There are countless restaurants and bars owned by country music stars in Nashville. However, as of last week, there will be one less one to visit.
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E3 Chophouse, a steakhouse owned by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and former MLB first baseman Adam LaRoche, announced on its social media account that it is suddenly closing its doors.
However, it does sound like this will only be temporary. We have all the details below.
It's Just A Pause
The move comes a few days after the busiest weekend in the hospitality industry: Valentine's Day.
"We're temporarily pausing operations as we evaluate what Nashville needs next," the announcement reads. "Our team is assessing market opportunities and exploring potential rebrand and re-concept strategies for the future of this location."
E3 Chophouse got its start in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. That location was opened by LaRoche and his brothers in 2013. In addition to E3 Steakhouse, Ryan also owns Luke's 32 Bridge on Broadway. Aldean is the owner of Jason Aldean's Kitchen and Rooftop Bar down the street.
The Closing Was a Surprise
A post in the Nashville Hospitality Professionals Facebook group stated that the E3 Chophouse "scr**** over its staff" and the owners "didn't have the compassion" to let them know "to be prepared for this." It went on to name the owners, adding that LaRoche's brother Jeff was "most useless and dumb."
There is speculation that the closure may be related to rising property taxes in Music City. According to a FOX17 report last year, the owner of Layla's Honky Tonk on Broadway, Layla Vartanian, said the latest increase is the largest she's seen since opening her establishment nearly 30 years ago.
"I've never seen an increase of any kind of property tax or any kind of tax in such a short period of time," she said. "We're having an increase of 300-400% on these buildings down here, on our commercial buildings. Even on personal properties, residential properties, the increase is 300% and 400%."
However, it's important to note that the reason for the closure is unclear. It's a good thing Aldean and Bryan have their music careers to keep them afloat for now.
