Turnip Truck set to open West Nashville store

Nashville Business Journal

By Marq Burnett  Mar 26, 2020, 7:33am EDT

With the increased need for groceries and other household items due to COVID-19, the Turnip Truck is proceeding with plans to open its third location.

Turnip Truck owner and founder John Dyke announced the full-service natural grocery store will open at 10 a.m Friday at 5001 Charlotte Ave.

“Two weeks ago, much of the equipment for this store was destroyed by the tornado,” Dyke said in a news release. “With COVID-19 striking on the heels of that, we knew we had to press forward to help feed our neighbors. I’m thrilled to say that – against all odds – we are opening a day earlier than we had originally planned. It won’t be as polished as we had hoped, but it will be open.”

The 15,000-square-foot store will offer produce, groceries, a butcher, bulk foods, beer and wine, supplements, health and beauty items, and a filtered water station, according to a news release. The produce is sourced within 200 miles. In a typical season, 90% or more of Turnip Truck’s produce is organic, but the release notes that this may be affected by “the current situation.” The store also plans to have a hot bar, salad bar, 100% organic juice bar and deli. However, due to coronavirus, the salad and hot bars are currently closed at all Turnip Truck locations.

“This would not have been possible without the herculean efforts of our team and the support of the city of Nashville,” Dyke said in the release. “We are thrilled to have more than 90 local companies represented in our inventory. In addition, we are creating new jobs here for 70 employees.”

In an effort to meet increased demand for groceries throughout the city, Dyke said he’s hired 30 new employees to ensure shelves remain stocked at stores.

Rooftop solar panels will provide 15% of the store’s energy. The store will have recycling stations, and it also won’t use plastic grocery bags, a company policy since 2014.

Dyke, an East Tennessee native, opened the original Turnip Truck Natural Market on Woodland Street in East Nashville in 2001. He later opened a location in the Gulch.

“With the current threat to our health, now’s the time to focus on nutrition and building up our immunity,” Dyke said. “Our team has always been a health partner to our customers, and we are ready and able to help folks find the right products and supplements for their individual need