Where Flexibility Fuels Growth: Nashville Custom Hats at Expansive 5th Ave
In a city known for music, style and individuality, Nashville Custom Hats is making custom merch personal and attainable. Backed by decades of experience JW and Jordan have evolved their business from a single showroom in a private office to a larger team suite inside Expansive Nashville that now doubles as both retail space and production hub. It’s the kind of growth story we love to see, and one that underscores how the right environment can accelerate business.
Creative Vision Fueled by Community: Starting with a Showroom
With a strong concept and a growing market, JW and Jordan set out to find the ideal environment to grow their business. They found it at Expansive 5th Avenue, securing a private office on the lounge floor. More than just a place to work, the space helped Nashville Custom Hats build credibility and establish a presence in downtown Nashville.
“We didn’t want a sterile space and that’s why we chose the community floor, it was best for our creative process and our clients were in a good creative space before they even entered our showroom… That showroom helped legitimize our footprint and helped us acquire some larger accounts. ” – JW
Nashville Custom Hats’ original showroom inside Expansive 5th Avenue
Photo courtesy of @nashvillecustomhats on Instagram
From Showroom to Suite: Growing Their Footprint
Over time, it became clear that they needed more space, not just for production, but for presence. Nashville Custom Hats expanded into a team suite, the largest on the first floor, now serving as both a showroom and a full retail storefront. Customers can walk in, explore products, and even begin the custom design process on the spot.
“Just today, a potential client walked in off the street,” JW says. “When he found out we do our own manufacturing, he wanted to start an order. That wouldn’t have happened without this space.”
Having a showroom and production space all under one roof allowed them to streamline their operation and take on more custom projects along with on-the-shelf retail products. Whether the goal is custom merchandise for Jellyroll’s bar Goodnight Nashville or a souvenir hat for a family member, Nashville Custom Hats has Music City’s heads covered.
Why Creative Entrepreneurs Thrive at Expansive
The creative spirit behind Nashville Custom Hats didn’t just need space, they needed the right space.
“We chose Expansive because it was the best location and the best value but most importantly the best vibes,” they said. “We needed a combination of all three of those things in order to start our showroom. We didn’t want a sterile space and that’s why we chose the community floor, it was best for our creative process and our clients were in a good creative space before they even entered our showroom.”
For entrepreneurs and small business owners considering a flexible office space or coworking environment, their advice is clear: “Identify what it is you need, so you know what to look for, and identify how you can best utilize your workspace. There’s something powerful about leaving your personal bubble and being surrounded by a creative community.” – JW
Being in a space that supports creativity and connection has been key to the brand’s growth.
“We’re really thankful for Expansive. It’s enabled us to show off what we do well.” – JW
Turning Space into Opportunity
Nashville Custom Hats continues to thrive from their new team suite at Expansive 5th Avenue. The larger footprint and walk in retail space has turned downtown foot traffic into customers and created a new revenue stream.
The ability to design a space that works for both client meetings and in-person sales has made a tangible impact; it’s the kind of flexibility and visibility that wouldn’t have been possible without their location at Expansive.
You can follow their latest work at @nashvillecustomhats or @TheNCHStore on Instagram and Facebook, or stop by their suite at 501 Union Street next time you’re in downtown Nashville.
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About Expansive
Expansive creates workspaces where people and companies thrive. The nation’s premier owner-operator of flexible solutions, with over 4 million square feet of workspace. Expansive helps individuals and enterprise clients find comfortable, convenient, and affordable office and event solutions for teams of all sizes. Visit one of our 40+ locations across 30+ U.S. cities and start thriving today!
