NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The future of the iconic music venue Exit/In is up in the air after the owners announced they're stepping aside.
In 2021, there were questions surrounding the future of the venue after it was sold. Now, there's a historic overlay.
"The exact effect on this zoning is dependent on the Historic Commission, but it should prevent complete destruction of the building," Exit/In said in a statement.
Exit/In thanked the more than 4,000 people who donated to keep the venue independent.
"Revisiting the number of donations and outcry of support gives us hope for the future and has allowed us to continue fighting," the venue said.
The full statement can be read below:
"Just the soul of this town getting replaced with glass and chrome,” Glenn Simmons said, reflecting on the sale of the venue. “Nothing sacred.”
Across from Exit/In, apartments on Elliston Place are being demolished, and a hotel will be built in its place.
"It makes me really sad; Nashville is changing so much. They’re knocking down these apartments that are a hundred years old too — everything’s just changing," Vanessa Schilling said.
The buildings across from EXIT/IN are being demolished for a new hotel to be built. This comes on the same day that the EXIT/IN owners said they are stepping aside from the music venue after more than 50 years @nc5 pic.twitter.com/fVVpz0WpxB
— Alexandra Koehn (@NC5_AKoehn) November 14, 2022
"And for them to be here this long, I just don’t get that. Why are they kicking them out?" Sabrina McCuiston said. "I would want it to stay."
The property is now owned by AJ Capital Partners. We've reached out to them for an update on their plans but did not hear back.
"I hate to see all the older stuff disappear," McCuiston said. "What are they going to build? Condos?"
This sign posted outside Exit/In prompted some mild agreement:
"It does for the old people," Simmons said, reading the "New Nashville Sucks" sticker. "Not for the young ones 'cause they can’t miss what they never saw."
With the historic overlay, it's likely music will be here in some capacity.
"That’s got a lot of spirits in that building,” Simmons said.
But longtime Nashvillians are mourning what the city has lost.
"The vibe of Nashville is just not the same anymore; it doesn’t necessarily feel like Music City anymore," Schilling said.
There are ongoing court proceedings regarding the Exit/In trademark.
