Getahn Ward

The Tennessean

Several construction projects underway have only added to parking pressures in the Hillsboro Village area.

That has the owner of Pancake Pantry exploring various space options.

Metro Councilwoman Burkley Allen cites construction workers competing for on-street spaces with business patrons and employees of Vanderbilt and Hillsboro Village merchants among contributors to the parking challenges.

The owner of one of Nashville's most popular eateries, Pancake Pantry, is exploring alternate locations amid growing concerns about parking in Hillsboro Village.

Possibilities also could include adding new concepts beyond the iconic restaurant, which Williamson County resident Crosby Keltner bought earlier this year.

"Pancake Pantry doesn't want to go anywhere, but we need parking for our employees and our guests," he said. "The businesses in Hillsboro Village need parking to continue to thrive."

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With car and pedestrian traffic already up in the popular shopping and entertainment district southwest of downtown, several construction projects have only added to parking pressures in the Hillsboro Village area.

But Metro Councilwoman Burkley Allen sees the projects — such as the mixed-use Village 21 at Regions Park at 21st and Wedgewood, the Moxy hotel at 20th and Belcourt avenues and the Belcourt Village mixed-use project that Elmington Capital plans across from the Belcourt Theatre — ultimately being part of the solution.

"They have temporarily added to the problem," she said. "When they're done, we'll be getting more parking, but we just have to get through the transition."

Allen cites construction workers competing for on-street spaces with patrons of businesses and employees of Vanderbilt and Hillsboro Village merchants among contributors to the parking challenges. She said general contractors overseeing projects are required to provide alternate off-site parking from which construction workers can be transported to job sites.

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Chase Hewett, general manager for the Biscuit Love restaurant that opened in June at 2001 Belcourt Ave., shares Keltner's concerns about parking. "It's one on the things that's made it hard on local businesses here," he said.

But like Allen, Hewett's looking forward to the Moxy hotel project that's rising next door adding more parking for the area's patrons upon completion.

In conjunction with buying Pancake Pantry from the Baldwin family, Keltner said he signed a long-term lease on the restaurant's location. Pancake Pantry's 42 employees and the restaurant's customers use a combination of parking spaces below and behind the H.G. Realty-owned building, plus on-street parking and other nearby lots.

Changes under the watch of Kelter and Pancake Pantry's General Manager Sharde Curry have included music playing inside and outside that restaurant. A storage room and new grill were also added, while the online ordering system is being tested.

"This place just has a special charm to it," Curry said. "I don't think it can be replicated at another location."

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More pedestrian foot traffic was among the appeals for Courtney Webb, who in April moved her Hey Rooster General Store from East Nashville to Hillsboro Village. She said patrons who become familiar with the area are better able to find parking.

"It's worth being here," Webb added, citing an increased in sales since setting up shop at 1711 21st Ave S. "The parking is very low on the list of things I worry about. It's still location, location, location."

Reach Getahn Ward at gward@tennessean.com or 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.