What built Broadway into a global destination—and why does some of that feel at risk today?

In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, I sit down with Barrett Hobbs, a multigenerational Nashville operator and founder of Cumberland Hospitality Group, for a candid conversation about the city’s growth, the business engine behind downtown, and the growing disconnect between those driving economic development and those shaping public policy.

We talk about:

* How Broadway became one of the most successful entertainment districts in America

* The role independent operators played in building modern Nashville

* Why Barrett believes city leadership is losing touch with business realities

* The tension between neighborhood priorities and downtown economic interests

* Property taxes, public policy, infrastructure, and the pressures facing operators

* What happens when government and business stop speaking the same language

* Why civic disagreement doesn’t have to mean personal division

This is not a conversation about choosing sides. It’s a conversation about perspective—how different people can want different things for Nashville and still care about the same city.

Whether you agree with Barrett or not, this episode is an important look into how one longtime operator sees the challenges ahead.

If you care about Nashville, independent restaurants, or the future of this city, this one is worth your time.