Founded by Chris and Marissa Barrett, a husband-and-wife duo, Nashville Blanket Project was designed with the intent to help better our community. The pair, who are both natives of Franklin, felt inspired and knew they wanted to help their neighbors in any way they could, so they embarked on a very fulfilling, life-changing journey.
Prior to the formation of Nashville Blanket Project, Marissa was working as a school counselor and had a craft-based social enterprise called Novel Creature. In winter of 2017, she saw that the organization People Loving Nashville had a need for blankets for the people they served. Marissa and Chris wanted to be able to meet that need in an ongoing and sustainable way. So, they worked to bring the Nashville Blanket Project to life. In June 2018, they launched the business at the 12 South Farmers Market.
Nashville Blanket Project’s goal has always been to provide a small token of comfort to our Nashville neighbors in need - whether someone is experiencing homelessness, have become victims of a natural disaster, or just need an extra hand. They have partnered with local nonprofit organizations who specialize in meeting the needs of those neighbors. Since their launch in 2018, with the amazing support of the community, they’ve been able to donate over ten-thousand blankets to neighbors in need.
“We started with Mexican blankets. They are a traditional style; made in Mexico with 100% reclaimed fibers… They’re awesome, but they’re not our designs. So, in 2021, [we began creating] our own unique designs,” Marissa says.
As Tennessee natives, Chris and Marissa wanted to give an ode to the “southern, country, southwestern” style that Nashville embodies. Therefore, they created blankets that feature cowboy boots, horses, and quilt and plaid designs. Chris works in software and is a designer, resulting in the duo being very collaborative when it comes to the creative process.
“He has the skills to make my ideas come to life,” Marissa shares. “Sometimes he comes up with an idea, sometimes I will. We really work together on that.”
Their blankets, which are made in North Carolina, are warm, durable, and perfect for camping, bonfires, pets, and more. The best part is, they were created to not only give people a chic, cozy blanket to keep in their home, but to provide a sense of warmth and comfort to someone in need. When you purchase a blanket, one is also given to a neighbor in need right here in Nashville.
Gifting and co-branding is another big aspect of Nashville Blanket Project; Those looking for brand gifts can add their logo to the hand-stitched label to give a personalized touch. In addition, they are also now offering custom blankets!
“A lot of things have grown beyond what we could have even dreamed, because we just didn’t know some of it was possible,” Marissa shares.
In addition to blankets, they also offer trucker hats, candles, and apparel – all things that help represent their tagline, “Keep Nashville Cozy.”
“With Chris and I being from this area and seeing the way it’s grown… there’s so much good about that, but there’s also the chance that Nashville could lose some of its charm,” Marissa says. “There’s so much history here and we just want to make sure the people pushed to the fringes are welcome and that Nashville doesn’t lose its soul… that’s really what ‘Keep Nashville Cozy’ means.”
Their blankets can be found at places such as The Getalong in East Nashville, the Richland Park Farmers Market, ACME Feed and Seed on Broadway, and The Nashville Zoo, in addition to their website and different events held around town.
“It’s been really moving,” Marissa shares on the positive impact Nashville Blanket Project has made and continues to make in the community. “It was a project that we came up with as a way to get involved in the community and do some good and have a creative outlet, but it became more owned by the community than us.”
Nashville Blanket Project has also teamed up with some fantastic Nashville-based nonprofit organizations – People Loving Nashville, Community Resource Center, and Open Table Nashville - to help distribute blankets to those in need. For more information, visit nashvilleblanketproject.com or follow them on socials @nashvilleblanketproject.
Photos taken at a Legacy Hospitality TN property. @legacyhospitalitytn
"There’s so much history here...and we want to make sure Nashville doesn’t lose its soul. That’s really what ‘Keep Nashville Cozy’ means.”
“It was a project that we came up with as a way to get involved in the community...but it became more owned by the community than us.”