Shannon in the News
Shannon Briggs
Cover Story: Crosstown Concourse's Underground ...

An estimated 3,000 people visit Crosstown Concourse each day, most of them working for or a customer, client or patient of one of the building’s tenants. There are also more than 260 apartments on the property as well as a high school that just opened its doors for its first class of 125 freshmen.

In addition to all the people who visit Crosstown daily since it opened in August 2017, there is also a steady stream of people showing up to do freelance assignments or to work remotely from their employer’s or home office.

Cover Story: Crosstown Concourse's Underground Economy (Part 2)
Shannon in the News
Shannon Briggs
Getting Started: Business advice for founders

Shannon Little left her job in marketing with the Huey's restaurant chain in Memphis to start her own solo marketing and social media venture. Such ventures at first glance might seem like a dime a dozen, leaving her with a task that had to be addressed before meeting with her first client.

She now handles marketing and social media efforts for several small businesses and is able to juggle all the tasks that go with that because she took the time to form a plan for herself at the very beginning.

"Define your target audience, your offerings and what value those offerings can bring to that audience," Little said, "My business became stronger, and my processes more streamlined, when I was able to define those terms."

Getting Started: Business advice for founders

Shop Local: The Ivory Closet

Shop Local: The Ivory Closet

If there’s one thing I know about y’all, it’s that you’re all about supporting locally-owned and homegrown businesses in Memphis. In today’s Shop Local feature, I talk with Alexandra Scharff about her experience starting multiple businesses – including makeup and clothing lines – and opening The Ivory Closet in Memphis in 2012.

Alex (who sometimes goes by Alexandra Nicole) didn’t ask me to mention it, but if you’re a fan of fashion, you should check out her lifestyle blog, City Chic Living and give her, The Ivory Closet, and the Bluff City Lights gals a follow on Instagram.

See more at ILoveMemphisBlog

The 10 Best Cake Shops in Tennessee!

The 10 Best Cake Shops in Tennessee!

In Tennessee, cake is like sweet tea: no meal is complete without it. This delicious anything-goes dessert is highly celebrated for a reason: it’s the go-to sweet for birthdays, weddings, business events, family dinners, and any other time you need a little pick-me-up. Of course, there’s never a bad time to bite into a slice of your favorite cake, and you’ll find plenty of new and old favorites at these 10 best cake shops in Tennessee. 

6. Muddy’s Bake Shop, Memphis, TN

Muddy’s has made quite a splash in the Memphis culinary community. Their bakery cases are filled with some of the most delicious cakes and cupcakes for on-the-go dessert-ing. Or, you can partner with them to create a special cake just for you. Take heed—they’ve been known to sell out, so you’ll want to stop here early and (try to) save your treat for later.

Whiskey Warmer, other events

Whiskey Warmer, other events

Coming up lickety split is the Whiskey Warmer, March 23rd at Overton Square. 

This event is for EVERYONE who loves whiskey. A ticket gets you 15 tastes from such purveyors as Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, George Dickel, CORSAIR, Southern Comfort,  and Old Dominick Distillery. 

Event features local food and music, with benefits going to Volunteer Memphis. Be there. 

* Gray Canary, the latest from Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, is holding its grand opening next Tuesday, February 20th, starting at 6 p.m. Looks like it's going to be a blow-out. 

Vintage 901 Food & Wine Festival 2018

Vintage 901 Food & Wine Festival 2018

Celebrate spring at the second annual Vintage 901 food and wine weekend in Memphis this year.

Vintage 901 has three days of awesome foodie and wine events, some of the best local chefs, and hundreds of wines from around the world. 

Here’s the rundown:

Friday: The Grand Tasting at Crosstown Concourse

Not to sell this too hard, but I’m surprised that tickets are only $65 for this event. You’ll get food samples from a half-dozen local restaurants and shops and access to 70 – yes seventy – wine tastings prepared by the Grand Sommelier Laurie Foster.

See more at IloveMemphisBlog

Recent Daily Life Sketches

Recent Daily Life Sketches

I've been doing some random sketches scattered into the main work of book manuscript and painting. Here are a batch of them, including two different trips to Muddy's bake shop. Cupcakes were called for.

I've also been working more intentionally on people practice lately. I have to get myself out of the house and away from my easel to do this, though. 

Get Tickets Now: Vintage901 Festival 2018

Get Tickets Now: Vintage901 Festival 2018

Calling all wine lovers: The second annual Vintage901 Festival returns March 2nd through March 4th.

