At the end of 2020, local commercial real estate investor and developer Tyler Cauble announced plans to redevelop a former East Nashville car wash property into a food-and-beverage business to open in mid-2021. In normal times, the details Cauble offered would have been noteworthy. But with COVID-19 concerns far from settled, the announcement assumed a greater significance than otherwise.

To be called The Wash, the business will offer to-go-only walk-up spaces in the bays of the car wash structure at 1101 McKennie Ave. and fronting Gallatin Avenue. The business is being pitched as providing alternative options to chefs and restaurant owners who may not want to (or be able to) invest heavily in a permanent, conventional space. As such, Cauble says the concept operators can incubate their businesses via, if they choose, short-term leases.