A revival at Donelson Plaza and plans for further development nearby are bringing a new chapter to a Nashville shopping center with roots stretching back more than six decades.
The plaza opened in 1961, with Nashville-based department store Castner Knott serving as its anchor. Woolworth’s also operated there, alongside several local retailers. That combination brought a hometown department store, a national chain and independent businesses into the same shopping destination.
The center’s history gives the changes a significance beyond the redevelopment of a retail property. For longtime residents, Donelson Plaza remains a link to an earlier period of neighborhood commerce. Its next chapter is now taking shape alongside plans for additional development in the surrounding Donelson neighborhood.