Vintage901 is a three-day wine festival taking place in unique spaces while featuring the best in artisanal wines, a myriad of local food tastings, and plenty of music.

Check out the lineup of events:

  • Friday, March 2nd – Grand Tasting – Crosstown Concourse – 6pm to 9pm – $65
    • Friday’s Grand Tasting at Crosstown Concourse will include an evening of wine tastings prepared by Grand Sommelier Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach and food selections from local restauranteurs. Tickets are $65 and will be available at the door.

See more at Choose901

Mid-South cakes named best on Food Network List

Mid-South cakes named best on Food Network List

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -

Food Network has named two cakes from the Mid-South on its list of best cakes in the state.  

The Pucker Up Cake from Memphis-based Muddy's Bake Shop was named best in Tennessee, and the Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake at Billie's Pecans in Crenshaw was named best in Mississippi. 

The Pucker Up Cake is made with real lemons in both the batter and frosting, which makes the cake tender and a bright citrus flavor.

Muddy's was, of course, excited to be featured:

See more at WMC Action News 5

Muddy's Bake Shop featured in Food Network's best cake list

Muddy's Bake Shop featured in Food Network's best cake list

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Food Network has tapped a Mid-South favorite as having one of the best cakes in the country.

When creating their “50 States of Cake” list, the Food Network selected their go-to desserts in each state, but only one could be crowned best in taste. That honor was ultimately claimed by the Pucker Up cake from Muddy’s Bake Shop.

Muddy’s responded to the prestigious honor on social media Friday morning.

“WOW!! We are SO HONORED to rep Tennessee in this @FoodNetwork article! We’re in delicious company for sure!!”

The article itself is right on the front page of the Food Network’s website, and with an average 9.9 million site views a month, there’s bound to be even more people day dreaming about having a treat at Muddy’s.

South Memphis teens organize community bike ride

South Memphis teens organize community bike ride

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A group of teens in South Memphis are inviting people to participate in a bike ride through their neighborhood.

The Big Jump Teen Ambassadors are organizing a free community ride Saturday, March 24 from 2-4 p.m.

The South Memphis Glide Ride will take scenic views through South Memphis and demonstrate how improving bicycle facilities and connectivity in South Memphis will improve the neighborhood.

2018 Memphis St. Patrick's Day Guide

2018 Memphis St. Patrick's Day Guide

It’s time for the annual wearing of the green in Memphis, where the Irish and Irish Americans have played a rich role in the city’s history and growth. You’ll find a list of prominent Irish Memphians in history if you scroll a bit farther.

So here’s to the Irish….for all their contributions to Memphis. And here’s a list of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the 901.

Overton Square St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, March 16 – 18, TBA, Family Friendly
Details to be announced soon about St. Patrick’s Day events in The Square.

See more at ILoveMemphisBlog

A Future for All

A Future for All

We Love (Some of) Memphis.

That's the message I got after reading about recent developments from the Cooper-Young Neighborhood Watch. Earlier this year, the Cooper-Young Business Association partnered with the Shelby County District Attorney's office in its "anti-trespassing program." The program, which started from the DA's office to "discourage incidents of loitering and criminal trespass" in apartment complexes, has expanded to cover commercial properties and now has over a dozen businesses signed up in the Cooper-Young area.

For businesses who participate in the program, this means that the police are given authorization of agency. Authorization of agency would typically require businesses to fill out a form against specifically named persons outlining that they are not allowed on property or else they will be charged with criminal trespassing. This program throws all of that out the window. Without warning, people can be arrested for criminal trespassing on first offense. Anyone can use their judgment to deem someone of trespassing, and the police can make arrests with or without a complaint made. Does that sound familiar? Targeting a person because you think they might commit a crime. Anyone? What is profiling?

Loeb expands Overton Square brand with new infill Development

Loeb expands Overton Square brand with new infill Development

"They view it as a chance to expand the boundaries and be able to say there's multifamily in their development."

Plant the Parkways, meet your neighbors

Plant the Parkways, meet your neighbors

Thousands of commuters use North, South and East Parkway every day daily. The Memphis Parkway System and its eight-plus miles of medians connect 10 Memphis zip codes housing more than 225,000 residents.

People love the Parkways and how they frame our city center. Yet, we have taken the 100-year-old Parkways for granted.

50 States of Cakes

50 States of Cakes

It’s not a party without cake — and whether you like a simple buttery Bundt or an impressive multilayered confection, there’s no shortage of ways to end a celebration on a sweet note.

