Paris, TN - November 12, 2025 - In the heart of downtown Paris, Tennessee, a historic building once home to horse and mule auctions, has been transformed into a hub of community and craft. Paris Station—a 23,000-square-foot restaurant, brewery, and tavern—opened its doors in 2024 under the banner of West Tennessee Brewing, a venture created by husband-and-wife team Matt and Anne-Marie Tanner.
Located in one of Henry County’s most storied buildings, the space dates back to 1909 when it served as an auction house. It was more than just a business—it was a gathering space for farmers and a centerpiece of rural commerce.
“We had no idea the history,” Tanner shared. “It was exciting as we pulled back layers of the wall and ceiling to learn more about the building. Once we figured out it was historical and had some value for the community, we knew we needed to keep telling that story. We did a deeper dive and learned that in the early 1900s they would all congregate on the court square in Henry County and then use the auction as their main hub. Eventually, as they phased out horses and mules, the Chamber of Commerce decided to turn Mule Day into the fish fry, so they could keep that tradition of everyone gathering and fellowship—everyone gathering for the community…It’s exciting for us to highlight the best of West Tennessee.”
That spirit of community continues inside Paris Station today. Guests are welcomed into a cozy dining area on one side and a more open, interactive space on the other—featuring an astroturf lawn perfect for cornhole and casual conversation over craft beer.
“We are never limited by weather or the elements,” said Tanner. “We can always have an indoor/outdoor event.”
Paris Station offers a rotating menu of unique dishes alongside a full calendar of live music, comedy nights, and community events. The building also hosts other local small businesses, further reinforcing its role as a community cornerstone. With a modular layout, the space easily shifts to accommodate private events, expanding its function as both a taproom and a venue.
The broader mission behind Paris Station and West Tennessee Brewing is clear: revitalize small rural downtowns through food, drink, and connection.
The Tanners envision satellite taprooms popping up across the region to form a network of revitalized spaces—what they refer to as a “ale trail” of commerce throughout West Tennessee.
That community-first philosophy also informs what ends up in every glass. The brewing team creates seasonal flavors based on traditional tastes and input from local farmers.
“Paris Station is a craft brewery, so we home brew all of our craft beers with seasonal ingredients,” explained Tanner. “That’s sort of our main focus here, but we also have food and beverage items.”
While expanding to new locations is part of the plan, the Tanners are equally focused on creating lasting impact in the communities they serve—starting with jobs.
“What makes me take pride in small business and the ownership of that is we are creating jobs that weren’t here before and I think it gives us a lot of pride knowing we can create commerce jobs and a future for areas that have very limited opportunities, so our employees consist of a lot of families and we love that we have become part of their family and legacy and create jobs, giving them something to look forward to in the future,” explained Tanner.
“The opportunity is great,” she added. “It is much easier than what you think. I think there is real estate that is still available and affordable. I think there are lots of great resources for entrepreneurs and the entry to start a business is a lot lower than it probably would be in more metropolitan areas. There is still a great pool of employees out there and finding those employees is a little easier because you are in a small area and word gets out there quicker. So, I encourage small businesses to launch now and not wait for the parachute, just go ahead and jump.”
Learn more about Paris Station by visiting their website at: https://www.parisstationtn.com/.
About The Mill Workspace: The Mill Workspace, a DBA of Northwest Tennessee Entrepreneurship, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 entrepreneur center located in Dyersburg, TN and focused on serving entrepreneurs in the nine counties of Northwest Tennessee. They help businesses through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and multi-week programs all designed to help businesses in the region start up and grow.
Programs at The Mill are funded in part by a grant from LaunchTN.
