Even though the focus in the Memphis Medical District is often on incremental development, one of the neighborhood’s more unique projects is about to take a big step forward. Edge Alley, the Medical District’s mixed-use coffeehouse/micro-retail incubator concept, has formalized its inaugural lineup of tenants and expects to set a grand opening date soon.
My Heavenly Creations, Paulette’s Closet, HWD Goods, and 901 Shop were chosen as the first retailers to complement the in-house coffee roaster and café, which will be located in a century-old former chrome-plating shop next to High Cotton Brewery on Monroe Avenue.
“This project is a great example of what small, neighborhood development looks like – somebody who is already entrenched in the neighborhood, building off the current energy and momentum, and is also providing an opportunity for new entrepreneurs coming into the district,” said Abby Miller, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s program and data director.
Miller said that one of the driving factors behind this project was a retail market study her organization commissioned that found the Medical District could support an additional 197,000 square feet of retail across different categories, based on the current population and future growth.