Good morning, Cookeville!
Hope everyone stayed safe after last night’s storms.
Big week around town. In-N-Out is officially confirmed, Burgess Falls is roaring after all the rain, and the biggest yard sale of the year hits the fairgrounds this Saturday.
In today’s Cardinal:
🍔 In-N-Out confirmed
🌊 Burgess Falls is raging right now
🛍️ Cookeville’s biggest yard sale this weekend
Let’s get into it.
📆 This Week
🎉 Something's Happening and You Should Go
There's a local event this week that's already buzzing. Good turnout expected. Real humans. In person. Wild, right?
👉 Details + RSVP
facebook.com/events/1811086292845174
🎶 Your Week Has Plans Now
Mon. March 16 | 6:30 PM
Sugar Lime Blue plays live at Plenty Downtown Bookshop. Music + books. Best Monday possible.
Wed. March 18 | 6:30 PM
Greater Vision at Washington Ave Baptist Church.
Thu. March 19 | 8 PM
Natasha Evans live at 37 Cedar. Good food. Good music. Good excuse.
🗓️ 3 Things This Weekend
🏥 RAM Free Clinic
Sat. March 21 | 6 AM
Cookeville High School
Free doctor, dental, and vision care. No insurance required. Lines form early. Pass it on.
🛍️ Cookeville's Biggest Yard Sale
Sat. March 21 | 9 AM
Putnam County Fairgrounds
One person's junk is your new favorite thing. Go early.
🛒 Spring Market
Sat. March 21 | 10 AM
Fourth Ave Downtown
Local vendors, fresh air, and proof that spring is finally here.
☕ Cookeville Tea
🌊 Burgess Falls Is Going Off Right Now
All that rain? The falls are absolutely ripping right now.
Go this week before the weekend crowds show up.
Heads up — construction is underway for a new visitor center, gift shop, and aviary. The upper parking lot is closed, so use the lower lot.
Overflow parking is available at Whispering Falls RV Park and Chestnut Oak Farm.
Nature is showing out.
🍜 Last Call: Fil-Thai Is Closing
The Filipino-Thai spot on West Broad is shutting down.
Building issues — not the food.
If you've never tried their skewers or noodles, go this week. It's your last chance.
Support your local spots while they're still here.
⚡ Quick Hits
• In-N-Out officially approved for The Willows development on South Willow Avenue
• Nothing Bundt Cakes is now open on West Jackson Street
• Tucker Stadium renovation is about halfway complete ahead of the fall season
• Burgess Falls water levels are some of the strongest we've seen in months
❤️ One Good Thing
A 78-year-old man named Richard started delivering DoorDash after his wife lost her job and they couldn't cover their bills.
A customer in Manchester noticed him struggling on her Ring camera, tracked him down, and started a GoFundMe.
More than $750,000 has now been raised.
Richard said it's “making life livable again.”
Sometimes people are just good.
🍽️ Local Pick of the Week
Taverna On The Green
Greek food. Family owned. Garden patio.
Flaming cheese.
Yes. Flaming cheese.
📍 1500 Country Club Rd
Tue–Sat | Closed Mondays
🎂 New in Town
Nothing Bundt Cakes
You've eaten their cake at other people's parties.
Now you can just… go get one.
Red Velvet. Confetti. Seasonal flavors. Cream cheese frosting.
📍 377 W Jackson St
🍔 Development Watch
In-N-Out Is Confirmed
Not a rumor anymore.
The city officially approved In-N-Out Burger for 1120 South Willow Avenue last week.
Target. Home Depot. In-N-Out.
All opening this fall at The Willows near I-40.
Cookeville is not playing around.
👀 Cookeville Spotted
Things people noticed around town this week.
👀 Someone fishing in the Dogwood Park fountain. The bite was slow.
👀 A Cybertruck parked outside Soul Craft Coffee.
👀 Someone hauling a couch down Willow Avenue with absolutely zero straps.
See something weird, funny, or very Cookeville?
Reply and send it in — the best ones make next week’s issue.
🧠 Cookeville Fact
Cookeville sits almost exactly halfway between Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.
That location helped it quietly become one of the fastest-growing small cities in Tennessee.
Not bad for a place that started as a railroad stop.
🦅 Tech Corner
🏟️ Tucker Stadium Is Almost Ready
Two years. Two seasons in temporary stands.
The wait is almost over.
The new Tucker Stadium Westside opens this fall.
Suites, club seating, a student section, three tiers, and a spirit shop.
Construction is about 50–60% complete, and suite waiting lists are already open.
Fall Saturdays in Cookeville just got a whole lot better.
📸 Photo of the Week
Burgess Falls absolutely roaring after this week’s rain.
If you go, bring a camera — the water levels are wild right now.
📣 Coming Up
🌷 Upper Cumberland Tulip Festival
Sat. March 28 | 9 AM
3520 Gainesboro Grade
Spring is officially here.
📚 Walter Isaacson at Tennessee Tech
Mon. March 30 | 6 PM
The author of the Steve Jobs biography is coming to Cookeville.
Dinner included. Signed book included.
Open to the public at the Putnam County Convention Center.
Not bad for a Monday night.
💬 Send Us Something
New business opening?
Cool event?
Weird local story?
Reply to this email.
The Cardinal runs on local tips.
Don't keep the tea to yourself. 🐦
Forwarded this email?
Join Cookeville locals getting the weekly tea every Monday morning.