What better place for a place with a heart in its name than the historic Kissing House?
Plans are before the Spring Hill planning commission for an I Love Juice Bar, the Fresh Hospitality franchise, to be built in part of a nearly 150-year old house.
William Benedict, who bought the 412 McLemore Avenue house last year, is working with Fresh Hospitality to potentially open one of its juice bar locations there as a franchise.
The property is zoned B-4, Central Business District, and contains approximately .53 acres. Plans show a 2,060 square foot property with a 1,000 square foot store.
The applicant proposed to the planning commission that it operate in the newer addition portion of the house with a customer service area of approximately 1,000 square feet and approximately 14 gravel parking spaces and a gravel one-way drive aisle. A deck will be constructed west of the structure. The business will in a separate expansion part of the actual historical house, so as to preserve and protect the integrity of the house.
The house has always been residential, but Benedict feels that adding a commercial element to it can help preserve and protect the integrity of the historical house.
Benedict, a long-time Spring Hill resident, confirmed that it would be an I Love Juice Bar franchise, and said the planning process is coming along nicely. The plan gained Historic Commission approval earlier this year. The planing staff report recommended that planners defer a vote on approval while some small issues are worked out such as trash enclosure and landscaping plans. They will vote on Monday night.
Benedict is hoping for a contingent approval Monday night.
Known as the Ritter Morton House, or the Kissing House, it was built in 1870 by Peter and Elizabeth Ritter. The Carpenter-Gothic style home was later sold to Sara Odil. Odil was betrothed to an older gentleman, but later found out he had spurned her and married someone else.
So, after a lawsuit brought by Odil and her family, she bought the home.
Nashville-based Fresh Hospitality is also opening a Martin’s BBQ on a 1.5 acre site at 4959 Main Street, across from Walmart.
