Owners refocusing on South Carolina store base

The first retail tenant to commit to the massive Aertson Midtown development near Vanderbilt University on Monday evening said it will close its doors at the end of this week.

In social media messages, Caviar & Bananas co-owner Kris Furniss said he and his wife Margaret are moving on from their move into Nashville to refocus on their four locations in South Carolina.

"We were so grateful to meet our one-year milestone last week, and while we had hoped to continue with our dreams for this amazing location, we were faced with a very difficult decision," Kris Furniss wrote. "Margaret and I have been in this business for over 15 years and have never given up without a fight, which makes closing so very heartbreaking for us all — but right now, we have decided for the brand that we continue our focus on our South Carolina presence."

The Furnisses signed on in the spring of 2016 to bring 10-year-old Caviar & Bananas, which featured both a gourmet market and a cafe, to about 6,600 square feet in Buckingham Companies' Aertson project. They were later joined as retail and dining tenants by high-end sports bar The Ainsworth, The Woodhouse Day Spa and tacos-and-cocktails concept Nada.

Word of the pending exit of Caviar & Bananas came about 12 hours after Jacobie Olin said he has closed the doors to downtown pub Back Alley Diner.

