Memphis Gets an Edge
Old District, New Life
Back in the mid-twentieth century, Memphis was a smaller, albeit bustling city, steeped in segregation, and experiencing the rising tensions that would catapult it to the center stage of the Civil Rights Movement. The city limit was set to White Station Rd. to the East and to President’s Island to the South and the population hovered just under 400,000. Downtown and Midtown hosted the vast majority of citizens and businesses, and just where those two areas met, between the busy Union and Poplar corridors, set Auto Row. Auto Row was home to the cities’ car dealerships…but also, home of Sun Studio, the actual birthplace of Rock ‘N Roll. As decades rolled by, people moved further east and car dealerships moved north. Sun Studios was the beginning and end to the district. Buildings were abandoned. Businesses closed up. People lived their lives either to the west or east of Auto Row without much thought of what had once been a burgeoning neighborhood of commerce and culture.
The Edge
In the last twenty years, Memphis has been undergoing a cultural transition that long time citizens have long sought after. Downtown has become a flourishing epicenter of culture, arts, and dining. Midtown houses world class medical universities, the charming Overton Square, and most of the cities’ historical residences. In the middle of all that growth and development, Auto Row has emerged again…this time as “The Edge District”, a small but mighty area of the city poised for more life, more attention, and more value in the coming years.
Life on the Edge
The Edge has been evolving more rapidly since 2017 when Edge Alley made its debut as a fine dining spot in an old brick storefront on Monroe Avenue. Offering a special menu of brunch and lunch items paired with house cocktails, Edge Alley has continued to impress diners and encourage attraction to the area.
In the spring of 2022, Inkwell opened its doors on the main strip of the Edge District and began wowing the city with its enticing cocktails, warm interiors, and ideal patio situation. This black-owned bar serves up pretty perfect drinks with local names and themes that will delight Memphians and their guests alike. The food menu is unique too and the popularity of the spot makes for a fun night out.
The Edge Motor Museum was founded in 2019 and pays special homage to the history of the district. Visit the museum to find a carefully curated collection of preserved automobiles that tell the story of the auto industry, give us a glimpse into their storied pasts, and keep the beauty of vintage cars accessible for all. The museum hosts various exhibits throughout the year. Memberships, as well as images of their currently displayed vehicles, are found on their website.
Sabor Caribe brings the vivacious flavors of both Caribbean and Venezuelan cuisine to The Edge. With a gorgeously renovated patio, plenty of space for a large event, and a menu boasting cubanos, arepas, and churros, there’s something for everyone!
The Future of The Edge
It feels like something new is opening up every other week in The Edge. From the recent opening of a new French Truck Coffee to the year-old RootStock Wine Merchants on Madison, the Edge is expanding the livable, workable territory of Downtown Memphis, breathing new life, new opportunities, and new hope for a long forgotten district of the city.