A reopening story...

Linda Melton was one of the first two people offered a job when a customer of almost three decades decided to save the Elliston Place Soda Shop, said Margaret Littman in the Nashville Scene. At Nashville’s longestoperating restaurant, “Miss Linda” is more than a server. Thanks to family recipes, she has also been “the face behind the chess pies, the meringue pies (the taller the better), and banana pudding.” She was back at work last week when a meticulous recreation of the 82-year-old soda shop, all red tiles and tableside jukeboxes, opened next door to its old location. Owner Tony Giarratana had listened when Melton fought menu changes and the introduction of “uppity, fancy words” to the descriptions. In order to keep its place in locals’ hearts, the restaurant even still offers a “meatand-three” for just $9.99.