A strip mall that’s home to some of Hendersonville’s most popular local restaurants was the unexpected scene of a massive barbecue festival on Saturday.
The first The Meat Sweats Barbecue Open attracted thousands of residents to the 393 East Main Street shopping area where around 30 novice and advanced barbecuing teams competed for bragging rights and plaques.
The Meat Sweats owner Martin Tudon organized the event that was advertised largely by word of mouth and through Tudon’s social media sites. The event included about a dozen vendors, four live bands, an Easter egg hunt for kids, a beer garden hosted by Half Batch Brewing for adults, and thousands of residents eager to enjoy good barbecue and springlike temperatures.
Tudon, who opened his own barbecue restaurant in November of 2018 after working in the corporate world for 30 years, said he hopes to make the event an annual one. Event sponsors included HomeVantage mortgage, Salt MedSpa, Cornerstone Financial and Sunbelt Rentals in Gallatin.
“We wanted to have a community event and invite our customers and other vendors and restaurants,” he said. “I think it turned out really great. All of the vendors said they did really well.”
Vendors included A.J. Creations, Cake Joy, D’s B’s homemade lemonade, Boomerangs Australian Coffee, Giordano’s Italian Street Food, and Half Batch Brewing Company.
Half Batch owner Nate Newton said the festival drew a larger crowd than expected but he didn’t mind.
“We’re always glad to participate in local events and festivals,” said Newton.
The event highlighted a growing area on the city’s west side.
Newton, who opened the city’s first tap room in September of 2017, recently announced his business is expanding. Half Batch is building a new 10,000-sqaure-feet building next to the current one on the other side of Bluegrass Bar and Grill, he said.
The new building will have a larger tap room and expanded outdoor seating area. Newton said he hopes to have his new location open by next spring.
The Meat Sweats will move into the Half Batch location while a new Italian concept, Giordano’s will open into the barbecue restaurant, Tudon said.
In the meantime, Tudon hopes to continue drawing residents to the area with fun events like Saturday’s.
Live music is planned for Friday evenings during the summer, he said.
Tudon said he’s also planning a back-to-school event with Eat Hendersonville founder Mauricio Sanchez for some time in late summer.
“Our heart beat is the community,” said Tudon. “I want to help other small mom and pop, locally-owned businesses like ours. Even if they’re a competitor, it doesn’t matter. We just want to help other businesses do well.”
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