2020
November
The November Member Meeting was conducted virtually with an online election for the 2021 Board of Directors. Chance Carlisle, CEO of the Carlisle Corporation was the featured guest speaker, and provided an update on the Landing Residences at One Beale, downtown’s new luxury apartments and the Hyatt Centric Beale Street Hotel. The project is ahead of schedule and offering hard hat tours. Three new businesses were also featured, including custom cupcakes and sweets from Cupcake Cutie (300 South Main), the latest gift boutique shop, Feelin’ Memphis (509 South Main) and modern homemade ceramics by Brit McDaniel at Paper & Clay (525 South Main). The results of the board elections can be found here.
2019 Member Meetings
November
The final South Main Member Meeting of the year was held at the Arcade Restaurant on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 6:00 pm. The Arcade Restaurant is celebrating its 100th anniversary and featured its popular “breakfast” menu. Think sweet potato pancakes and all your breakfast favs with an open bar. The Arcade is located on South Main Street directly across from the Central Station Hotel and Train Station. Owners Jeffrey Zepatos and Central Station Hotel General Manager Jeremy Sadler served as our guest speakers. The meeting included a community social, followed by the Board of Directors election, presentations, announcements and an introduction of new members.
Arcade Restaurant | 540 South Main Street | 6:00 pm
October
The South Main Member Meeting was held at BarWare on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm. The newly opened bar and restaurant features craft cocktails and elevated bar menu with an adjacent juice and smoothie bar - JuiceBrothers - and an outdoor patio. BarWare is located on the first floor of the 266 MEM Lofts on Front Street across from the Old Dominick Distillery. Libby Ware Wunderlich, Owner was the guest speaker. The meeting began at 6:00 pm with a community social, followed by presentations, announcements and an introduction of new members. SMA members and neighbors joined for an inside look at this elegant new bar and restaurant. The drinks and the food was provided by the BarWare.
BarWare | 276 South Front Street | 6:00 pm
September
The South Main Member Meeting was held at Slider Out on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 6:00 pm. The newly developed outdoor space sits in front of the new Slider Inn due to open soon in the heart of the South Main Historic Arts District. One of the few remaining green spaces on Main Street, Slider Out features outdoor amenities including bar and food service areas plus room for a music stage. Restauranteur Aldo Dean, Owner and Eric Bourgeois, Marketing Director were the featured speakers. Aldo also owns Aldo’s Pizza Pies, Bardog Tavern, Monroe Street Festival and Tapbox. The meeting began at 6:00 pm with a community social, followed by presentations, announcements and an introduction of new members. Fellow SMA members and neighbors enjoyed a fun evening outdoors and got the inside scoop on the new Slider Inn. Sliders and Jameson Slushies were be provided by Slider Inn.
Slider Out & Slider Inn | 364 South Main Street | 6:00 pm
August
The South Main Member Meeting was held at the Powerhouse Malco Cinema & Grill on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 6:00 pm. The newly opened Powerhouse Cinema features seven screens with the state-of-the-art 200-seat MXT auditorium featuring luxury recliners, bar, grill and patio adjacent to Central Station and the Farmer’s Market in the heart of South Main. The Malco management staff was on hand to introduce us to the theater and some background on the development of the theater complex. Plus, we had exciting news about the Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum re-opening soon. The drinks were generously sponsored by Kirby Wines and Liquors, and the food was provided by Malco Cinema Grill.
Powerhouse Malco Cinema & Grill | 540 South Front Street | 6:00 pm
July
The South Main Member Meeting was held at the River Garden on the Fourth Bluff on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 6:00 pm. The newly opened River Garden features an elevated treehouse and pavilion with lots of green space and lovely river views. The Memphis River Parks staff offered an introduction to the exciting new activities happening on our riverfront. The meeting began at 6:00 pm with a complimentary yoga session up in Memphis Park. The meeting presentations followed the introduction of new members and and a special board members. Come join your fellow SMA members and neighbors for an inside look and interactive experience on the river. The drinks were generously sponsored by Kirby Wines and Liquors, and the food was provided by the 4th Cup Coffee Shop.
