Nashville has a steadily growing economy that leverages the city’s long history and rich popular culture. The local retail landscape includes brands that have significant contributions to the local industry and the national economy as well. In building retail projects, entrepreneurs will encounter frictions with the schedule, the budget, and other logistical elements. This list features the best retail contractors in Nashville, contractors who can meet these challenges and exceed expectations.
Our editorial team has done extensive research to shortlist the city’s best contractors. We assessed each firm based on a set of criteria that considers work history, capacity, and overall quality of work.
Baron Construction
652 Ezell Rd., Nashville, TN 37217
Established in 1988, Baron Construction is a construction firm specializing in office, retail, medical, institutional, and industrial properties. Michael Baron studied Civil Engineering at Tennessee Technological University and previously served as CEO of Baron + Dowdle Construction. The firm treats commercial construction with a high level of care and professionalism—professionalism that aims to finish each project on time and on budget with the highest level of quality possible.
The firm has thorough experience building boutiques, large-scale shopping centers, and specialty retail stores. The Avenue, an open-air lifestyle retail center in Murfreesboro, is one of the firm’s most outstanding retail projects. The project brought some considerable challenges, including the demolition of old structures which is why Baron took extra precautions in completing the project. The firm has also provided impressive work for Delk Industries, Sports Com, and other independent businesses.
DWC Construction
800 6th Ave. S, Ste. #100 Nashville, TN 37203
DWC Construction is a commercial construction company serving Middle Tennessee since 1947. Over the years the firm has built a significant reputation and following; today, DWC is the go-to name in commercial construction. President and CEO John Arndt is equipped with over 40 years of industry experience, always useful in the firm’s day-to-day operations of building sophisticated projects in a modern context. The firm is also sensitive to its clientele’s budgets and goals, knowing that businesses operate under tight financial monitoring.
The firm’s arsenal of retail projects includes large-scale, high-value buildings such as the Werthan Granite facility. The family-owned enterprise enlisted the services of DWC to upgrade their retail space which was previously a humble warehouse. DWC built ample retail showroom space with multiple meeting rooms to better accommodate Werthan’s growing clientele.
Harvest Construction
630 Southgate Ave., Ste. E, Nashville, TN 37203
In business for over two decades, Harvest Construction is a trusted Nashville-based construction company. The firm was founded by 40-year construction veteran Tim Farley. Farley and the Harvest leadership team continue to guide the firm with honesty and integrity. These values enabled the firm to acquire a spot at Nashville Business Journal’s Fast 50 list in 2016.
Harvest has completed projects in multiple market sectors including restaurants, historical renovations, academic institutions, warehouses, and retail establishments. Dickens Turf and Landscape Supply hired Harvest to construct several retail locations. The firm gave the locations ample retail space for Dickens to display their impressive array of hardware and landscaping materials.
IKON Construction
416 Wilson Pike Cir., Brentwood, TN 37027
With the straightforward mission to provide the best work to Nashville residents, IKON Construction was founded in 1999. In the years that followed, the firm provided the full range of construction services from consulting, construction proper, design-build delivery, estimating, and planning. IKON is the brainchild of President and CEO Dave LeFeve. He has been active in Nashville’s commercial construction industry since the mid-1980s and understands the nuances of the local industry as well as its unique challenges.
The IKON portfolio showcases the firm’s best works in multiple industries, including retail. One of the firm’s most esteemed clients is R.B.’s Cyclery, found in a shopping area near Franklin. The bicycle store tagged Ikon to build a 2,000-square-foot retail space that gives customers a panoramic view of R.B.’s products. IKON built the space with modernity and sleek design elements in mind.
MTLC Building Group
119 SE Pkwy. Ct., Ste. #200, Franklin, TN 37064
Matthew Tidwell and Louis Catignani have been general contractors since 2002. Tidwell and Catignani not only share a profession but a passion for craftsmanship and delivery of quality output. Tidwell began his career working in a superintendent role for WT DuBois Construction. That same construction company also employed Louis Catignani prior to his involvement in MTLC. Mr. Catignani studied Construction Management at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which Tidwell also attended.
MTLC understands the need for entrepreneurs to deliver the most optimal facilities to ensure that their businesses go smoothly on-schedule and on-budget. This keen understanding of the market allows the firm to be a top choice for commercial construction in the area. Independent business owners adore working with MTLC. ROOTED, a high-end sneaker store in Nashville, is one of the important brands under the MTLC portfolio. The firm did a complete build-out for the boutique, providing an impressive 2,600 square-foot stage for rare sneakers, accessories, and select menswear pieces.
Ochoa Bros. Construction
2200 21st Ave. S, Nashville, TN 37212
Founded in 2006. Ochoa Bros. Construction is a prominent design-build firm offering full-service design and construction services to Nashville residents and businesses. The firm has been led by Aaron Ochoa—a Nashville construction veteran—since 2000. Mr. Ochoa takes pride in his workmanship and advanced construction techniques. He has a hands-on approach to day-to-day operations and maintains a high standard of design in every project. The firm has an in-house team of cabinet and welding professionals that completes the full-service experience provided.
The Ochoa portfolio includes projects with national brands in multiple industries including household names like Jack Daniel’s and Harley Davidson. The showroom built for Jack Daniel’s combines a bar, retail space, and merchandise display, and does so with quiet grace. The project demonstrates how great craftsmanship can bring out the best of a retail project
