The Murfreesboro Pulse

12/16/2025

All Aboard! 🚂🎄🎁

Get a Lionel Train set for around the tree, and for all through the year, at Thor’s Furniture and Lionel Trains. This locally owned spot, at 416 Medical Center Pkwy. in , sells new and used Lionel sets and pieces of all gauges, as well as other toys and collectables, along with handmade furniture large and small, from small tables and footstools to sturdy bookcases and desks.

Support local businesses this Christmas season and find thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list! Check out these other independent spots if you need some unique holiday shopping ideas. 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/murfreesboros-2025-local-christmas-time-gift-guide/

12/16/2025

Dec. 20 – OFlow High Tea Party ☕️🎄💚

Oflow (115 N. Maple St. in ) will host a Christmas high tea party on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 1–2:30 p.m. The limited-set menu will feature nine different pastries and savories as well as fresh-brewed loose leaf tea from Music City Tea, coffee from Narrow Gate Coffee, and Taiwanese Bubble Tea. The cost is $35 per person or $20 for children between 3–8 years old, plus tax. OFLOW asks that you dress for a high tea party (semi-formal or smart casual). There will be a prize for the best-dressed. Reservations are limited. A nonrefundable $10 per-person fee is required to secure your spot. For more information, find Oflow’s Christmas High Tea Party event on Facebook or call 615-900-1676.

More Community Events 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/december-2025-community-events/

12/15/2025

Dec. 18–19 – Dashing Through the Snow ❄️🎄⭐️

Welcome to the Snowflake Inn in Tinsel, Texas, where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. Written by three-member collective Jones Hope Wooten, Dashing Through the Snow follows the chaos and antics that take place in a Christmas-themed Bed and Breakfast in the Lone Star State. From affairs to family feuds to the Christmas Carol, will Trina Walcott, the owner of the B&B, survive the season? Or will more than just the halls be decked? This is a hilarious evening filled with raucous guests, family secrets and the charm of small-town Christmas, performed by Murfreesboro Little Theatre MLT at Oaklands Mansion Maney Hall (900 N. Maney Ave. in ) Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at mltarts.com and oaklandsmansion.org.

More Community Events 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/december-2025-community-events/

12/15/2025

Every year you must remember
the second Sunday of December.

townsfolk, young and old
Head down to Main Street in the freezing cold.

Christmas music is loudly played
While children dance about—it’s the Christmas parade!

The horses trot, the Grinch is grinning
A concrete truck is lit and spinning.

Willie Wonka’s chocolate river flows by
And there’s the Patriots, the champs, from Oakland High!

Marching band sounds are heard far and near
I hope that person knows how to steer.

Skateboarders are whizzing down the street
Like a gang of elves with wheels on their feet.

Reece’s Cups wrapped in foil of gold
Still tasty when frozen hard from the cold.

Merry Christmas, a candidate for office said
Hey look, a tribute to that zebra named Ed!

Vintage cars roll by, the end is drawing near
But wait, hold your horses, Santa Claus is here!

Flying candy spreads holiday cheer
There’s a reason it’s called the best season of the year.

✍️ Poem by Bracken Mayo & Family

📸 More Highlights From the 2025 Christmas Parade 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/highlights-from-the-2025-murfreesboro-christmas-parade/

12/13/2025

Fire Rescue responded to a person trapped inside a stormwater drain on Pennington Dr. last night. The person was about 70 feet inside the drain.

12/13/2025

After much anticipation, Las Trojas Cantina Murfreesboro, TN has officially opened the newest location of its beloved Mexican restaurant at 3105 Medical Center Pkwy., , marking the 11th restaurant for the family-owned brand.

“It was a long time coming, but we’re finally here,” manager Anahi Martinez said. “And we’re excited to show Murfreesboro what Las Trojas Cantina brings to the table!”

Although Las Trojas has other locations throughout Alabama, and Georgia, Martinez stresses that the brand is 100% family owned and operated.

“We are constantly trying to think of new ideas to create better customer experiences,” she said. That approach shows in the Murfreesboro build-out, which features authentic decor, a large central bar, and a tortilla maker producing fresh, house-made tortillas daily.

The space also includes two private dining rooms, each able to seat up to 30 guests—ideal for team lunches, birthday gatherings, or family events. A 264-guest total capacity, 22 televisions tuned to live sports, and a bar that seats 26 make the new location one of the most spacious Mexican dining options in Rutherford County, designed with families and large groups in mind.

Weekday Happy Hour runs from 2–5 p.m., with specials including a $6.99 small traditional margarita and deals across the “Favorite Fiesta Drinks” lineup.

While standard favorites like fajitas, chimichangas and enchiladas anchor the menu, the Medical Center Parkway location also features several exclusive dishes:

Birria Ramen – Tender, slow-cooked birria in a rich, flavorful broth with ramen noodles, cilantro, onion and a soft-boiled egg.

Oaxaca Burger – (pronounced wah-HAH-kah) Locally sourced beef topped with melted Oaxaca cheese and crispy bacon paired with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo.

Carne Asada Fries – Their flavorful carne asada served over fries and smothered in cheese dip.

Daily Lunch Specials run 11 a.m.–3 p.m., with items like the chimichanga, burrito real and fajitas ranging from $11.50–$18. Guests can also assemble a four-item dinner combination each night for $16.

