The Business of Brotherhood
by Tom Bailey '85
Ben Goldberg ‘98 and Max Goldberg ‘01 have come a long way since one was voted "most talkative" and the other "biggest flirt" during their respective senior years.
Ben Goldberg ‘98 and Max Goldberg ‘01 have come a long way since one was voted "most talkative" and the other "biggest flirt" during their respective senior years.
From Patterson House to Paradise Park, the Nashville bars and restaurants they own consistently make it to "best of" lists and garner national recognition.
How did they arrive at these lofty heights?
“Just sort of fell into it,” says Ben. “Really, there were two motives. I wanted to do something fun in Nashville and I didn’t want to grow up and have a real job.” From those motives came Bar 23. “It actually worked. People were coming in and spending their money…to the shock of some and dismay of others.”
Quickly it moved from a way to avoid a real job into a career. “I realized I couldn’t do it all on my own, so I called up Max and told him we had a chance to make a real run of it and do something really, really fun together.”
Max was on the corporate track in New York--on his first day of his first job in NYC, they gave him an office, a secretary, a company card, and told him to go downstairs and get a haircut. “They were right, you looked ridiculous,” said Ben.
For both Ben and Max, the most important thing they promised each other was that they would always remember that they were brothers and best friends first and business partners second.
They are both passionate about what they do and continue to have fun. They also, somehow, manage to have lives outside of work. Ben's hobbies are cooking and travel. “Clichéd, I know, but true,” he said. I promised to also say he climbs in the Alps using only his left hand to make him, as he puts it, “sound less boring.”
Max volunteers with the Grace Eaton Childcare Center—Strategic Hospitality will be helping with their fundraiser this April—and also coaches Kipp Academy’s fifth and sixth grade basketball team: The Strategic Hospitality Sharks. “I have a weird fascination with Sharks. I even have one in my house named Sequel because the first one died.” He also likes studying the art of the sublime cocktail.
From his USN days, Ben particularly remembers San Antonio Taco Company. “I tell people all the time that SatCo is my favorite restaurant. Everyone looks at me like I’m crazy, but I think it’s awesome.”
Max’s class was the first to graduate during Vince Durnan’s tenure. A decade after graduation, he and his high school friends have dinner with Vince periodically. “He helped make sure we all stayed connected.”
“USN is an environment where you can be creative and incredibly into sports or science…you’re free to do whatever you want to do. It helps create well rounded individuals and, I think, fosters those close relationships USNers keep after graduating,” said Max.
“For me, I think the freedom to think for yourself was one of the biggest lessons I learned at USN,” said Ben. “We learn to view things differently.” He picks up a chopstick. “As an example, you are encouraged to think that this is not just a chop stick…but think what is the methodology of the chop stick. How did it come to be there and the way it is.”
They both love that the restaurant business forces you to use both sides of your brain. On one hand, the numbers have to work, but on the other, every time you start a project you have a blank canvas where you can create something new and unique.
As for the future, they aren’t sure what their next project will be, but Ben stresses that they want to stretch their creative side and Max knows he has to find a date for Reunion.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement
Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.Read More -
Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.