Midtown Noshville to close after 19 years

Lizzy Alfs | USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Noshville Delicatessen, a popular Nashville restaurant, will close its Midtown location after 19 years.

The New York-style deli at 1918 Broadway will close at the end of business on Dec. 27. Staff was notified Monday.

The announcement comes after developer Land Development.com purchased the Noshville property and surrounding sites for a planned 25-story mixed-use development.

In a statement, Noshville owner Tom Loventhal said he originally planned to continue operating the restaurant into 2016, but the rising cost of insurance premiums and government requirements related to the Affordable Care Act presented an “unacceptable risk.”

Excerpts from the statement:

The administrative time and costs of managing mandated health insurance in the restaurant industry create an untenable burden, and that’s before the cost of premiums. We knew this was coming and I’ve been studying it since it was first announced, but I have not been able to find a viable path that makes business sense to continue into 2016 under these new provisions when we know the restaurant will be closing in a matter of months.

I’ve been in the restaurant and insurance businesses a long time, active in industry associations, and even been to Washington more than once to meet with our delegation on key issues. I’ve spent many hours, including some sleepless nights trying to find a solution, but I can’t find one.

I am forever grateful to the employees and customers who have made Noshville what it has been for 19 years, and we will be working with staff members to help however we can in this transition.

Led by developer Ardavan Afrakhteh, Land Development.com’s plans for the site include condos, apartments, a hotel and retail space. Beyond the Noshville site, the overall footprint includes the former home of Manuel American Designs and the location of J&J's Market & Cafe. Land Development.com has taken the owners of J&J’s to court seeking to declare void the market’s lease that runs through 2022.

In an interview, Loventhal said he’s had conversations with the property owner about the possibility of reopening Noshville as part of the redevelopment, but it's unclear if that would be an option.

“There have been conversations, yes, but that’s (the developers) call. …It’s too early to tell. At any rate, I was going to have to close at some point anyway (for the redevelopment),” Loventhal said.

Loventhal said he’s grateful for Noshville’s loyal customers and employees.

“The restaurant wouldn’t be where it is or as successful without loyal employees and customers. …We’ve had customers that come in two, three, four times a week at all of our locations, not just this location,” Loventhal said.

The Noshville locations at 4014 Hillsboro Circle in Green Hills and at the Nashville International Airport will remain open, Loventhal said.

Reach Lizzy Alfs at 615-726-5948 and on Twitter @lizzyalfs.