River Garden | Riverside Drive between Court and Jefferson | 6:00 pm
June
The South Main Member Meeting was held at Rizzo’s Diner on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 6:00 pm. Chef and Owner Michael Patrick was the featured speaker and shared exciting news and details about the new developments and plans for Rizzo’s. The restaurant opened for business in 2011, and has been a mainstay for the neighborhood ever since. They recently completed a renovation, and will continue to bring their famous Southern-Inspired cuisine to South Main. Fellow SMA members and neighbors packed the house for an inside look at and taste of this favorite eatery. The drinks were sponsored by Kirby Wines and Liquors, and the food was provided by Rizzo’s. Robert Marcy, the new director of the Memphis Farmer’s Market and Terica Lamb of MLGW also shared information about upcoming events and developments.
Rizzo’s Diner | 492 South Main Street | 6:00 pm
May
The South Main Member Meeting was held at Swanky’s Taco Shop on May 14, 2019 at 6:00 pm. Jake Moore, Assistant General Manager, Swanky’s Taco Shop will be the featured speaker. He shared exciting news and details about the newest restaurant at the Chisca on Main. The restaurant quietly opened for business on May 1, 2019, and has been busy ever since. They are excited about hosting special events on the outside patio and bringing their famous Tex-Mex cuisine to South Main. Fellow SMA members and neighbors got an inside look at this exciting new eatery. Parker Pell of QuikFix, one of South Main newest business members shared information about their new office, home and event services business where they employ over 700 college students to help with odd jobs, furniture assembly, heavy lifting, event set up, etc. The South Main artist spotlight featured Kenneth Alexander from Artspace Memphis. Visit noviworld.art for a closer look at his beautiful paintings and motion art. The drinks were sponsored by Kirby Wines and Liquors, and the food was provided by Swanky’s.
Swanky’s Taco Shop | 272 South Main Street | 6:00 pm
April
The South Main Member Meeting was held at the Old Dominick Distillery on April 9, 2019 at 6:00 pm. Zach Smith, Director of Public Relations, Old Dominick will be the featured speaker. He shared exciting news and details about the upcoming Spirits and Soul Fest | Trolley Night on April 26, 2019. The new whiskey trail event was hosted by the Tennessee Whiskey Guild and presented by Old Dominick in partnership with the South Main Association. Robert Griffin, VP of Marketing for Memphis in May shared news about their upcoming events and the Memphis Bicentennial. Fellow SMA members and neighbors got an inside look at this exciting new festival. The South Main artist spotlight included Talibah Safiya and her beautiful jewelry. The drinks were sponsored by Kirby Wines and Liquors, and the food was provided by the Arcade Restaurant.
Old Dominick Distillery | 305 South Front Street | 6:00 pm
March
The South Main Member Meeting was held at the Talent Development Complex on March 12, 2019 at 6:00 pm. Fenton Wright, Vice President and Executive Director of Consortium MMT was the featured speaker. He shared the history and mission behind Consortium MMT, including its founder Hall of Fame songwriter, David Porter. The Talent Development Complex houses the SoulRight mentorship program, emerging stars network and music resource center. Pop/Soul singer/songwriter Kady Roxz performed two of her original songs. Poet Njeri Fombi also shared her story of growing up on Beale Street in our inaugural artist spotlight. SMA members and neighbors toured of the recording and performance studios. The bar were sponsored by Kirby Wines and Liquors, and the delicious Greek treats were provided by the Grecian Gourmet Taverna.
Talent Development Complex | 119 South Main Street | 6:00 pm
February
The South Main Member Meeting was held at the Beale Street Landing on February 12, 2019 at 6:00 pm. George Abbott, Director of External Affairs for the Memphis River Parks Partnership was the featured speaker. He shared the exciting new plans for the design and restoration of the 30-acre river parks along the Mississippi River. The new Engagement Center includes models, plans, renderings and 3-D visuals of the new parks. SMA members and neighbors were among the first to view the new plans.
Beale Street Landing | 251 Riverside Drive | 6:00 pm
January
The South Main Member Meeting was held at the Clayborn Temple on January 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm. Anasa Troutman, Executive Director of the Clayborn Temple was the featured speaker. She shared the history of this important National landmark as well as the plans for its ongoing restoration. SMA members and neighbors enjoyed the first South Main gathering of the new year.
Clayborn Temple | 294 Hernando Street | 6:00 pm
