personal photos and videos are allowed at the venue, unless an artist requests otherwise. Commercial photography is not allowed without written permission from the artists.
Thursday Night Open Mics
Adjacent to delicious food and scheduled shows, Fox & Locke is most famous for their Open Mic Nights, which take place every Thursday evening from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Leiper’s Fork, “Nashville’s Big Backyard” has become an iconic stop for music lovers. The open mic hosts up-and-coming artists of all ages who have the chance to perform original music as well as covers of beloved songs. Occasionally, Grammy-award winning artists will swing by and add to the magic of the night. The cover charge for Open Mic Nights is $7. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as table seating for the popular event usually sells out quickly.
Information for Artists
For musicians, playing at Fox & Locke’s Open Mic is a huge deal, and coveted spots are in high demand. The process of consideration is a bit different than other open calls or writers’ rounds. To be considered for a particular Thursday night, artists are required to contact the venue via text between 3 and 3:30 p.m. the day of the show they wish to perform. Texts outside of this time frame will not be considered. The text should include the artist’s full contact name and a link to a live performance. If chosen, Fox & Locke will contact the artist by 4:30 p.m. with details. It’s important to note that texting for consideration does not guarantee a spot on stage, due to the sheer amount of interest.
Each selected artist is able to play 2 songs that are 4 minutes long, or 1 song that exceeds 4 minutes. Artists are encouraged to bring their own guitars and/or other string instruments. Equipment provided by the venue includes 3 vocal mics, 3 DIs, 3 Fender guitar amps, a bass amp, Nord Piano 4 keyboard, and a Craviotto drum kit. Due to the nature of the event, artists are not permitted to bring their own keyboards, amps, or drums. For artists who are chosen, keep in mind that a spot on stage does not secure a table for you and your guests. Tickets, either table or standing room, should be purchased separately through the venue to ensure smooth admission.
Due to the history and affiliation of the venue, artists who perform at Fox & Locke often fall under the category of Americana music, although this genre can take many shapes. Unlike the reputation of nearby Honkey Tonks, the Fox & Locke isn’t exclusively for country music, as the venue celebrates all the diverse facets of Americana culture and sounds. The venue especially emphasizes local musicians and has many repeat performers with loyal local followings. This being said, whoever you are, getting the opportunity to share your talents on the stage at Fox & Locke is absolutely worth a shot!
Fox & Locke Open Mic Consideration Contact: 615-802-8585
Americana Music Triangle
Also owned and operated by Aubrey Preston, the Americana Music Triangle (AMT) is a non-profit organization associated with Fox & Locke. In the Americana Music Triangle, which is the physical stretch of land between Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans, there are 9 distinct and thriving genres of music that have evolved along the banks of the Mississippi River. Over centuries of tradition—brought to the region by Native Americans and settlers from all different cultures—the genres have developed strong and vibrant roots that have informed the diversity of Americana music. These 9 established genres include the Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Southern Gospel, Cajun/Zydeco, R&B/Soul, Jazz, Country, Gospel, and Bluegrass music. Our region has played a special role in the development of all of these musical styles.
Through its online project, Americana Music Triangle makes it easier for tourists and enthusiasts to experience the sights and sounds within the triangle, which spans 1,500 miles of highway, cities, and towns that have contributed greatly to the rich musical landscape. Fans are encouraged to follow The Gold Record Road, or the loop of highway between Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans, to immerse themselves in the music. Along the Gold Record Road, you’ll find a collection of musical and cultural attractions that celebrate these genres. Fox & Locke, of course, is a premier destination on the route.
Through the nonprofit’s website, one can find extensive guides and information about specific venues, historical sites, driving trails, and music events, through which you can experience spaces that keep the heart and soul of Americana music alive. Through its platform, the Americana Music Triangle plays a huge role in promoting educational resources, tourism, historic preservation, economic development, and music advocacy, ensuring that important historic locations remain open and operating.
Beyond Fox & Locke: More About Leiper’s Fork
Leiper’s Fork is an unincorporated village located on the Eastern edge of Franklin. Home to about 650 residents, the quaint area is known for its rural and cultural landscape. The celebration of Southern artists is so prevalent in the village that Leiper’s Fork has been dubbed a central location for Tennessee arts and culture. Alongside the musical talent showcased at Fox & Locke, there are a plethora of unique local shops and art galleries that display and sell fine art and artisanal goods made throughout the region. Other attractions include antiques shops, retreats, and special experiences such as Wines in the Fork, which gives guests the opportunity to drink wine and dine in Leiper’s Creek, the creek, and village namesake, that runs through Leiper’s Fork.
The area was first settled in the early 1700s, with the establishment of the recognized historic district taking place in 1801. Leiper’s Fork remains a charming destination for people from near and far who wish to step into a well preserved time capsule of Tennessee history, culture, and charm. Follow our guide to learn more about the area and it’s attractions, with notes on how to spend the perfect day in the historic village, located just 15 minutes away from Historic Downtown Franklin.
Heart & Soul
From corner to corner, Williamson County is a place overflowing with the distinct beauty, heritage, and hospitality of the South. There is so much to be proud of about our Middle Tennessee home and its tapestry of communities, each with its own history and landscape. There is no better way to tell our stories than through the arts. The abundance of music in and around Williamson County is a unique blessing, as we are constantly surrounded by incredible talent, expression, and inspiration. Some of the best songs in the world have come from our small part of the world, as wonderful music has echoed over the rolling blue hills for generations. Areas like Leiper’s Fork, which take special care to preserve historical spaces, participate in continuing a legacy that will hopefully remain steadfast for years to come.
Our neighbors over in Nashville are known for their illustrious music industry, from the world-renowned Music Row and Ryman Auditorium, all the way to the Grand Ole Opry. Just down the road from these iconic spots, our county is certainly not lacking in musical talent and destinations. In fact, here there are abundant opportunities for artists of all mediums. Just outside of the bustling city, locals and visitors have the opportunity to experience Tennessee culture at a slower pace. With this in mind, should you find yourself in Franklin, Tennessee, follow the sound of guitar strings all the way to Fox & Locke in Leiper’s Fork!
