Don Dugan reopens previous South on Main space as The Busker

South on Main
Brian Chilson

Simply a couple of days into 2023 we reported that South on Main owner Don Dugan had closed the restaurant and music venue at 1304 S. Main St. and had concurred in terms on the sale. That sale fell through. Dugan said there were other potential purchasers interested in the home, however nothing materialized.

Dugan stated that after some thought, he and his partner and business partner Tasha Stratton decided play to their strengths and reopen as a neighborhood bar, dining establishment and music location called The Busker, using friendly bar food.

The set likewise own downtown restaurants Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro and Dugan's Pub together with Stratton's Market. From 2006 up until 2011 they owned the previous Markham Street Grill & & Pub.

Dugan and Stratton bought South on Main at the beginning of 2020 when previous owner chef Matt Bell accepted an executive chef position at Gray & & Dudley, the dining establishment in the 21c Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Bell opened South on Main in collaboration with the Oxford American in 2013. The timing of the purchase was unfortunate, Dugan said, due to the fact that he took control of just weeks prior to the start of the pandemic. The restaurant kept the Southern-style menu, but the shows partnership with Oxford American ended.
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Dugan said the principle just wasn't working, and it was time to retool and rebrand.

" I think we both just type of concerned the awareness that we wanted food that was going to be approachable and comfy-- something that individuals might be available in three, four days a week, not an as soon as a week or when a month or unless it's sort of a special celebration," Dugan said.
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Dugan stated live music will continue at the space.

" I thought it would be insane to step away from that," he stated. That doesn't make any sense," he stated with a laugh.

When asked about the dining establishment's name, Dugan stated he desired it to tie into music and entertainment. The idea is to get a lot of regional skill to come in and play and carry out and give them a location," he said.

Dugan said they do mean to book local and nationwide talent, but the idea is to invite as much local talent as they can.
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The Busker remains in a soft opening period today. The doors were open today, however Dugan said he's not going to start promoting the opening on social networks until next week. "I simply want to get open and get a weekend under our belt," he stated.

Hours will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wed.-Thu.; 11 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.