Pucker Up at Muddy’s Bake Shop – Memphis, Tennessee

The aptly named Pucker Up cake is made with real lemons — “lots of them!” according to Muddy's Bake Shop owner Kat Gordon. The tart fruit goes into both the batter and the buttercream, both of which boast top-notch ingredients (real butter, cage-free eggs and organic whole milk) that help produce a tender cake packed with bright citrus flavor.

The Week Ahead: Feb. 12-18, 2018

The Week Ahead: Feb. 12-18, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The 50th anniversary of the historic sanitation workers’ strike is remembered this week, a Pulitzer Prize winning author visits to speak about innovation and we get to hear the first declaration of “Play Ball” this year by an umpire at FedExPark. Oh, and don’t forget the waffles.

It was 50 years ago Monday that Memphis sanitation workers went on strike following the death of workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker, who were crushed in a truck’s trash compactor. The strike quickly became much more than a labor dispute, drawing national attention and the presence of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. On the 50th anniversary of the start of the strike, Rev. William Barber, the leader of a new Poor People’s Campaign, will be the featured speaker at a 3 p.m. rally at Clayborn Temple, 249 Hernando St. Barber is the Goldsboro, North Carolina, minister leading the larger Moral Mondays movement that began as protests in North Carolina’s state capital of Raleigh in 2013. King was organizing a Poor People’s Campaign protest in Washington, D.C., at the time of the strike and his assassination on April 4, 1968. Monday’s rally will also include calls for a $15 minimum wage.

Memphis Travel

Memphis Travel

MEMPHIS TRAVEL: a total Memphis guide broken down into 7 categories…Enjoy!

MEMPHIS TRAVEL

Hi friends! I’m so excited to FINALLY share my Memphis guide with y’all. This post is in collaboration with @MEMPHISTRAVEL – be sure to check them out for all things Memphis : )

I’ll be sharing 7 categories with all of my favorite spots in the 901.

First up…pre & post-Grizzlies games (here are my suggestions)

See more at Newlyag

5 Things To Do This Weekend: 2/9 - 2/11

5 Things To Do This Weekend: 2/9 - 2/11

Happy Friday, Memphis! Here are five things to do this weekend, plus a few extras.

1. Ameripolitan Awards Weekend, Loflin/Guest House at Graceland, all weekend, free/prices vary, 18+
It’s a new Memphis music fest! Celebrate Americana music (and bluegrass, rockabilly, classic country, and more) with bands from around the world. There’s a free showcase at Loflin Yard on Friday at 9 p.m., plus shows for wristband holders on Saturday and Sunday.

2. Mardi Gras Parties
Fat Tuesday isn’t until next week, but you have a couple ways to celebrate this Saturday.

The Memphis Weekender: February 9-11

The Memphis Weekender: February 9-11

With all the great things going on in the 901 these days, have you ever been overwhelmed with choices? Well, you’re in luck! Every week we curate The Weekender, a post filled with a handy schedule to help you hit some of our best bets for an amazing weekend.

You can follow this schedule to a T, or use it as a launching point to plan your own adventure! The Weekender is not meant to be exhaustive, but will include our suggestions to help you plan the weekend ahead. In the case of inclement weather, check with each event’s page for updates.

Potential project could bring new apartments to Overton Square

Potential project could bring new apartments to Overton Square

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Midtown project could bring 16 new apartments to the Overton Square area.

The Flats of Overton Square is being planned for a vacant lot on the corner of Monroe and Diana.

LaSonya Hall works for Graduate Memphis, and works with plenty millennials. She told FOX13 this is a building Midtown needs.

“I think that any time that there’s an opportunity to bring new housing developments and an opportunity to bring new innovative young millennials to the area, I think it’s awesome,” she said.

The project would include 16 apartments. Four of them would be live/work spaces, which means can live in the same spot their office is located.

The Memphis Weekender: February 2-4

The Memphis Weekender: February 2-4

With all the great things going on in the 901 these days, have you ever been overwhelmed with choices? Well, you’re in luck! Every week we curate The Weekender, a post filled with a handy schedule to help you hit some of our best bets for an amazing weekend.

You can follow this schedule to a T, or use it as a launching point to plan your own adventure! The Weekender is not meant to be exhaustive, but will include our suggestions to help you plan the weekend ahead. In the case of inclement weather, check with each event’s page for updates.

EMAIL ME: SHANNONRLITTLE@GMAIL.COM