I love discovering places that are more than they appear. The little out-of-the-way gems that turn out to be so much more than a dot on the map. The spots where people come together to eat, create, and share—because that’s where the real magic happens.
So imagine my delight when I rolled into Franklin, TN, on a road trip for a shoot and ended up in a hardware store that also happens to be a coffee shop, a restaurant, a live music venue, and… wait for it… a private food club.
Yeah. A hardware store with a membership-based local food pantry. This place is straight out of some post-apocalyptic utopia where people are actually thriving instead of hoarding canned beans and toilet paper. It’s called the Jolton Country Club, and trust me—this isn’t your grandpa’s stuffy golf-and-gin-rummy kind of establishment.
Chris, the owner of this mad scientist’s dream of a business, took us on a tour, and let me tell you—it was freaking awesome.
Welcome to the Jolton Country Club: The Most Exclusive Not-Exclusive Club Ever
Right next to a bin of nails and screws, past the coffee-slinging baristas and the scent of sawdust, is a locked door.
Chris stops, grins, and does his best Mission Impossible impression. "I was gonna give you the code, but I got the fingerprint scanner.” The door clicks open.
And behind it? A food lover’s wonderland.
The Jolton Country Club is a 501(c)(7) membership-based food pantry, where locals can buy, sell, trade, and stock up on some of the most nutrient-dense, locally grown, and lovingly homemade foods you can get your hands on.
Herbs, heirloom seeds, pastured meats, fresh dairy, fermented goods, homemade tinctures—this place is like a mashup of a farmer’s market, a health food co-op, and your favorite grandma’s pantry.
But the kicker? It’s all done by members, for members.
Why a Locked Door? And Why is This Genius?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Because this pantry is technically a private club, it doesn’t have to jump through the endless bureaucratic flaming hoops of commercial food sales.
Translation?
👉 No industrial-scale nonsense. No government red tape. Just real food, made by real people, available to those who actually want it.
To get in, you’ve gotta be a member. Membership costs $36 per year. That’s it. No hidden fees. No “exclusive tiers.” Just a bunch of people who care about food, health, and community.
And get this—if you can’t afford the $36, they’ll help you out. Because this isn’t some elitist club. It’s a place where people take care of each other.
What’s Inside?
It’s hard to describe everything packed into this little space, but let me hit some highlights:
Locally grown produce & herbs – Backyard homesteaders and local farmers provide everything from fresh greens to organic blackberries.
Fermented goodness – Homemade sauerkraut, kombucha, water kefir, and fermented carrot ginger (which, I now know, is amazing).
Homestead-made remedies – Earache oil, comfrey salve, homemade toothpaste (yes, toothpaste), and tinctures for everything from sleep to immunity.
Bulk food buys – Members can order in bulk from Azure Standard, one of the biggest organic food distributors in the country. When the big truck arrives, club members help unload, subdivide orders, and store them for pickup. No fighting traffic to get to Whole Foods.
Raw dairy, pastured meats, and homemade cheeses – This isn’t grocery-store “grass-fed” nonsense. This is the real deal.
And the best part? It’s all honor system checkout. You grab what you need, scan a QR code, and Venmo the payment.
Who does that anymore?
People who actually trust each other. That’s who.
Why This Needs to Exist Everywhere
This place isn’t just about food. It’s about people taking back control of what they eat, how they buy it, and where it comes from.
Instead of being reliant on corporate food chains, these folks are building a sustainable, local, community-driven alternative—one that’s accessible, legal, and built on shared values.
Chris summed it up perfectly:
“We really feel like this should be in every community in the U.S.”
And she’s right. Imagine a world where every town had one of these. Where instead of food deserts, we had food clubs run by the people who actually live there. Where instead of corporate-driven supply chains, we had neighbors growing, making, and sharing real food with each other.
This is the future we need.
Final Thoughts: Can I Move In?
I came to Franklin for a shoot. I left with a head full of ideas, a belly full of homemade sauerkraut, and a deep appreciation for what’s possible when a community actually gives a damn.
A hardware store, a coffee shop, a live music venue, and a secret food club all in one place? That’s my kind of utopia.
If you’re ever in the area, find this place. Shake Chris’s hand. Buy some homemade toothpaste. Maybe even join the club.
Because places like this?
They’re rare, awesome and 100% worth visiting!
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