Franklin’s historic home décor shop & high fashion boutique

Zula & Mac

Longtime residents of Franklin will recall that the historic buildings at 301 Lewisburg Avenue have long been home to distinctive, successful commercial businesses. That includes Henry’s Market, a neighborhood grocery store that operated from the 1940s thru the mid-’80s, as well as The GilCo, a popular burger joint during the ’40s and ’50s. Then for more than three decades, it was home to Country Charm Antique Mall, which was owned and operated by Hazel Green (the mother of the current owner of Zula & Mac), a high-end home décor shop/high fashion boutique named for the owner’s grandmother and granddaughter, respectively.

"In terms of our home décor, we sell unique furniture pieces, accents, and custom upholstery. We also have higher end lighting, including lamps, fixtures, and chandeliers,” begins officer manager Amy Martin. “And we have the best down-fill pillows in town; they are top-notch. Some are custom chosen by us through our vendors, and some are one-of-a-kind. You are not going to find them anywhere else in town.

"We often get one run, and then we can't get anymore,” adds Martin’s colleague, Missie Hanson, before talking up the ladies’ boutique, which can be found in the back of Zula & Mac’s main building and features a diverse variety of classy-looking yet stylish clothing, accessories, shoes, and jewelry. The majority of the latter is made by artist Wendy Fiedor of Rusted Angel Studio, while Zula & Mac also features handcrafted necklaces and bracelets from Franklin-based Morgan & Me Designs.

Another point of pride for Zula & Mac is its impressive selection of florals. 

“We are really choosy when we pick them, and they are as realistic as we can find," says Martin, noting that "we sell by the stem and also help customers assemble custom arrangements.”

Last but not least, Zula & Mac also offers design services. 

"We are more than happy to have appointments in store,” begins Hanson, “or clients can arrange for an appointment at home through our design service, noting that Zula & Mac is on both Facebook and Instagram. “Customers can bring in a picture or video, and we can help them decide on their pieces or direction. Or if they want in-home help, they can make an appointment with me, and I go out to their house for a consult. Then if they want me to continue as a full-fledged designer, I am just like any other designer around town,” she continues.

As for Zula & Mac's clientele, Martin and Hanson say they see customers ranging from 20-somethings to octogenarians, with a healthy mix of Nashville area residents and out-of-state visitors.

“We get people from all over the Nashville metropolitan area. And let’s not forget the tourists, especially those from Alabama and Kentucky,” says Martin, many of whom have become regular customers. 

Zula & Mac also attracts a lot of designers who come to shop for themselves and on behalf of their clients.  

All of this has helped Zula & Mac thrive to the point where ownership could conceivably choose to open a second location. 

“We just keep growing and getting busier, and we hope that continues,” says Hanson. “We are so thankful for Franklin and everybody’s support of the business. We are blessed and still figuring out new things every day,” she adds, emphasizing how much she and her colleagues have enjoyed building relationships with their customers.

“Oh my gosh, our repeats are just beautiful. They are like sisters and grandmas next door,” she concludes. “Even though we have grown so much and there are so many people here now, it’s still small-town Franklin. We have had beautiful experiences.”

Address:Zula and Mac is located at 301 Lewisburg Avenue in Franklin

Visit www.Zulaandmachome.com