Stories

Development News Hotel Indigo rendering

Innovative lighting design marks new downtown boutique hotel renovation

Work is underway on the renovation of a former Econo Lodge that closed in November into a Hotel Indigo downtown at the corner of Court Avenue and B.B. King Blvd.

Feature Story A view of St. Thomas Catholic Church in South Memphis. (Houston Cofield)

This place in history: Abandoned buildings and forgotten Memphis

How many of these abandoned buildings in Memphis are you familiar with? 

Feature Story Laura Wheeler has worked at Westy's for one year. (Brandon Dahlberg)

Westy’s turns 35 as The Pinch turns a corner

Most of The Pinch’s businesses closed shop or moved out years ago, but Westy’s has stayed the storm for 35 years with its winning combination of great food and a deep commitment to its historic community.

Feature Story The buildings will undergo extensive interior and exterior renovations this year.

Strong growth leads LEO Events to renovate Edge District buildings

A deteriorating former automobile service facility in the Edge District is getting a new life as prime office space, as rapidly growing LEO Events is in the process of renovating the buildings at 407 and 411 Monroe Avenue to take over as its new corporate headquarters by the end of the year.


Feature Story The Bellevue Middle School majorettes perform on March 29 during a foster care awareness parade.

Klondike-Smokey City foster care festival advocates for keeping children in their communities

The collaboration that hosts the annual Klondike-Smokey City foster care awareness parade says its more than just fun; the event is a major part of their effort to keep kids out of the Department of Children Services system and in their own communities.


Feature Story A volunteer at a 2018 planting day for Plant the Parkways. (Submitted)

Plant the Parkways initiative beautifies medians and brings together neighbors

North, East and South Parkway are getting a little color as volunteers have pledged to plant 1,000 flowering trees along the Parkways’ 8.5 miles of medians.

Feature Story Applause and cheers erupted as the first of the trolleys was guided out of the garage and onto Main St. to await the ribbon cutting. (Shelda Edwards)

Main Street trolleys hit the tracks again

It’s been four years in the making, but Memphis’ trolleys have finally returned. Once deemed too dangerous to ride, they’re now said to be the safest in the country.


Feature Story Judges evaluate submissions to the airport's student art competition. (Submitted)

Student art competition sets the scene for airport modernization

An updated aesthetic isn’t the only change going on at the airport. With the upcoming modernization of B concourse, airlines, restaurants and retail are relocating to A and C concourses. 

Development News UTHSC CHIPS building

UTHSC opens $40M patient simulator center

After roughly three years under construction, the new $39.7 million Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation (CHIPS) at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will finally open its doors on May 11 for its grand opening.


Feature Story Valerie Peavy, owner of the Office @ Uptown, poses for a portrait. Her cafe opened in 2013. (Brandon Dahlberg)

Welcome to Uptown, the biggest small town in Memphis

Located just north of the Downtown core, Uptown feels more like a close-knit small town than an urban neighborhood. Today it’s a small town on the verge of something big, and High Ground is going On the Ground to tell its stories.

Feature Story The Hurt Village public housing project constructed in the 1950's was for whites-only. (Affordable Housing Institute)

Uptown & The Pinch: How Memphis’ oldest subdivision became its newest boom town

Uptown and The Pinch began as a bustling subdivision for the wealthy that was nearly destroyed by racist housing policies and government neglect. Now it’s gearing up to become Memphis’ next big thing.  

Feature Story Students complete a science scavenger hunt on April 17th at Hillcrest High. (Kirstin Cheers)

One Whitehaven community. Two high schools. A few turnaround options.

Whitehaven residents reflect on the legacy of Hillcrest High School, which was taken over by the Achievement School District in 2015, and Whitehaven High School, which became the nucleus of the Empowerment Zone in 2016. 

Feature Story Madison and Mallory Iyadunni appeared on the show Shark Tank in 2016 to pitch their skin care line Angels and Tomboys. (Submitted)

All in the family: Sisters open side-by-side shops on Summer Avenue

Headed to Summer Avenue are a popcorn and tea lounge and a tween-targeted skincare store where young girls can mix their own lotions and lipglosses. 

Feature Story Whitehaven panel

Video: Why Whitehaven is a 'hidden gem'

When most people think of Whitehaven, they may think of Elvis Presley's Graceland estate. But the neighborhood, which boasts a strong community of homeowners and entrepreneurs, has so much more to offer.

Feature Story A Viking mascot watches over Hillcrest High School in Whitehaven. (Brandon Dahlberg)

Opinion: Hillcrest High School prepares students for success

Karen Garrett, parent of a graduating senior at Hillcrest High School, shares her experience in the Whitehaven school.

Featured Post Betty Jones demonstrates the dosing mechanism of her insulin shot. She takes one dose in the morning and one does in the evening every day. (Brandon Dahlberg)

In photos: Living with diabetes in Whitehaven

A photo essay follows the daily trials of Betty Jones, 72, who lives with diabetes and receives care at Whitehaven's Methodist South hospital.

Feature Story Rachel Sikes plans her next move up one of the walls at Memphis Rox. (Brandon Dahlberg)

The Making of Memphis Rox: South Memphis' massive rock climbing gym

Hollywood and Soulsville intersect at Memphis Rox, a newly opened climbing gym that gives back to the South Memphis community. 

Feature Story Maggie Louie, founder of DEV/CON DETECT.

Memphis-based tech startup takes hackers to court

Fake ads can reroute online traffic into a digital tunnel of money laundering. One Memphis-based company is stamping out this new type of criminal activity with innovative tech-based security.

Development News BOGARD

Pay-it-forward Overton Square restaurant feeds funds to the Mid-South Food Bank

New restaurateurs Edward Bogard and Preston Butts Jr., along with co-owner and former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, are prepping to open their first restaurant venture, BOGARD, by August in Overton Square.

Feature Story South City construction underway

$210M South City construction delayed but now underway

Construction is finally underway on the $210 million mixed-use redevelopment project at the former site of Foote Homes, the city’s last public housing community, in South City. Site work is happening now, and vertical construction will get started in the next couple of months.