In 2020, as the world faced unprecedented challenges, country music superstar Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, decided to take action in their own backyard. They opened The Store—a free, fully stocked grocery store in Nashville—aimed at fighting food insecurity with dignity and compassion.
The concept was simple but transformative: instead of a traditional food pantry where people receive pre-packed boxes, The Store allows individuals and families to shop for what they need, at no cost, just as they would in any regular supermarket. Shopping carts replace handouts, shelves are neatly stocked, and volunteers serve as staff—turning an act of necessity into an experience that preserves self-respect.
Access to The Store is made possible through referrals from nonprofit and government agencies, allowing qualified individuals and families to shop there for up to one year. Since opening, the location has become a lifeline for more than 1,000 people each year—families struggling to make ends meet, seniors living on fixed incomes, and workers hit hard by economic downturns.
But the Paisleys aren’t stopping there. This year, they announced a major expansion: a second The Store will open at TriStar Centennial Medical Center. The new site aims to serve patients and families facing both health and financial challenges, ensuring that no one leaves the hospital worrying about how they’ll afford their next meal.
To kickstart the project, Brad and Kimberly personally donated the first $1 million toward the $5 million needed for construction. Their generosity and vision have inspired donors, volunteers, and community leaders to rally behind the effort.
“This isn’t a food pantry where we hand out boxes of other people’s leftovers,” said Collen Mayer, CEO of The Store. “Instead, it’s designed like a regular grocery store, with the same dignity, choice, and quality that any shopper would expect.”
For Brad and Kimberly, the mission is about more than food—it’s about restoring dignity, easing burdens, and creating a place where neighbors can help neighbors. In a city known for its music, The Store is quietly composing its own song—one of hope, compassion, and community.
