Franklin Shopping

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The Factory at Franklin is actually a complex with several artsy shops within. This is a true jewel, and a lovely shopping (as well as eating!) experience. Two of my great-great grandfathers and my grandpa worked in this factory when it was still a factory. The shops inside include handmade jewelry shops, clothing shops, toy shops, antique shops, and so much more. I also highly recommend the restaurant Stoveworks, which is in The Factory. It's also a great chance to meet 'n greet the local people, because we all shop there. Even if you're coming to just browse and grab some old-fashioned ice cream, this will be a shopping experience you'll never forget!

What to pay: Some of the shops can be rather pricey, but I've found several great deals there before.

this very nice shop carries all sorts of casual women's clothes in lots of different colors. it also has a great selection of sandals and casual shoes.

one especially good thing is that they carry up to sizes 16 and XL in most clothes, and up to size 18 in some.

they have some adorable clothes for little girls.

you need to be patient when it is time to try things on, because there are only two dressing rooms.

the shop is not very big, so leave your other packages in the car or you'll be bumping into the racks!

open mon-sat, 10 am to 5 pm; sun, 1-5 pm.

What to buy: they carry several brands; the one i love best is called "fresh produce." all sorts of colorful and really comfortable t-shirts, outdoor-type dresses, and top-and-skirt or top-and-pants combinations.

there is a "sale" room at the very back with good markdowns.

What to pay: prices are very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the items sold.

The Factory at Franklin (circa-1929) buildings originally housed the Dortch Stove Works, Magic Chef and later the Jamison Bedding Company, and is a member of the National Register of Historic Places.

The Factory has been reimagined as an upscale and unique shopping mall, housing art galleries and studios, restaurants, a live theatre venue, antique shops, craft stores, an artisan guitar store (which offers lessons), a pet rescue - too many unique and wonderful shops to list! A wonderful place to do your holiday shopping, and most of these stores are local and contain unique, regional items. No traditional mall shops here!

What to buy: Buy original works of art directly from the artist, or an artisan guitar. Handmade candles, or custom jewelry. Listen to music (free in the mall) while eating a healthy meal or snack. And on your way home, rescue a puppy or kitten at Happy Tales - all in a good day!

What to pay: Depends on the item - prices are not outrageously expensive. More than you would probably spend at Wal-Mart, but these are not mass-produced, hyper-consumable items.

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A gorgeous little historical district within the City of Franklin. Along with shopping for antiques and local crafts, you can also experience some great-tasting down home cooking and a great picture of the most beautiful parts of Williamson County. Also look for the year-round concerts and events.

Franklin's newest tour and one of the tastiest, too. The Cocoa Tree welcomes groups for a chocolate tasting tour. Learn the history of chocolate and the unique chocolate tasting methods that will give you a new appreciation for the different origins of cacao and types of chocolates. You may also have a chance to watch the truffle makers at work dipping their uniquely flavored treats. Your group will leave with a new appreciation for chocolate and a tasty truffle to go! Contact the CVB to make arrangements
info@visitwilliamson.com

What to buy: The Cocoa Tree, a chocolate store. You can watch it all being made infront of you!

What to pay: 8.00 to set up a tour or go inside to just buy!!

during the last full weekend in april each year, franklin holds the main street festival. this is an outdoor event with arts and crafts booths from more than 100 vendors. there is no admission charge.

the items offered are "juried," which means they have been screened to be high-quality and must be hand-crafted.

there is live music at several locations; sometimes there are exhibitions from the local dance schools. multiple food booths offer everything imaginable.

there is usually a petting zoo with baby sheep, goats, ducks, bunnies; in some years, a donkey, too! there are face-painting booths and picture-drawing booths for kids. there are also those air-filled things that little kids bounce on.

there is a rock-climbing wall where kids (older than 10, i think) scale to the top, all the while protected by bungee-cord tethers.

usually the hours for the booths/craftspeople are 10 am to 5 pm on saturday, noon to 5 pm on sunday.

on saturday night from about 7 pm to 10 pm, there are "dancing in the street" festivities with live music.

What to buy: you can find lots of jewelry, a fair amount of stained glass, pottery, wood-carved bowls and toys, paintings and photographs, leather belts and purses, and other things i can't remember but that will be pretty and/or useful in your house or apartment.

there are many types of clothes for children and some clothes for adults.

What to pay: the prices for the arts and crafts items are reasonable, especially considering their quality. some are fairly expensive, though (this means $30-$100 to me).

this is a resale shop, but it has clothes that are dressier and more "upscale" than the clothes usually found at the goodwill and the salvation army resale stores.

it has just about everything -- blouses, skirts, daytime dresses, jeans, slacks, sweaters, evening gowns, coats, purses, and probably some other things that i've forgotten.

they are open 9:30-5 on weekdays and saturdays.

What to buy: one really nice thing about this shop is that they have clothes for women who are large, extra-large, and size 20 and above. it is usually hard to find larger clothes in resale shops.

of course, there are also LOTS of things for smaller women!

What to pay: the prices are VERY reasonable; i got a skirt, a blouse, a light jacket, a dress, and a purse for $35 altogether during a sale. but even when things are not on sale, they are very reasonable in price. some of these clothes are a lot nicer than the clothes i already have in my closet!