Hidden Gems: Meet Rachel Thomas of Old Hickory Social and Marketplace

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Thomas.

Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2022, Rachel Thomas decided to purchase a building space in Old Hickory to serve as the new location for her company, RT Medical, LLC; a very successful Clinical Respiratory Homecare company that she started in 2006. Initially, her hope in purchasing the new building was to not only have a new location for RT Medical, but to find another medical tenant who could lease the extra available space directly beside it. Fast forward to December 2023, Rachel continued her search for potential tenants to no avail and she knew something had to be done to fill the available space. That’s when the idea for Old Hickory Social & Marketplace was born.
This exciting decision quickly set Rachel on the unexpected path to opening an upscale, luxury merchant mall. It’s even more exciting to note how quickly the new marketplace came together. Old Hickory Social launched its website on New Years Eve and began constructing the space on January 5th. And in March 2024, they officially opened its doors. From the time Old Hickory Social formed as an idea to the time of its soft-opening was exactly 60 days!
Rachel has worked diligently to propel Old Hickory Social & Marketplace into a widely popular merchant mall that serves as the go-to spot not only for a unique shopping experience, but for the many community events the store proudly hosts as well. Old Hickory Social is where shoppers can come take part in weekly activities like block parties, political meet and greets, fashion show kick-off parties, chamber of commerce events, classic car shows, and art classes, just to name a few. Giving back to the community is also something that Rachel is passionate about. What began as an idea, was quickly put into motion and became something where people come together to experience fun, shopping and most importantly, community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. We have have many retail challenges like all other retail stores

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Old Hickory Social and Marketplace?
In 2022, Rachel Thomas decided to purchase a building space in Old Hickory to serve as the new location for her company, RT Medical, LLC; a very successful Clinical Respiratory Homecare company that she started in 2006. Initially, her hope in purchasing the new building was to not only have a new location for RT Medical, but to find another medical tenant who could lease the extra available space directly beside it. Fast forward to December 2023, Rachel continued her search for potential tenants to no avail and she knew something had to be done to fill the available space. That’s when the idea for Old Hickory Social & Marketplace was born.
This exciting decision quickly set Rachel on the unexpected path to opening an upscale, luxury merchant mall. It’s even more exciting to note how quickly the new marketplace came together. Old Hickory Social launched its website on New Years Eve and began constructing the space on January 5th. And in March 2024, they officially opened its doors. From the time Old Hickory Social formed as an idea to the time of its soft-opening was exactly 60 days!
Rachel has worked diligently to propel Old Hickory Social & Marketplace into a widely popular merchant mall that serves as the go-to spot not only for a unique shopping experience, but for the many community events the store proudly hosts as well. Old Hickory Social is where shoppers can come take part in weekly activities like block parties, political meet and greets, fashion show kick-off parties, chamber of commerce events, classic car shows, and art classes, just to name a few. Giving back to the community is also something that Rachel is passionate about. What began as an idea, was quickly put into motion and became something where people come together to experience fun, shopping and most importantly, community.

How do you think about happiness?
Happy customers and happy vendors at Old Hickory Social and Marketplace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oldhickorysocial.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555191474511
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-thomas-a71bab4a/