Food Files: First Watch poised to open second Memphis location
Lemon ricotta pancakes are a customer favorite at First Watch. (Courtesy First Watch)
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First Watch looks at Wolfchase space
First Watch is eyeing the On the Border space at 8101 Giacosa Place for a second Memphis location.
The “breakfast, brunch or lunch” restaurant filed a permit with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development.
According to the permit’s letter of intent filed by Texas-based CDS Development, First Watch would modify the interior, remove the outside patio and update the building’s exterior.
The letter said the footprint of the building would not change, but the outdoor area would be replaced with landscaping.
The building, which sits on 1.72 acres, would have 274 seats and 137 parking spaces, according to the proposed site plan with the permit.
Mackenzie Garrett, a representative from First Watch, said the company cannot confirm the location but does have a “robust real estate development pipeline.”
“At this time, we’re unable to confirm any additional specific locations in that area,” Garrett said.
TSCG brokers Danny Buring, Robert Sloan and Jon Isbell represent the landlord for the Wolfchase site.
Buring said On the Border still occupies and operates in the building.
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina filed for bankruptcy in March, shuttering company-operated locations early this year.
The Wolfchase location is owned by a franchisee and is the last remaining On the Border operating in the state.
Founded in California in 1983, First Watch now has more than 600 locations nationwide.
It opened its first local restaurant on Sept. 22 at 7810 Poplar Ave., the former Chili’s Grill & Bar in Germantown.
Garrett previously told The Daily Memphian that First Watch has a regional expansion plan, which includes the Germantown location.
First Watch in Germantown is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Raven & Lily Restaurant closed
The Collierville location opened in 2018 by Chef Justin and Amy Young but was previously located in Oakland. (Abigail Warren/The Daily Memphian)
Collierville’s Raven & Lily Restaurant on Town Square has closed.
The owners of the “southern eclectic bistro,” 120 E. Mulberry St., announced the closure on Wednesday, Oct. 1, on social media.
“I hate typing this,” the post said. “We put everything we had into keeping her open, but it became impossible.”
The Collierville location opened in 2018 by Chef Justin and Amy Young but was previously located in Oakland.
The post, which has more than 250 comments, thanked the Raven & Lily customers, staff, landlord and the community.
“I love R&L Collierville and am typing through tears,” the post said. “Thank you all for everything. This truly breaks my heart.”
Raven & Lily Court at 101 W. Court Square in Somerville remains open.
A note on the door of Collierville’s Raven & Lily Restaurant on Town Square announces it has closed. (Abigail Warren/The Daily Memphian)
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken opens
Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken will open in the former City Silo in the Sanderlin Center. (Courtesy The Splinter Group)
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken will have its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 11, for its new East Memphis location.
The restaurant opened on Monday, Sept. 29, at 5101 Sanderlin Ave., the former City Silo location.
“We look forward to serving our scratch-made breakfast biscuits and Righteous Chicken for lunch in East Memphis and know diners are going to fall in love with the food and tech-forward, fast-serve concept,” Spencer Burgon said in a release.
Burgon also owns the Rise in Germantown, located at 7535 Poplar Ave., and another in Nashville.
The grand opening event, starting at 7 a.m., will feature free limited-edition stickers for the first 200 customers and several drawings for free Rise food and prizes.
Rise East Memphis will be donating 10% of its grand opening day sales to St. Mary’s Episcopal School.
The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Topics
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Sophia Surrett
Sophia Surrett is a University of Alabama graduate, where she received her B.A. in news media and M.A. in journalism and media studies. She covers small business, nonprofits, restaurant real estate, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics.
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