If you were to Google “best lunch in Nashville,” The Café at Thistle Farms would likely top the search results. And there’s good reason for this – the food is outstanding. But unless you were to investigate further you would have no idea that, in addition to being a gourmet food destination, it’s a major force for good within the community. Thistle Farms is a sanctuary, both physically and spiritually, for women to overcome and heal from systems of exploitation. To that end, there are a variety of social enterprises in connection with Thistle Farms, so one might wonder, what makes the café special? Dana Wronski, the Director of the Café and Hospitality, has a few ideas.
Wronski has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry and was about to open her 20th career restaurant when she was tapped to join Thistle Farms. When asked about the mission and values of the café, she explains that it was designed to be a place for the women in the Thistle Farms program to receive on-the-job training and community. “Today, 10 years later, the café is thriving and bustling. 85% of the employees in the café are in recovery, either having been in our program or another in Nashville.” And facilitating recovery for these women is not something that Thistle Farms just pays lip service to. “We open late on Mondays so we can hold a weekly ‘Circle’ to give the café team a time of reflection and support,” Wronski shares.
This compassion not only helps to facilitate the healing process, but it also manifests itself in the overall atmosphere of the café. Wronski explains, “The women of Thistle Farms understand hospitality at its very core because at one point in time, all their lives, someone showed them grace. Maybe it was an individual or a group, but someone’s hospitality rescued them.” Because of this, the café has an air of warmth and openness that is palpable. “This deep level of hospitality is unlike anything I have seen in my career. You can literally feel it when you walk in. This beautiful grace and hospitality is shared not only with each and every guest but also with each other.”
It’s not an overstatement to say that the café has changed the lives of the women of Thistle Farms for the better, and its impact extends far beyond the survivors. On the impact the café has made in the community, Wronski says, “When we explain why we are here and a bit about our history, inevitably there are tears and a guest offering a personal story of addiction, either personally or with a loved one. Instantly, a deep connection is made, and the experience is elevated beyond imagination. For other regular guests, the café serves as an oasis of healing. A place to recharge batteries and glean some of the spirit that is in this place while sipping tea or a latte. They are comforted by our food and bring friends to share in the experience. The café is an entry point for people to smell, touch, feel, hear, taste, and experience our very beautiful and unique community first-hand.” The Café at Thistle Farms is a standout for a variety of reasons. And though the food is spectacular, it’s the least exceptional thing about it.
The café is an entry point for people to smell, touch, feel, hear, taste, and experience our very beautiful and unique community first-hand.