New specialty market opening Oct. 15 to feature student, alumni and local entrepreneur brands in consumer-packaged goods
Belmont University’s Cone Center for Entrepreneurship is innovating upon traditional hands-on learning with the opening of Bruin Bodega — a vibrant, student-run specialty market featuring products created by Belmont alumni, students and faculty slated to open this fall.
Located on Belmont Boulevard, Bruin Bodega is replacing the former student-run store Where the Well Things Are. The new concept will serve as a retail hub for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) while providing a real-time learning laboratory for student entrepreneurs.
The student-run stores were never meant to be static businesses. “Every four years we have a new student body with fresh ideas and dreams for how they want these businesses to look,” said Elizabeth Gortmaker, Cone Center executive director. “Bruin Bodega is a colorful, fun and punchy market that truly reflects our Bruin community while preparing students for real-world success.”
CPG Incubator Program – Spring 2026
At the heart of Bruin Bodega is a new CPG Incubator Program for student entrepreneurs. Co-founder of NoBaked Cookie Dough and Belmont Entrepreneur-in-Residence Megan Feeman will lead students through the program which launches next spring.
As an alumna entrepreneur, Feeman experienced the benefits of Belmont’s support firsthand when starting NoBaked Cookie Dough with her husband. “Belmont has supported NoBaked since the very start,” she said. “They were actually the first ones to ever invite us to do a pop-up shop, which eventually turned into our storefronts that we still run today.”
From refining packaging to developing pricing strategies and building brands, the CGP Incubator Program will guide students through every stage of bringing a product to market. For many of the students involved, this immersive learning experience will be the first in-store retail opportunity for their products.
“Getting started in the CPG space is difficult — there's a huge learning curve,” Feeman explained. “This program takes away the struggle of having to just figure it out. Not only that, but it provides students with a built-in retailer to sell and test their product.”
What’s on the Shelves
Among its stock, Bruin Bodega will sell specialty products from alumni-founded brands like NoBaked Cookie Dough, Prickly Pear Coffee, Chechi's Chai, Biscuit Love (jams and granola), Vitamin Honey and more.
The Bodega will also partner with Mesa Komal, a commercial kitchen for burgeoning entrepreneurs in Nashville. Patrons can purchase grab-and-go items from Nativo (located next door) and packaged goods from local brands like Hummus Chick, Daddy Bob’s Pimiento Cheese and Catapano Pasta.
The store will also connect with Nashville nonprofit Corner to Corner to feature local brands from entrepreneurs who have graduated from The Academy — an exclusive small business development program offered through the nonprofit.
“Bruin Bodega is another way Belmont is connecting their students to what's happening outside of the campus, right there on Belmont Boulevard,” said Corner to Corner Executive Director and Belmont alumna Shana Berkeley. “The work Belmont, Mesa Komal and Corner to Corner are doing together to create a larger entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nashville will be beneficial all around — for Belmont students and the broader community.”
Innovative Entrepreneurial Support
Bruin Bodega signals the next wave of innovative strategies to not only support the University’s robust entrepreneurial community, but also Nashville’s local entrepreneurs.
“Belmont has a ton of initiatives to get alumni entrepreneurs involved, like the Top 100 Awards,” Feeman added. “This incubator program will be a steppingstone into students receiving that same support — from launching their product to stocking it in the Bodega to being involved in the alumni programs.”
An ingrained component of the intentionally designed CPG Incubator Program is exposure to working entrepreneurs. Students will gain firsthand insight by observing and engaging with alumni-owned businesses and established brands in the CPG space whose products stock the Bodega shelves.
“This will help students have a clear understanding of the industry and hopefully succeed quicker and easier,” said Feeman.
The exposure to other local businesses will show students what it means to be part of Nashville rather than just a Belmont student.
Bruin Bodega Ribbon Cutting — Oct. 15
A ribbon cutting ceremony will mark the official opening of Bruin Bodega, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. at 2006 Belmont Blvd.
The opening will feature product tastings, pop-up vendor appearances and special product launches.
Find out more ways the entrepreneurial spirit is cultivated at Belmont!