Beloved Nashville restaurant owner has died

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A long-time Nashville business owner and beloved community member has died.

Sources told News 2 that Randy Rayburn died from heart failure on Thursday afternoon. He was 74 years old.

“He was a great friend to not only the people who knew him but to all Nashvillians as he was always working to make our city a better place,” Rob Mortensen, director of the Broadway Entertainment Association said. “He worked tirelessly to serve others and lead projects that have become iconic in Nashville. He will be greatly missed.”

Rayburn was a part of Nashville’s restaurant and hospitality industry for more than four decades. He is best known to those in the city for his restaurants Midtown Café and Cabana, but he was also known to his family as a loving husband and father.

“He was a robust guy,” Nashville businessman Barrett Hobbs said. “He always treated me better than I deserved as a young guy just getting rolling in this town. He exemplified hospitality and a good time and will be missed.

In addition to his accomplishments as a business owner and family man, he was also known for volunteering. News 2 spoke with Rayburn about his involvement in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial.

“I needed to take a calculated risk to do my part as a citizen, and as a member of our community, but also really for my family,” Rayburn said at the time.

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“Having lived in Nashville and done business here for years, I can’t count how many times I have dined at a Randy Rayburn restaurant,” councilmember Jeff Eslick told News 2. “From the menu to the decor, Randy‘s restaurants had flair. And you could count on him greeting you with a smile, a smile that will be missed.”

Midtown Cafe released a statement, which reads:

We want to express our profound sorrow at the news of Randy’s passing but our utmost gratitude for him and the impactful life that he lived.

Randy was truly the heart and soul of Midtown Cafe, a champion of Nashville, an innovative businessman and restauranteur and a caring boss, father and friend. Dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming space for all, Randy’s passion for people and the hospitality industry shone through his dedication to culinary excellence and genuine southern hospitality.

We will miss Randy’s dynamic personality and devoted leadership dearly, and we hope that you will join us in celebrating his life and legacy as we navigate this difficult time.

We want to express our appreciation for your continued support and gratitude for being welcomed as a longstanding member of this community.

If you would like to honor your Midtown memories, the restaurant’s doors are open. His dream was to provide continued support for this community and his boys through the legacy of Midtown Cafe. We are here and will remain here.

With heartfelt gratitude,
The Midtown Cafe team

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