Nashville: Idea Hatchery
The Idea Hatchery is a collection of local shops in Nashville ranging from a bookstore to food to clothes... It's a cool place to come find and support local business owners. Weekends are open, but double check on opening times during the weekdays.
Beyond those designated spaces, there are also other local shops in the surrounding neighborhood to browse and buy through.
East Nashville itself is a continually up and coming area. Check out this page for a comprehensive itinerary and details about the neighborhood.