Local Gem: The Golden Slipper in Nashville, Tennessee

Local Gem is RetailMeNot’s new editorial series celebrating standout indie shops across the United States. Discover hidden treasures near you, travel to one, or shop their one-of-a-kind finds online.

Nashville is a town like no other. A few decades back, it was a sleepy music town with all the action crammed onto one street—Broadway—where honky-tonks, live bands, and mechanical bulls ruled the night. Fast-forward to today, and it’s a buzzing “big, small town” made up of neighborhoods that feel like their own little cities. Unlike bigger, more buttoned-up metros like Chicago, Nashville nails that sweet spot between old charm and new energy.

You won’t find chain stores on every corner here. Instead, the city’s packed with local haunts, indie boutiques, and mom-and-pop gems that make the daily grind feel a little more like a slow dance. Case in point: The Golden Slipper, a carefully curated home goods shop tucked away in the historic Germantown neighborhood. It’s one of those places that feels like a secret—until you realize everyone’s in on it.

The Golden Slipper is located at 314 Madison Street, Nashville, TN 37208

The Story Behind The Golden Slipper 

Owner Abbey Moore opened The Golden Slipper in 2020, right in the thick of the pandemic. For Abbey, it was the realization of a lifelong dream. A born creative, she’s always been drawn to making—whether it was crafting jewelry, working in a salon, or pouring her own candles. That spirit of artistry and innovation runs deep in her family, with her grandmother being the original inspiration behind the store’s name.

“I’ve always just wanted to have a place where people could come find something special that makes them or someone else happy,” she says. “And I wanted to curate it with unique and magical things. You always have that place you remember that ingrained a spot in your brain where you’re like, ‘that was the most magical shop I’ve ever been in and I’ve never forgotten it’. And I was like, ‘I want to have that.’”

Years before she opened their flagship store, she was running a small business where she made everything by hand out of a workshop space close to where the store is located now. From there she started making candles from her own house which eventually led to where the shop is today. The store started with just candles, something that is still a huge selling point for them today. 

“We really pride ourselves on our candles because we make them all and have like eight different collections,” Abbey says. “My favorite candle right now and that has been for a while is a collection based on my grandma’s road trips she took in the 1950s. The candle name is her actual writing from the back of the photos because she always documented what she was doing. On the back of her photo she wrote ‘flat tire in Kentucky’ and she was changing a flat tire and she’s in her bikini on the side of the road changing a tire.” 

Her grandmother’s presence is woven throughout the shop, not just in the pictures on the candles, but in the very soul of the space. Even if you never met her, you can feel her essence in the thoughtfully curated, handpicked items, and the perfumery/candle bar “The Alice,” named in her honor. And, of course, the store’s name, “The Golden Slipper,” is inspired by the shoes her grandmother wore as a musician—each detail a tribute to the woman who inspired it all.

“Before I was born my grandma and my grandfather owned a jazz bar and she performed on stage every night…her signature trademark was her golden shoes that she wore to perform in,” Abbey recalled. 

What You’ll Find Inside 

It’s safe to say Abbey has created the space of her dreams—one that’s so unique, it’s instantly memorable. The moment you step inside, your brain goes into overdrive (in the best way possible). Everywhere you look, there’s something one-of-a-kind, giving you that irresistible “I want to buy everything” feeling. 

To the left, you’ll find handmade candles, including those featuring pictures of her grandmother, Alice. Keep walking, and you’ll discover everything from quirky cards and bath products (some crafted by Abbey herself) to accessories for your pets—even cat berets. It’s the kind of place where every corner offers a delightful surprise. 

As you wander through the store, you’ll keep discovering more one-of-a-kind treasures, each clearly handpicked for their undeniable cool factor. Then, you’ll be drawn to the candle bar and perfumery, where the air is filled with intoxicating scents. With funky candle holders, moody green walls, and burnt orange velvet curtains, it feels like you’ve stepped straight into an old Hollywood film set—a timeless, cinematic vibe that makes the whole experience feel even more magical.

If you ever find yourself in Music City, take a stroll through Germantown and step inside The Golden Slipper. The shop captures that rare, childlike wonder we all crave—where every corner reveals something new, and getting lost in the magic feels like exactly where you’re meant to be.

A Peek Into The Golden Slipper Community 

While Nashville boasts plenty of cool neighborhoods, Germantown is hands down my favorite. Unlike the more recently developed areas of downtown, Germantown retains its charm with tree-lined streets, cozy houses, and local gems where Abbey gets some of her items from. 

Right next to The Golden Slipper is one of my go-to spots in the city—Little Hats. This Italian haven serves up everything from spicy Italian deli sandwiches to handmade pastas that are so good, they’ll have your mouth watering before you even take a bite. There are also noteworthy coffee shops like Barista Parlor which was started in Nashville in 2012. 

How to Shop The Golden Slipper If You Don’t Live in Nashville 

If you’re not local, no worries—Abbey brings her curated magic online, so you can shop the store’s unique finds from anywhere. You can shop the company’s website or find all of their top items on their Instagram page. While you won’t get the full feel of the store itself, you’ll get a little piece of magic straight to your door. Happy shopping!

You can grab some of the special items like the handmade Flat Tire in Kentucky candle for $32 or $46…

Cutesy wall art perfect for your bar cart for $48

Body cream from a local Germantown nail salon for $30

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