John Rich of the country duo Big and Rich announced he will be opening a new bar in Nashville on Lower Broadway.
Later this year, Rich will open Redneck Riviera. The honky tonk will take the place of Mike's Ice Cream.
Some people are upset to see the small business be kicked out of the spot.
Andrea Scott Caudill said, “It’s kinda sad, I really liked that it had the ice cream place so. It looks like there’s enough bars running around.”
Mike's Ice Cream is trying to find a place to relocate. People voiced their support on our Facebook page.
Patsy Williamson said, “I’ll always be sad to see a business that’s been down here so long shut their doors cuz I’m an old soul and I like the old traditions but hopefully John Rich will let people know it’s the building where Loretta Lynch got her first guitar!”
For Rich, opening a bar in his hometown is sentimental. He said Nashville has become a competitive market.
“I’ve always dreamed of building the kind of place where my friends and family could get together and turn it up after a hard day’s work. Redneck Riviera is that place. We are going to build as many of them as it takes to offer a place for every hard-working American to cut loose and celebrate a job well done!," stated Rich in a news release.
City leaders were glad to see Rich giving back to his roots.
"I love it when artists and musicians like John Rich who have found success in Nashville turn around and invest back in our community," said Nashville’s Mayor Megan Barry. "John's Redneck Riviera will be a great addition to Lower Broad and fun for visitors and Nashvillians alike."
The Las Vegas location will also offer a menu from the famed Wahlburgers, which is located just beneath Redneck Riviera.
He's not the first country singer to get in on the Lower Broadway craze.
Alan Jackson is part owner of Acme Feed and Seed, and Dierks Bentley will open his bar on Lower Broadway next year.
