Canteen on Carothers Brings New Dining, Shopping, and Gathering Spaces to Cool Springs
Cool Springs is about to get a new destination for dining, shopping, and community gatherings with the arrival of Canteen on Carothers, a 10-acre mixed-use development transforming an outdated office park into a modern, walkable experience.
Developed by Stockbridge Capital Group and leased by Foundry Commercial, the project is designed by TMP to bring together restaurants, retail, and green spaces in a pedestrian-friendly setting. Located on Crescent Centre Drive just east of I-65, the site focuses on accessibility, visibility, and a blend of local and regional tenants.
A Walkable Destination in Cool Springs with Dining, Courtyard, and Event Space
Canteen on Carothers, which broke ground in August 2023, features six single-story retail and restaurant buildings totaling approximately 28,000 square feet. The buildings are arranged around a landscaped central courtyard with a water feature, open green areas, and a partially covered event pavilion. This layout encourages foot traffic between businesses and creates a comfortable space for socializing, outdoor dining, and live entertainment.
A four-tier, 600-space parking deck sits behind the development, keeping parking convenient but out of sight from the main courtyard. The inclusion of a covered stage will make the space ideal for seasonal events, live music, and community activities.
Restaurants and Shops Coming to Canteen on Carothers in Franklin
Several notable tenants have already committed to opening at Canteen on Carothers, bringing a mix of flavors and experiences to the development.
Char, a modern Southern-style steakhouse from 4Top Hospitality, will occupy about 6,500 square feet. Known for its upscale dining room, bar, and private event space, Char will also feature a spacious patio. Guests can expect live piano music every night, a jazz trio during Sunday brunch, an award-winning wine list, craft cocktails, and an extensive whiskey and bourbon selection. Scheduled to open in early 2026, the new Char will be the brand’s fifth location and second in the Nashville metro area.
PennePazze, a family-owned Italian kitchen founded by Rony Stark, will open a 3,400-square-foot restaurant at Canteen on Carothers in early 2026, bringing its new ‘Gelato Pazzo’ concept to Franklin. The location will feature an outdoor patio and an Italian market offering fresh and dry pasta, sauces, and imported goods, while continuing the brand’s open-kitchen approach, where everything is made in-house. The Franklin expansion follows existing locations in Nashville and Murfreesboro, with another opening soon in Germantown.
Scout’s Barbershop, Nashville’s first unisex, walk-in barbershop, will open its eighth Middle Tennessee location at Canteen on Carothers in fall 2025. The new 1,166-square-foot space will feature eight stylists’ chairs and carry on the brand’s laid-back, community-focused atmosphere, where guests are welcomed with a complimentary local craft beer or sparkling water. Founded in 2013, Scout’s has grown into a neighborhood staple across Nashville and beyond, with locations in East Nashville, Sylvan Park, the Gulch, Germantown, Wedgewood-Houston, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, and downtown Franklin.
barre3, a global fitness brand, is opening a new studio at Canteen on Carothers in 2025. The 1,600-square-foot studio will be co-owned by Annie Williams, Jessie Ganick, and Francie Corcoran, who also operate barre3 Brentwood. The Franklin location will offer the brand’s signature 45- and 60-minute classes that combine strength, cardio, and mindfulness, along with specialized formats such as B3 Strength and B3 Cardio. This will be the fourth barre3 studio in the Greater Nashville area, joining Brentwood, the Gulch, and White Bridge Road.
Canteen on Carothers Designed for Community
The vision for Canteen on Carothers goes beyond simply adding new restaurants and shops. The project incorporates event-friendly infrastructure, shaded seating, and design elements that make the space inviting year-round. The pedestrian-friendly layout is intended to create a “main street” feel in the middle of Cool Springs, encouraging people to linger rather than simply pass through.
With its blend of national concepts and locally grown businesses, Canteen on Carothers will cater to office workers during the day, local residents in the evenings, and visitors on weekends. The combination of green space, water features, and performance areas positions the development as a versatile community hub.
Timeline for Openings at Canteen on Carothers in Franklin’s Cool Springs
Construction is progressing, with Scout’s Barbershop and barre 3 both expected to open in 2025. Char and PennePazze are expected to follow in early 2026, with additional tenant announcements expected as leasing continues. Once complete, the mix of dining, grooming, shopping, and entertainment options will make Canteen on Carothers a new go-to spot in Franklin’s Cool Springs area.
For updates on the development and tenant openings, visit Foundry Commercial’s project page.