More 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/las-trojas-cantina-opens-murfreesboro-location-the-home-of-the-margarona-mexican-restaurant-brings-big-flavor/

12/13/2025

UPDATE: Wind chill values will be near 0 Sunday morning. Remember to protect your pipes and pets tonight and tomorrow morning, as well as dressing for the cold if you have any outdoor activities. Things won't get much better during the day either, as this begins a stretch of cold where we won't get above freezing for 36 hours!
___

Enjoy the mid 50-degree temps on Saturday while it lasts. Very cold air is expected across Middle with temperatures plummeting below freezing Saturday night and remaining below freezing from Saturday night until Monday morning, with lows in the single digits Sunday night. 🥶

12/12/2025

🎶🎤🥁🎵🎸 Check the Pulse Concert Calendar for live music in :

https://boropulse.com/calendar/

12/12/2025

Franklin's Fruit Tea has been awarded $50,000 at a national pitch competition created by artist, producer, entrepreneur and cultural visionary Pharrell Williams, whose influence spans music, fashion, innovation and philanthropy. The finals were held during mid-November in Miami, and out of more than 2,500 applicants, Franklin’s Fruit Tea advanced to the top six companies in the nation, earning company principals the opportunity to take the stage and present their business before a distinguished panel of judges, investors and national partners.

Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Mylikia and Germayle Franklin, Franklin’s Fruit Tea has grown from a local festival favorite to a regional beverage company, now sold in select Kroger stores within the Nashville area, JR’s Foodland, Compton’s Foodland, Mike’s Foodland, various convenience store locations, Dwight’s Mini Market at Middle State University, and inside the Tennessee Tribune Marketplace at Nashville International Airport.

The $50,000 award marks a major milestone for the Tennessee-based company as it accelerates production, expands cold-storage capacity, and prepares for broader retail distribution.

Franklin’s Fruit Tea crafts small-batch beverages using fresh brewed tea and fruit purees, offering flavors including Liquid Gold, Mango Peach, Strawberry, Peach Papaya Tea, Wild Berry Tea, Strawberry Peach Lemonade, Peach Papaya Lemonade, Wild Berry Lemonade, Classic Southern Lemonade, and a Tea-and-Lemonade Half and Half.

“Winning this award is a turning point for our business,” said Mylikia Franklin. “It affirms the work we have done and helps us continue scaling so we can bring joy to even more communities.”

Co-Founder Germayle Franklin first created the original fruit tea recipe while he was a student-athlete at MTSU. What began in a college apartment kitchen and at local festivals has grown into a Tennessee favorite known for flavor, tradition and community connection.

As demand continues to rise, Franklin’s Fruit Tea is now open to conversations with aligned investors and strategic partners who share its commitment to quality, community and long-term expansion across the Southeast and beyond.

More Local Business News 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/murfreesboro-business-buzz-bricks-minifigs-chick-fil-a-clay-oven-black-frog-arms-in-n-out-coffee-haus-autozone/

12/12/2025

Dec. 12 - Home Alone Trivia Night 🎄🏘️🎅🏻🎁🕊️

For some fun and free Christmas entertainment, Middle Ground Brewing Company, located at 2476 Old Fort Pkwy. in , is hosting Home Alone 1 & 2 themed team trivia on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Back by popular demand! Bring your best wet bandit knowledge and win it all! Trivia is completely to play, family friendly, and the top three winning teams receive gift cards.

More Community Events 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/december-2025-community-events/

12/11/2025

Black Frog Arms has opened in in the former location of OnTarget Shooting Range, at 915 N. Thompson Ln.

Black Frog Arms offers a variety of fi****ms and ammunition, accessories, personal defense products and more.

Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Visit blackfrogarms.com for more information.

More Local Business News 👇🏻

https://boropulse.com/2025/12/murfreesboro-business-buzz-bricks-minifigs-chick-fil-a-clay-oven-black-frog-arms-in-n-out-coffee-haus-autozone/

12/11/2025

The mid-state lost a legend Wednesday morning with the passing of beloved restaurateur Jim Demos. Known not only for his role in shaping Middle Tennessee’s dining traditions, but also for the warmth and accessibility he brought to every table, Jim’s life was a testament to hospitality, family, and community.

Jim bought the Middle territory for a relatively new concept spreading across the country known as Western Sizzlin’ Steak House. At one time, he owned seven locations scattered across Middle Tennessee, including a location here in . . . .

Jim and his best friend and business partner, Mike Thompson, created a local concept that began as “Tooter’s” in 1985. His son, Peter, jokingly recalls many visits he took as a young kid with his dad and Mike to various “Ho***rs” restaurants as they studied the concept.

Ho***rs even sued the duo, claiming the name “Tooters” was too close to their own. As a result, the new local favorite, Toot’s, was born.

Jim and Mike needed a managing partner, which they found in a young man from Memphis named Wade Hays. Wade moved his family to Murfreesboro, and the three became a dynamic team, building the Toot’s brand with Wade taking the lead. Jim and his family eventually sold Toot’s to Wade in 2006, and the two remained close friends until Jim’s death.

During that same period, Jim created another concept with a fellow restaurateur, founding the Murfreesboro location of Trappers. Many people today would remember Santa Fe restaurant, which is what Trappers eventually became once Jim sold his partnership.

Soon after that, Jim began working on his dream. This concept was one where he could use several of his family’s and friends’ recipes passed down through generations, including the now-famous Chicken and Rice Soup his mother made for him when he was sick.

In 1989, Demos’ Steak and Spaghetti House was born on Broad Street. Jim and his wife, Doris (affectionately known as Mrs. Demos), worked tirelessly to begin this new concept at an age when most people are thinking about retiring.

More 👇🏻

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