Located about 30 miles south of Nashville, Leiper’s Fork—a bucolic village in Franklin, Tennessee—offers a slice of old-fashioned Americana. Since the early aughts, preservationists Aubrey and Michele Preston have worked tirelessly to safeguard its rural character, maintaining a refuge for naturalists and creatives alike.
This tight-knit community thrives on frequent gatherings, creating a deep sense of belonging for those who call it home. From unique boutiques to art galleries, Leiper’s Fork is a shopper’s delight.
Must-Visit Stops
Recognizable by its rustic log-and-chink façade, Moo Country brings cowgirl-glam fashions to Leiper’s Fork. Opened in 2018 by Montana native and stylist Dawn Ann Ritter, the boutique corrals domestic-made, Western-inspired wares—think fringed jackets, turquoise jewelry, and artisan-crafted boots and hats—attracting both country stars and locals.
Ensconced in the village’s 1914 general store is Patina Home & Garden, the impeccably curated shop of designer Brooke Giannetti and her husband, architect Steve Giannetti. Charming inventory includes Belgian linens, hand-dipped candles, Swedish antiques and, of course, the couple’s two tomes.
Related: Boulder’s best spots for art lovers
Artistic Expression
Artist and retailer David Arms recently moved to a new namesake space dedicated to his uplifting artwork, most of which incorporates birds as symbolic representations of the human spirit. Just a few doors down from his former 19th-century barn location, the freshly renovated David Arms Studio offers his reliably genteel retail selection, artfully arranged among leather trunks, trophy mounts, apothecary bottles and tartan-skirted tables.
Leiper’s Creek Gallery, established in 2001 by owner Lisa Fox, helped to trailblaze the village’s creative revival. Found in a rehabbed midcentury gas station, the salon-style space features 15-foot-tall ceilings, a cozy fireplace and handpicked antiques staged by Nashville designer Robin Rains.
Future Developments
Bentontown, a charming bookstore, is anticipated to open by 2026 under the direction of local designer Trinity Shay. Inspired by Thomas Hart Benton—famed artist and descendant of one of the town’s founding fathers—Shay’s new retail concept will combine rich woods, sage green, double-stacked bookcases with rolling ladders, a tea café and serene riverfront reading area.
