Wishful Thinking on the Corner of Cooper and Young
Wishful Thinking on the Corner of Cooper and Young
The northeast corner of Cooper and Young doesn't seem to be very sticky. The last couple of restaurants didn't impress and didn't last. Since this intersection is the namesake for the Cooper-Young Historic District, it seems like something decent and lasting should be there.
I asked you on Twitter and in person what you'd like to see go in this space (formerly Ink, Cortona, Dish, etc.) and here's what we came up with.
1. Fancy sandwiches and salads. Having another dining option in Cooper Young that is at least vaguely healthy and affordable would be good. Tamp & Tap kind of has this going on already downtown.
2. Cheese shop. We've got Greencork wine bar down the street, why not some cheese to go with it? Side note: I met a cheesemonger once and she was awesome. Let's get a Memphis Cheesemonger. Suggested by @justoffstage, who said specifically "Wall to wall cheese. And crackers."
3. Butcher shop/salumeria/deli. Did I somehow miss Southern Meat Market's reopening? I heard they were moving their location to Park Avenue, but I haven't heard anything else...well, Southern Meat Market, here is a place for you or someone like you. Suggested by @like_a_spiral
4. Bakery. Muddy's Midtown (opening in early 2014) will have cupcakes covered, but Cooper-Young could handle some fresh bread, pastries, and that heavenly scent of baking carbs that we lost when the Wonderbread factory downtown closed. Suggested by @choose901 and @therealmrhollis
5. A co-op studio for art, dance, or music. (Horray! We finally we pulled our greasy fingers out of the food idea pile and came up with something besides a restaurant.) This could be a shared studio where groups and classes would reserve times to use the space. Or something more organized like the Five-In-One Social Club on Broad, but with performing arts. Suggested by @ilikefwords
6. Retail of some kind. @wesmilligan suggested converting the space to retail. Nearby you have: a women's boutique, Burke's Books, Memphis Drum Shop and a few others. What else do y'all want to buy?
7. Educational center. This would be like a library meets an internet cafe meets a tutoring center. Free wifi, free computers to use onsite, with both individual desks and big tables. The staff offers free tutoring to students in need, and the sapce can be reserved for classes, study groups, and nerds in general. Lots and lots and lots of electrical outlets.
Here's a few more ideas, a bit more off the wall...
8. An arcade/game room. A fun place filled with lots of pinball, air hockey, those crazy dance games, Pac Man. By day, it's fun for kids and there are prizes. At night the lights go down, the music goes up, local beer is served, and grownups can play until late.
9. A dance club. It is too much to ask for a dependably dancable club in midtown?
10. Indoor/hydroponic garden. The staff staff sells vegetables, etc. grown onsite, teaches classes on gardening, and sells gardening supplies and tools.
What's your favorite? Got other ideas? Leave 'em in the comments. Maybe an ambitious Memphian will take notice and give one of these ideas a try.
alexandria
Michelle
Caitlin @ Fron…
Shade
Garnier
The Dude
Marina
Rob
Catie
meghan
Michelle R
Ned
Will
Holly Whitfield
Ned - I know right? I'm a little blown away (in a good way) by the response.
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